Graduation 2010

In this life we all need support.  It is good to know that someone (or if you are lucky a bunch of someones) loves you, will cheer you on, have your back, and have a chilled bottle of champagne on hand for your celebrations and/or moments of struggle.  Much love, Ladies!

Leadership Institute New York

Each fall the Thurgood Marshall College Fund hosts the Leadership Institute in New York.  I have attended various TMCF events since 2006. TMCF supports 47 public HBCU's through scholarships, grants, professional development programming, as well as career oppotunities.  Thanks to TMCF I had opportunties to interview with several global brands that do not directly recruit on our campus and I've networked with leaders and future leaders.

Louisiana Roots

That Louisiana Charm never quits, I tell ya!

 Every year St. Mary's Catholic Church holds a major bizzare in the fall and a gumbo cookoff in the spring. It feels great to be around people who understand, appreciate, and celebrate Creole culture and the language. There are serveral vendors selling their wares, tasty delictables (gumbo, boudin, funnel cakes, po-boys)  and zydeco bands to help you dance off everything you have eaten. lol

I have to get one of these shirts!

Concerts in the Park

It was a lovely evening to enjoy a concert in the park. Jason Moran, a native Houstonian and graduate of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) delighted us with his talents.

I was able to capture this reflection.

Passport to India

Leadership Houston hosts Passport to Progress, a program focusing on learning about different countries. They touch on economics, political, culutre, history, and of course the food. I had the opportunity to attend the one with a focus on India.

This not a painting. It is SAND!!!

 I couldn't believe the patience it takes to create something so detailed and precise. 

God's Model

Sometimes we get caught up in our lives that we miss the beauty surrounding us.  On this particular day, my spirit kept telling me to be still. Let my mind and body be still.  So, I just stood there (with my camera of course) and found myself surrounded by Butterflies. One even landed on my shoulder. 

The lesson is to be mentally and physically STILL and take in all that God has given us.

Go Nik...It's Your Birthday!

I have some really great friends!  First, we started off on the patio at BLUE on Friday....and wrapped up with a recovery champagne brunch at Mia Bella on Sunday.  I have selective amnesia and am leaving out anything in between that time period. HA!

Inside Cover

This weekend I photographed Little League.  Aside from the heat, I think I had more fun than the kids. This photo was chosen  and printed as the inside cover of Tre`Magazine, which highlights the Third Ward Community in Houston, TX. 

China 2010 Photojournal

While in China, I took over 4000 photos.  Many of which are in my personal collection, but I did pull out some of the highlights to create a photo journal for my student to have and share with their friends, family, and the people who supported the trip.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicallyss/sets/72157624746214196/show/

Shanghai Sunsets

On our last evening in Shanghai we took a sunset cruise.  This city has some of the most creative and trendsetting architecture in the world. They use shape, lights, and technology to create a unique and special skyline. 

Connecting Factors

I was walking in our neighborhood in Shanghai and ran across this group of fellas in a heated game. Basketball is a global sport. Working for an NBA team, I knew that... in theory. But to see it first hand...everywhere we went people were playing, wearing Rockets gear, and Nike. Over 300,000,000

(3 hunnit million, lol)  people in China  play, watch, or consume basketball in some shapem form or fashion.

Each of the Texas Southern University students had a Chinese student pen-pal they corresponded with via email and skype.  This was a brief meet-up where they were finally able to meet face to face.

On the Other Side of the World...

 View from the 101st Floor of the Shanghai Financial Center.

This may have to be my new logo and mantra:

Excellence Pursuer

Prevail Forever

HBCU's compete on a global scale, too. Best believe.

Shanghai has aestheically pleasing elements, but is not wasteful.  These are light elements placed under the bridge of a freeway.  They come on at dusk and turn off at 11pm. When buildings/rooms are not in use the electricity is turned off.  Your room key turns on the electricity. When you leave, it is shut off.  I was completely feeling their green/energy conscious lifestyles. Something we can definitely utilize here in the U.S.

China 2010

Several of my China photos have already been published, but these are some of the ones I kept private. Every where we went, people would take pictures of us.  The kids were especially curious and every one was friendly. Eye-opening to be immersed in a completely different culture.  I'm grateful for the experience of seeing another part of the world.

The Forbidden City

He was so sweet!  Came up to me and asked me to practice English with him. We chatted for a while.  The greatest lesson learned is that humanity has no language barrier.

Beijing: The Birdsnest Stadium

Carib Fest 2010

I have friends from all across the world, but for some reason summer 2010 was all about the spirit of the Caribbean! The food, the people, the culture.  Yummy. It also made me think.  As Americans, we share a hemisphere and the 15 or so islands aren't far away. Yet, we never hear anything about their history, politics,  current events or economic concerns.  This sent me on a journey to ask questions, research and discover for myself.

Miami Madness

 Title:  The Art of the Self Portrait

The calm after the madness.  I don't even have to explain

how chaotic SoBe can be.   But when everyone else heads home,

the peace and serenity there is true paradise.

The infamous "Curly 'fro".

After a week's worth of water and wind, 

I'm sure it was happy to see a flat iron when I got home.

Kids at Play

Discovery Green has some amazing features, one of which is the water spray.  On a hot Houston day you just want to kick off your shoes and run through it with the kids.  I couldn't on this day, so I say back and captured my friends having fun.

Sensual Seduction

When a couple of people saw this photo, the comments were hilarious!  The human body is God's masterpiece. I want to take more photos of it...but I'm a little nervous. The candles and bubble bath put me at ease and I was the one BEHIND the lens! 

First Photo Assignment

When you build relationships and help people along their journey of succes, they are more than will to help you on yours. Shout to Friend.

Relax

I've always been facinated by candles. Nothing is more relaxing than the flicker, simple glow and the shadows it casts against the walls.

A Moment of Stillness

This was shot on the day I was moving into a new spot. No need for concern. There was no heavy lifting on my part or that of my friends. I hired movers. LOL  But as we were sitting on the patio having lunch on this breezy spring day, Friend lowered her head and it highlighted the most beautiful features of her face.  I snapped this one before she even had a chance to look up or say no.  :) 

It looks like it is shot in black and white, but it isn't.  No photoshop used, since I don't know how to use it ...yet.  I'm torn because in my heart I feel that true photography is what is purely captured without digital enhancements. I'm a huge fan of digital art, which is what I consider photoshopped pictures to be. Is that being a photo-snob? *shrugs*

Discovering your Forte (Cayman Islands)

Isabelle's parents were kind enough to let me photograph her as we shared a taxi to the hotel. Her eyes hold this bold, innocent, curiousness that tell a story of their own. This one photo made me realize how much I enjoy photographing children. They have a natural genuineness and ease that can not posed.

Light, water, architecture, and dusk are my favorite elements. This photo combines them all in a glorious setting.  This spontaneous island getaway goes down as one of my best trips of all time.  I decided on Tuesday that I was going that weekend. I tried ALL the food, discovered conch chowder, and reignited my love for a great Rum.  My island roots were showing, literally.  I wore my natural curls and felt the freedom of the wind and water. ...but I won't scare you with photos of my "curly afro".