3.09.2010

Signature Homestyles


Just wanted to share how super duper excited I am to have my first Signature Homestyles party. I decided to make an idea, inspiration, and i-love-parties binder. If any of you have any cool party ideas that I can share with future hosts, please let me know! kjniang@yahoo.com

Birthdays & Bowling


Our next GNO sounds like it may have a few bowling balls involved. What the girls do not know is that there is going to be some serious competition on their hands. I get to go to a bowling birthday party this weekend!! Caden, my nephew, turns 6. Oz, Iba, and I decided to come along and celebrate. Not only will I enjoy the company of my family and eating pizza, I will get some major practicing in.

2.28.2010

Fondue or Fondon't...definitely Fondue!!!


I went to a home decor party last weekend, hosted by my sister, Jennifer. I'm so glad I attended because it was a lot of fun. So much fun in fact, that I am having my own! I like having parties at my house, I decided. It is a way to show off my [risky] cooking skills and makes me clean my toilets and ceiling fans. I am also looking forward to meeting new people and sharing design tips. My particular party, if you couldn't tell by the heading, will be fondue-themed. Anyway, please join us!!! It is April 11th @ 3pm. I will be sending out (custom made by me) postcards soon. What a great excuse to play on photoshop:)

2.22.2010

On the Farm






Sunday I visited a good friend of mine, Kati, and her husband Alex. They got married this past September, moved onto a quaint little acerage, renovated an old farm house (my dream), and are expecting an addition to their family in August. In small town Iowa, there are farm girls and town girls. I am definitely a town girl. I had the opportunity to play with baby calves and experience a little life "on the farm". Farming is hard work. Kati's husband wakes up at 11pm and 2am every night/morning to tend to his cattle. This winter has been a tough winter. I know I can tell Kati and Alex are going to be good parents, just by watching how much heart and passion they put into taking care of their already-big furry family.

Keeping it Classy


What is hotter than some classy women in classy jeans and aprons?

Apparently I was in the close-up mood that night...


Keeping it Classy


So here we go again...another GNO turned photoshoot! Yeah, that glass in my hand is the reason why the lighting in these pictures are too warm or not focused correctly.

The location is Classy Gourmet by Westroads mall. The menu was Italian food. You will not see me any pictures of me preparing food. Hmmm, wonder why? Laura here, is stirring the onions which claimed half of my mascara.

Christy and Katie doing exactly what they should be doing...


Stuffed shells which we did not prepare, especially me. They were very tasty though!

2.19.2010

Le Voltaire... A French Restaurant

Who said my professional blog can't have personal stuff on it? Well, it's happening. My husband and I went to this amazing french restaurant in Omaha to celebrate Valentine's day. I HIGHLY recommend it! We started out with a cheese sampler for an appetizer. I was pretty proud of myself because I tried a sheep's milk cheese. Not a fan, by the way. Main course, Oz had duck breast or something, while I stuck with a fillet. One bite of the duck was enough for me, but Oz loved it. I also think Oz enjoyed reading items off the menu in french. Le Voltaire is located at 156th and Dodge street in the Baker's strip mall. Calling ahead for reservations is smart, as this place is not very big. Mark this spot on your list as places to try:)

1.27.2010

My Class Schedule

Before I bought my camera at Rockbrook, I was taking a few online photography classes from IWCC. They helped me with the basic camera functions, but it was hard to learn beyond that when someone wasn't visually showing me what to do. My big Christmas present this year from my parents was the help to buy my Canon Rebel. It is an SLR, so I can change the lenses on it and also use an external flash. Because I bought my camera there, I recieved a free class. I highly recommend buying from Rockbrook Camera if you ever need anything photogrphy. They have been sooo helpful and friendly when I go in there with questions. Anyway, I wanted to share my class schedule with you. I have already learned a lot from the few I have been to.

January 15th: Digital SLR Basics
January 21st: Intermediate Canon DSLR
January 29th: Basic Children Portraits
February 18th: Mastering Available Light
March 12th: Creative Lighting with Canon Speedlight
March 22nd: Photographic Composition (This is if I can get out of work:)

So, by Spring, I think I will be ready to take some serious pictures!!

January Portraits





1.25.2010

Winter Wonderland - January 2010







For several months now, I have been wanting to take pictures of this spot. I drive by it every morning, while taking Iba to daycare. It's beautiful with or without snow.

You Want One??







Watch out Shutterfly, KJ Niang is in town!

1.22.2010

KJ NIANG - raw format

I decided that I have a lot to talk about today. I have been thinking over the past few months that with all of the endeavors (photography & graphics)going on, I also wanted to make a change in my blog...meaning that I wanted a different look and feel. I have been working on custom designing blog backgrounds/headers and feel I have conquered it. Uploading them, however, has not been conquered and is sooo frustrating!! I will tell you though, when you see fireworks going off in mid-February, just know it's because I uploaded my personal background to this sucker and log on to view it ASAP. After you see mine, you will want your own:)
I think from reading others' blogs I have this premonition that I need to talk about the made-from-scratch muffins I made for my husband this morning, right after I knitted my son's outfit for daycare. But, my mornings usually don't go like that. From now on my blog is going to be the real deal. To paint you a picture...It is like when you take a picture, the camera creates an image and compresses it into a jpeg, or something similar. This file is then able to be stored smaller and loses a tiny amount of quality. You do have the choice, however, to keep your images raw, so that the camera doesn't compress them at all. So, with that said, my blog is raw, not a compressed jpeg.(metaphorically remember) When you meet me face to face, I'm not a compressed jpeg; what you hear and see is it! And so from here on out, my blog is the raw version of KJ NIANG.
On a more random note, just to let you know I'm really not a fan of photographer's websites that play music and you get to look at one picture per song it seems like!! It takes way too long to view the pictures. If I make it in the

11.14.2009

Chloe Spence




Baby pictures are so cute when they are sleeping...They are also cute when they are awake, of course! But, have you ever questioned why adults are never sleeping in their pictures?? Hmmm. Just something to think about. Anyway, Chloe did fantastic at her photoshoot. I need to work on indoor lighting. That is hard to get just right! It may be time for a trip to Rockbrook Camera:)

11.10.2009

Carson and Hayley




Iba hangs out with these two everyday and loves it! They were very well-behaved models, which always makes the photographer look good:) Now, if I can only get Iba to hold still like that!