Nicole Glenn Photography Blog bio picture

I am a scientist by day and a photographer by night. Follow my journey as I juggle pipettes and lenses in this crazy thing I call life.

Here you will find my most recent work and, if you're lucky, my personal ramblings about Cooper, my love of blueberry muffins, and videos of me dancing. Please contain your excitement. :)

This is the life I love.

Monthly Archives: October 2009

Madarang Family | Portraits

Words can not express how much fun I had with the  Madarang family this past weekend. Our shoot had a rocky start, but they held it together like champs! We originally planned on shooting at La Jolla Cove, but I guess having hundreds of triathletes and spectators was not their ideal backdrop. My mom says that’s why I need to start reading the paper. I say, there is only so much time in the day! Anywho, we cruised over to La Jolla Shores and SIO to capture some sweet shots. Here are a few of my favorites…

Madarang_Family1Madarang_Family3It’s genetic….Madarang_Family2Fierce model walks!Madarang_Family4Um, hi. Isn’t she stunning!?!Madarang_Family6This is a summary of the day. I think it’s my favorite….Madarang_Family7Beautiful family!!!Madarang_Family8Madarang_Family5Madarang_Family9Don’t hate, it’s still 78 at the beaches…Madarang_Family10

Madarang family, it was an absolute pleasure to hang out with you! You are such a kind, sweet, and humorous family. Not to mention, you have excellent taste in cars haha. Just make sure you get in the right one!

Much love,

Nicole

Photography Stole My Heart

It has been exactly 2 years since the 2007 wild fires started in San Diego. Life felt like the twilight zone. Dark amber skies all day and night, ash falling like snow, and no sleep, can make a person crazy for sure. Those few days changed my outlook on life. In moments where you can only pack a few cars full of all your most valuable things, you start to rethink what really matters. It wasn’t until participating in Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief that I truly understood how devastating it is to lose all your possessions and your home. We sifted through piles of debris and ash to both clean the site and look for personal treasures. For people that didn’t have time to pack a single thing, finding a wedding ring, or a partially burned heirloom is invaluable.

The following picture made me fall in love (and maybe a little obsessed) with photography. It didn’t require a  fancy DSLR or glass,  just a simple point-and-shoot. And a moment.13

My heart goes out to the 1,350 families that lost their homes. I hope in these last 2 years you were able to rebuild not only your lives, but your spirit.

Wishing for rain,

Nicole

Quarter Century | 25 Things

Yesterday I celebrated my 25th birthday and I have no clue where the time has gone. Seriously. I think once Pomp and Circumstance guided my walk down the aisle and I received my college diploma, life hit light speed. I have also decided that I would like to stop getting older now, so if you can arrange this, that would be fantastic. Ok, ok, I AM really excited to see what the future holds, but I would like to tap on the brakes just a little. Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes. I am so thankful to have such awesome people in my life!

In honor of celebrating 25 years, I thought I would share 25 random facts you may (or may not) care to know about ME! So here we go…

1. I played soccer from the age of 5-17. My dad was my coach every year.

2. Life with out my girls Rosie and Sandy would be miserable.

3. I giggle while getting a pedicure.

4. I prefer more peanut butter than jelly on my PB&J’s.

5. I have a B.S. in Chemistry and play scientist everyday. Did I just hear you whisper nerd? Shhh!

6. I fall asleep in the same position every night.

7. I will gladly spend a Friday night in Barnes and Noble.

8. My parents are the best. Period.

9. No and sugar never reside in the same sentence.

10. I love the Real Housewives of Any City. I do, so don’t be tardy for the party…

11. My purse tends to be a black hole, filled with anything from fruit to receipts.

12. My hair is naturally curly, but the fro is too much to manage.

13. Born and raised in San Diego…what what!

14. With out fail, I order the same thing at restaurants. I pretend to branch out as I peruse the menu, oh, I think I’ll try this!, but always order the default. I mean, why change a meal that doesn’t disappoint?!

15. I rarely get sick, but when I do, you can find me in bed watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days or any classic Disney movie.

16. I took piano lessons growing up and always dreaded recitals.

17. My friend, since 2nd grade, is celebrating her 25th birthday today. Happy Birthday C-Unit!!

18. I love office supplies. I actually miss back-to-school shopping. Crisp new notebooks, highlighters, and pens is where it is at!

19. My mom opens a cookie factory in her kitchen the weekend after Thanksgiving. No really. She can easily make 1000 cookies in a matter of weeks! It’s insane.

20. I watch HGTV as if I owned a home. When I do, watch out Home Depot!

21. I eat items on a plate of food in equal portions, so the last bite has a little bit of everything. Can you say OCD?

22. I love visiting the central coast. If you haven’t check out Montaña de Oro and the SLO farmers market, you should!

23. Ice cold water is my beverage of choice.

24. I can organize anything…except my room. Ugh, cleaning my own room is always such a chore!

25. I am really awkward and bad about receiving compliments. Especially in person. If you have a way to fix this, please share. ASAP.

I tend to be a private person, so writing these 25 facts took way too long haha. Annnnnnnd, since every post deserves a photo, here is sweet family shot from Big Sur. First dip in the river, aren’t they the cutest???DSC_0085I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

Thanks for stopping by,

~Nicole

Ella | Portraits (Part 1)

It’s weird how life works out. Never once while playing in Allison’s two story playhouse did I imagine I would be documenting her future family. Decades later here we are. Ella is 4 months old and just about the cutest thing you have ever seen. Her big blue eyes will be breaking hearts, you just wait! :) Here are a few pictures from our lovely morning…

So coy. Why yes, I know I’m cute!

Ella1Baby smiles are the best…Ella2Love!Ella3Already workin’ on her ‘fierce’ look…Ella4Ella5The safety of dad’s arms…Ella6Ella7

I am looking forward to part two! It was a pleasure to spend time with you guys. Thanks for letting me capture your beautiful addition!

~Nicole

Bridal Shoot (Part 2)

First of all, thank you to everyone for all your support and sweet comments/emails! You definitely know how to make someone feel special! It feels nice to have a blog that represents ME.

This is the second, and last, installment from the bridal shoot I attended last weekend. I ended up spending a lot of time with Sarah and Daniel, who just happened to be the cutest couple. Ever. At the end of the shoot Sarah put on a second dress and fearlessly went in to water with Daniel. Such troopers! Just by watching the way these two interact you can tell that they are genuinely in love. Here are a few shots from throughout the day:

Bridal_ShootDSC_0145bwHello beautiful sun flare..DSC_0174DSC_0222bwAren’t they the sweetest??DSC_0252bwDSC_0258DSC_0424Love, love, love!!!DSC_0455bwDSC_0142DSC_0199bw

Thanks for being such a wonderful couple!!! It was a joy documenting your love!

Happy Monday!

~Nicole

Bridal Shoot (Part 1)

This past weekend I had the pleasure of capturing a few beautiful brides, and dapper grooms, at a bridal shoot put together by Diandra Ann. It was so great to have creative freedom, wonderful couples, awesome hair and make-up, bouquets, and hair pieces at our disposal!

Hair and Make-up: Label me Lindsay and Glowing Bride  |  Hair Pieces:  Lo Boheme |  Bouquets: Angie Varela

Here are a few of my favorite shots:

Danni and John:

Isn’t she stunning!?!

Bridal_Shoot_1Bridal_Shoot_3

So whimsical!Bridal_Shoot_2

Hayley and Nate:

One of my favorites! Love the light…Bridal_Shoot_4Bridal_Shoot_5Bridal_Shoot_7

Are you kidding me? Bridal_Shoot_6

Priscilla and Cass:Bridal_Shoot_8

Cass workin’ it…Bridal_Shoot_11Bridal_Shoot_9

Loved both the chair and the bouquet…Bridal_Shoot_10Bridal_Shoot_12

Thanks again to everyone that donated time, your efforts are invaluable! More to come later this week. What what!

~Nicole

On the Road | San Francisco

Hey, hey, HEY! Welcome to my new blog! I’m really excited about how it turned out, but I am even more excited about this month! Yes, that was a lot of exclamation points. October is my birthday month and I am turning a quarter century! I have a few more new things to debut, so come back and visit.

This post is a continuation from my last post about our road trip up the coast. Our second destination was SAN FRANCISCO. I have a little crush on the city, so it was wonderful to be back. Art and I purchased a San Francisco city pass and I would highly recommend it. It is a great way to explore popular attractions in the city and not pay full price. Here are a few shots:

I always loved Full House growing up… “Everywhere you look…everywhere…”

SanFran_1

Can’t you see me in the show intro?SanFran_16As part of the city pass we visited the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences, which are both located in the ever lovely Golden Gate Park. I really enjoy museums…the lighting, mood, and it’s usually quiet…a perfect setting to fully enjoy the art and think about your own creative juices.

SanFran_4

Blown glass pieces from the collection of Dorothy and George Saxe. These are some of the more unique blown glasses pieces I have seen. I really like the colors and etched patterns that help add another dimension.SanFran_2

I love the way these next pieces capture light. SanFran_3The shadow even contributes…SanFran_5SanFran_6Califonia Spring, 1875 – Albert Bierstadt. All of the things I enjoy most about driving up the coast, cloudy days, rolling hills, and grazing cows…SanFran_7This one is for you Cathy!SanFran_8Usually I enjoy the bright colors of butterflies, but the symmetry and silhouette are wonderful.SanFran_9SanFran_10One of my favorites!! Their movement makes me want to jump in for a swim.SanFran_11The city from the Blue and Gold Fleet Bay cruise.SanFran_12I may be strange, but I am really intrigued by the history of Alcatraz.SanFran_13Golden Gate Bridge!SanFran_14SanFran_15

One of the things I didn’t capture was our numerous trips to Ghiradehlli. Trips for ice cream AND hot cocoa…we are weird, I know. San Francisco, I can’t wait to come back.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Nicole