Meet Nakesha

About 6 months ago, Nakesha contacted me in regards to one of my sessions she had seen linked to one of her Facebook friends.   She is an aspiring photographer here in the valley, and wanted to know if we could met for coffee.  About two months later, we finally sat down to chat.  She expressed her passion for photography, and felt she was stuck in first gear so to speak and was looking for some guidance.

I was very hesitant in the beginning as I do not feel ready to “teach” anyone at this stage in my career, but I felt led to give her what time I could.  Nakesha shadowed me at a handful of sessions, and decided we would move forward into a Mentorship in January.

Nakesha is also carrying her second baby due in March!  Perfect timing for her to be perfecting her craft.:)

So,  Miss Nakesha will be assisting and shooting along side me at a few sessions starting in May.  Your going to LOVE her.:)

Here is a little interview I gave her before I started the mentorship to give me an idea of who she is and what she is hoping to gain out this. I thought you might enjoy learning about her too.

She didn't realize "pack mule" was part of the deal. HA!

A:  Why did you start shooting pictures?

N: I started shooting pictures because I wanted to take the best possible pictures of my daughter and my digital camera wasn’t cutting it! As soon as I got it I just could never put it down. All I wanted to do was learn more. It was the best investment I’ve ever made because now I have stunning pictures of my daughter from all ages of her life!

A: What inspires you?

N: Usually what inspires me most about photography is big open fields! Cliché I’m sure, but every time I see an amazing field picture, I will look at it so many times! Something about them touches my heart, I’m not sure why. I have been reading Captivating by John and Stasi Eldridge and in it they talk about God romancing you in the small things, like a beautiful smell, a song that makes your heart sing, and for me I think he romances me by beautiful scenery.

A:What do you LOVE to photograph?

N: I LOVE to photograph my daughter the most!;)I like taking pictures of children because you don’t have to be so serious, you can act like an idiot and it just makes them happy. They are very difficult though.

A: What do you ultimately want to learn from me and why?

N: EVERYTHING! Haha… But more specifically, I want to learn my camera functions, how it works and why one mode is better than another in different circumstances. I also want to learn Photoshop, and more about composition and lighting.


January 21, 2010 - 12:26 pm

Kelly Harper - Nakesha sounds a lot like me! Just starting out, inspired by fields, and learning like a sponge… taking it all in… AND, LOVE the book Captivating too! Hubster and I are seeing J and S Eldridge this Sunday at a marriage seminar!

January 21, 2010 - 7:33 pm

Nicole Kberg - She is one lucky gal…maybe you should start holding workshops? ;o)

January 21, 2010 - 8:57 pm

Tammy Chavies - Nakesha, you are where I want to be!! Have fun with Amanda and soak it all in. Amanda, thank you again for being willing to give back. I just wish I was closer so you could give some of it to me! ;) Have fun together ladies!

January 22, 2010 - 12:54 am

Allison - She is so lucky… :)
I would really love it if sometime down the road you did do workshops. Your photography is amazing.

January 22, 2010 - 12:49 pm

Nakesha - Kelly, I am so envious that you get to see John and Stasi at a seminar! I hope you learn a lot of new and amazing things about your marriage! And thanks to everyone for your support, I am so excited to be starting this journey with Amanda as my teacher, she is amazing! I feel so blessed!

January 22, 2010 - 4:04 pm

Carolina Guzik - AWESOME! What a great opportunity for both of you :)

January 24, 2010 - 11:16 pm

Sheila Gunderson - Amanda, thank you for inspiring our beautiful daughter. We have always believed in Nakesha and we know she has multiple talents that the Lord had hidden deep within her. We can’t wait to see them brought to the surface for the world to experience. We know that you will be an exceptional mentor to her and we are blessed as parents to see her blossom… May God’s love be with you both as you explore all God has for you both!!! And just an FYI to Keshy, I love their book too!!!

February 2, 2010 - 9:13 pm

Jessy - Aw Kesh looks adorable!