***All images in this post are copyright Kelly Moore.***

NEXT WEEK: Dawn Shields

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as i do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...



You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!
 

Kelly, I've known you for quite a few years now and love the way you see the world through your lens.  You are a master with light, both natural and off camera and your processing in photoshop is gorgeous.  Since I met you, you've had a little girl, started a new business, and come to understand how to make family life and business life really work together in a positive way for your life.  I'm sure everyone is wondering how you manage to do it all.  Thanks so much for being here on Women and Business!

What is a day with your family like?
The perfect Saturday with my family begins with sleeping in :) Once we get up and dressed, we might visit a local joint for lunch.  After lunch, we would make a trip to the park down the road from our house.  When we get home after a hard day of playing, a quick nap to recharge is only appropriate! 
We love to grill, so for dinner we all pitch in.  To wrap up a perfect day, it must end with a bonfire and smores.  Of course, this isn’t every day, but it’s my favorite day!



How do you separate business and family life?
It’s not always easy, especially when you work out of your home.  For me, I’ve had to make sure I have plenty of time off to spend being a mom and wife.  I take off the summers to concentrate on this.  I know it’s not normal for a photographer to take off the summer, but it’s what works for me.  I’ve also had to learn that I can’t do everything.  I’ve learned that saying no is an awesome thing!



You just had a Posey a little over 2 years ago. What was the hardest part of that transition for you? What was the best part of that transition?
The hardest part for Kelly and I was that we could no longer come and go as we pleased!  We were such, “fly by the seat of your pants” people, but that all changed!  I also think I had this idea that I could take Posey anywhere, and that she would adapt to my lifestyle.  Well, Posey turned out to be one of the most strong willed children I’ve ever met.  All that to say, we had a HUGE adjustment in store for us.
The good parts of being a mom far outweigh any tough parts.  No one can explain to you how much you will love your child.  I was never the “motherly” type, so I worried that I wouldn’t be a good mom, but it’s been the best thing that has ever happened to me.   I would definitely say the best part of the transisition is that you have a little person in your life that you love more that you could ever explain!



How long did you shoot while you were pregnant with Posey? What precautions did you take in case you went into labor early? How long was your maternity leave?
I photographed my last wedding 1 month before Posey was born, however, I most likely won’t do that again!  I was miserable! 
As a precaution, I let all my clients, that wanted to book with me in my last trimester, know that I was pregnant, and I even gave them the option to find another photographer.  I let them know that I would bring an assistant to the wedding who was capable of shooting the wedding if something happened to me.  Luckily, everthing went smoothly, and I was able to shoot all my weddings. 
I began shooting about 4 weeks after Posey was born, and it was definitely too soon for me.  Next time, I think I'll wait at least 6 weeks. 



How do you structure your work week? Your year?
I take off on Mondays.  I take a maximum of 2 sessions per week, and I take time off over the summers.



How are you juggling two businesses and a family? How do you have time for it all?
When I began my newest business,  it was pretty crazy at first.  I don’t think I realized how much extra work it was going to be.  About 2 months into it, Kelly and I sat down and re-evaluated our situation.  I’m having to delegate tasks, cut back in some areas, and learn to not stress about it!  I don’t have time for it all!



What changes have you made in the last year to your workflow?
Simplify!! I’ve learned that sometimes simple is better.  I don’t spend as much time in photoshop.  I try to get things as close to perfect as possible in camera.  I’ve also simplified my products that I give my clients.  It’s easy to get caught up in the newest most fancy albums and products, but I try to keep it clean and simple.



How do you edit? It looks like it takes a long time to get such gorgeous images?
I don’t spend much time editing!  Most of the techniques I’m using, I’m getting in camera.  From there, I do most of my editing in Camera Raw.  I spend very little time in photoshop.



How do you stay so inspired and fresh from wedding to wedding, session to session?
It’s not easy :) I think the answer for me is shooting less so that when I do shoot, I’m not burned out.


What 5 things have you learned as a mother and business woman over the 2 years?
1. Money can’t make you happy
2.  Sleep is good
3. No matter how exotic and cool the location I’m shooting is, I would rather be at home with my family
4.  Some babies just cry a lot
5. I like to cook.

What do you think sets you apart from other photographers and business people?
That’s sort of a trick question, because there are no two photographers that are alike.  I would say, my eye and the way I see light sets me apart.  Luckily, I get bored easily, so this has pushed me to stay interested in photography by exploring light.


You have created the Give Me Moore session that has become extremely popular. You have a long waiting list each season that you do them. How did those come about and what do you think has made them so sought after?
The Give Me Moore sessions have evolved into something all their own.  They started out as a simple one day workshop where people came to learn, and they have turned into a chance for me and my student to be creative with lighting in an amazingly style shoot. 
The number 1 reason they are so sought after is because Brandi Howard (my BFF, office manager, and shoot stylist) .  Brandi is an incredibly talented person who has a knack for creating something out of nothing. 



What does your workflow look like? Do you outsource or keep everything in house?
I do everything myself.  My workflow is super simple.  I shoot raw, process in ACR, run a quick batch in PS, and I’m done!  It takes me about 3 hours to run a wedding now!



What are your three favorite creative tools and how do they help you to be inspired?
My canon 580 flashes….they help me explore with light
My camera...
Alien Skin: Exposure….It’s a filter set that I use on ALL of my images.



You were in a beautiful retail space studio and you’ve moved your studio into your home. What was the catalyst for that?
Posey.  My whole outlook on life changed when I had Posey.  I was spending so much money on my studio downtown, but really it was just an office.  When we built a new home, I decided it would be smarter to bring my studio home. 


In what ways do you think you’ll keep evolving?
Hopefully in every way!  There are different seasons in everyone’s life, and I want to enjoy every season.  Who knows what I’ll do next.  As a photographer, I want to do more personal work that I don’t get paid for. 



What key business idea did you learn in the last 6 months?
I recently began a new business and adventure.  I’ve designed a new line of camera bags for women that don’t look like camera bags.   I had no idea how much extra work it was going to be!  

What is the best thing you’ve done to make your business successful?
I think with this new business one of the things I’ve learned most is how important our social media can be.  Twitter, Facebook and Blogs have been the number one thing that have made my new business successful!


What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?
That’s simple…take time off.


What three products or things help you stay organized?
Workflow board
Client Folders
Google Mail



What is something that you think women in the industry should not do?
Compare themselves to other photographers.  It’s so easy to look at other people and feel inadequate.  The truth is, we are all different, and don’t need to try to run our businesses the same.


What is something that you think women in the industry should do?
Make sure that their business doesn’t take over their life.   Make yourself stop working to make dinner, don’t stay on the computer all night, exercise or spend time outside, learn to say no!!!

To see more of Kelly's work go to:

Website

Blog

Kelly Moore Bag

***All images in this post are copyright Kelly Moore.***

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