Asher - Portraits - Nicole Mendicino /


Motherhood is the most “interesting” thing. I got pregnant with my first child when I was just 21. I mean it was my birthday and 3 weeks later I found out that I was pregnant. Now to be honest, reacted instead of feeling warm and fuzzy all over. I cried a lot. Then I took 3 pregnancy tests and went to the doctor and didn’t believe it was actually real until she confirmed it.

Yes I am that person. The person who didn’t know what to do with the information in front of me, so freaking out seemed like the best option at the time.

The problem was that it really interfered with my plans. I was taking film photography classes at college along with some other art classes and thought well shoot, what am I going to do now. In fact I may have said “ oh sh*t what am I going to do?” So I dropped the classes because I didn’t want my child to have 3 heads from the chemical exposure.

At that time I was newly married, trying to figure out what I was doing with my life, still caring for my father and thought to myself how am I going to bring a baby into all of this?  Now to be fair I always wanted children, I always wanted marriage. But that was when I turned 30 not at 21. The plan changed. I hate when plans change.

So back to motherhood, I will have to say I’m no natural mother.  Do you know what I am talking about? The women who just know everything, what nappies are, what diapers are, how to breastfeed, when to breastfeed, how to parent, how to be a soft mother and nurture your child. I have some AMAZING friends who are like these women. That the things in motherhood come natural to them, or maybe it just seems that way to me.

I studied motherhood like it was a photography class. Except half the books were contradictory to each other. So at times it just made learning how to be a mom more difficult. The worst part was I thought I had to give everything up. Photography, fashion, being myself, boy was I wrong. I swore and still may never buy a minivan, but at least now I understand why people purchase them. (They’re so roomy)

The day I stopped calling motherhood a Job I was free. It’s a choice.

It’s a choice to show up everyday even if you don’t have all the answers,

It’s a choice to be kind and nurturing

Loving

Listening

To breastfeed or not to breastfeed

To be consistent, I mean with everything. If you say no, mean it.

It’s a choice to HAVE FUN, Be playful

It’s a choice to take a moment before reacting to ALL THE Paint on the WHITE Walls.

It’s a choice to take time for you and not feel guilty.

It’s a choice to work, or stay home (no judgments here I did both)

It’s a choice to admire and think your KIDS Rock

The best part I learned these things. These simple things that honestly have made parenting much better than I have ever imagined. They didn’t come natural, because although Motherhood may be “natural” to some, everyone is learning. Everyone has to start somewhere.





Cheers Friends 

-Nicole 





Source: www.heydear.co/blog

Saturday Morning Breakfast - Rituals and Family time



Mornings are becoming my favorite part of the day, especially Saturday Mornings. This wasn’t always the case because we had little one’s waking up multiple times in the night to nurse, or they needed something because you know they were babies. By the time the morning would roll around I defiantly resembled something looking close to a Zombie.

Now fast forward. The kids are older and sleep amazingly which means as parents we are sleeping and the only time I resemble a Zombie is when I have an allergic reaction to food.

Each morning we have our family rituals, get up, get any chores out of the way, make breakfast and lunches sit together as a family and ask each other about our dreams from the night before, talk about how exciting the day ahead will be and seeing friends or teachers. These small moments are my favorite and it’s interesting that it naturally happens around the table. These are the moments to hold onto and treasure. During the week we make it a point to gather each morning together take time and, do these rituals, then we head off to school and start work.

Saturdays are my favorite because when we do this we get to linger a bit; we maybe make something like gluten free waffles, (still in the midst of testing new recipes from scratch) Or Make Van’s frozen waffles. These are defiantly our favorite store bought brand. The point isn’t just about some elaborate menu, but cherishing the time we have together. It goes quick and going even quicker. I thought I would share a glimpse into our morning breakfast time as a family, the time we cherish and love and all look forward to partake in.

What are the rituals that you love and do each day? Whether that is alone, with your family or anything else that tickles your fancy?

Cheers Friends, 

Nicole 







Stella Mae - Portraits Nicole Lee photographer - Charleston SC


Today I thought I would share some personal images of my Stella Mae. Without a doubt I am glad a started this project over a year ago, I know one day I will look back and be thankful I took portraits of my children. 

Would love to hear thoughts and share some love if you'd like. 

Happy Friday Everyone! 

-Nicole 




Self Portraits - Charleston, SC Photographers - Nicole Mendicino


When we were little girls my mother would dress my sister and I up to have our photos taken. You know the ones I’m talking about, when you go to SEARS Portrait studio and have a cheesy background and some creepy guy is taking your picture. Those ones. Well my mother would dress us real “nice” with curled hair, red lips and lace dresses for days. We ended up looking like pageant princess’ by the time she was finished. Not to mention she put us in matching outfits, (except shoes). I had these shiny red ones like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, (because I was obsessed of course).  So every year she would dress us up for Christmas, Birthday’s, School, etc., and go get our photos taken. As I got older it would get more embarrassing because the photos were all over the walls. Its as if our parents worshiped us. I bet there are a few of you out there that just might have some of these around, or at least something similar.    

These memories and photos really got me thinking. They were just photos of us, but I have a slight feeling they had something to do with my outlook on life. I mean in the sense of how I perceived myself, or to the more pressing fact that I hate getting in front of the camera. It’s a pain, and I get these flash memories of my mother curling my hair while I sat there for an hour bored out of my mind.  So the last thing I wanted to do was get in front of the camera, seemed awful.

So I wanted to go change things, it was time to go back and explore being in front of the camera. To take some images of what is typical standard, makeup hair, so on, in contrast to well the opposite of natural and raw, no make up. I wanted to explore this not just for myself but also for others. How do we see ourselves?  To what is the standard of your own perception?

As women we often are told that we need to look a certain way in order to gain respect, power, equality, a boyfriend even. But as I get older I realize why the hell do they teach us this, why are we teaching our daughters and sons this, and mostly, lets do something about it!   Why should our value be measured in weather we have blonde hair, long hair, weight and makeup or not? 

Maybe people would say I am optimist for hoping that we could come together as a community, instead of working against one another. I still have hope for us, that slowly we make the world a better place and join as one. It only takes one. Will you with join me?

Until next time, thanks for stopping by – below are my self-portraits, leave a comment below, would love to connect!

Best, 

Nicole 

 

 


6368 Self Better 2**.jpg
6378 Self Better *** .jpg

Bronte - Charleston,SC Photographers

I have know Bronte since she was 11 maybe 10 years old. I used to babysit her and her sister, which was seriously fun. I mean we watched high school musical, made mac and cheese and just hung out. Good times, good times. Then she grew up and I grew up. I had kids of my own and then sure enough she started watching them. This girl is seriously something special, more than just a girl I used to babysit but has a special place in my heart. Seriously, I am so proud of the woman she is becoming. I am honored that she asked me to take her portraits. Have a look for yourself. 

Best

-Nicole 



Food and Lifestyle Photographers Charleston, SC - Nicole Lee


Hello, Lets Get acquainted.

My name is Nicole Mendicino. Some People call me Mendo for short, or Nic. Mendicino is my maiden name. Then I got married and now lots of people know me as Nicole Lee. I feel like its the first day of school when you have to go around to each person and say your name out loud. Remember how embarrassing that was? Right now is definitely the first day of school all over again. But Once you get through it it's not so bad. So back to names. You can call me Nicole, or any of the above I will answer. Whats your name? I'd like to know if any of you out there have names. 

Welcome to my new blog, HEY DEAR.co. Here you will find my personal and professional photography work. Here I am on this new adventure making a go at becoming a real professional photographer. You are welcome to join me and comment, encourage or disagree, I would love to have feedback along the way. 

Again welcome. Cheers folks. 

Until next time, 

Best

Nicole