I see a few familiar faces, so some of you may want to just skip this first part . ..........................................................................


Let's see, where do I start...
Okay (ahem), my name is Kimberly Bee-- I'm a work-at-home momma and aspiring pro photographer. I've been in the eternal phase of portfolio building in preparation to let loose once my kiddos start going to school. My family and two busy full-time++ munchkins (3&4 yrs old) have full reign over my time and attention, and whatever's left over goes toward my photography obsession. I've just recently started taking one or two clients per month.
Hmmm, what else... my short lived pro background, pre-children (a distant hazy memory), is in graphic design and project management... I'm self taught everything photography and PS... I live in Phoenix, AZ... I have an unwavering faith in The big JC... I love wearing flip-flops and eating sushi! Oh, I should probably add that I'm happily married to my best friend and the best Daddy in the whole wide world. I'm about as blessed as it gets—and there you have it! My unofficial mini bio. If you've read this far, you deserve a cookie or something =).

The End.

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I'm beyond ecstatic to join this forum... I'm so far out of my league here that it's humbling and exciting at the same time. I hope I can contribute as much as I learn.

Here are a few from my most recent stash (still working through this one). I was a second shooter at a Mesa, AZ wedding:



















p.s. cc always welcomed and appreciated!




a few more, b/c I'm new here and I can't help myself...

Welcome! Nice Shots... Great Color in 7 and 9!

wish I had switched them around, arrhg:














THANKS so much roro!!

Welcome to OSP!! Great bio, gorgeous shots!! Hope to see a lot more!!

Welcome Kim!

Thank you for the warm welcome, Mike!!




Hi Katherine, THANKS!

So glad you are here...you know I am a fan of your work and I hope to see more of you on the board!

Hi Misses T (big waves)!! Right back atcha babe-- hugs to you .

Stunning work! Welcome!

Welcome! And Whoa! You are so *not* out of your league.. your shots are absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to see more!

Awww, thanks Shane and Angela!
I have no shame-- that totally makes my night .

Welcome!

Fancy seeing you here, Michelle -- Lucky me . Thanks girl!

Fantastic images! Just awesome! Great bio - I feel like I could have written it myself - just add a 10 month old to the list and it could be my life. Well, i don't live in AZ. Incredible work! Keep working toward that goal - and remember that the time with our little ones is the most precious - plenty of time to build the business once they're out in the great wide world. Now I'm just lecturing myself. Haha. Good to have you here!

Emily

Thank you for the kind words, Emily. Reading them actually gave me a lump in my throat (maybe I'm hormonal... girls, geesh! or feeling guilty myself). I always had the idea that I could do anything I set my mind to... but I realized when I became a mother that this mindset is a falacy *considering the cost*. It's a hard truth to swallow, so thanks for the reminder... I need to hear it every once in awhile. You're absolutely right.

I totally agree with you Angela. I was just preparing myself to see humble pictures and WOW!!! they've left me !!! Their are really, really good.

Hey Kimberly, I hope you don't mind me asking? Can you give me the tip of how to make the background look like that?? (I'm talking about the very first picture; the bride picture.) What equipment do you use?

Welcome. You work appears to be exquisite. I have nothing else to say.

Welcome Kim! Great work -- I like the color tone you've got going on there.

Leann

A warm WELCOME to ya! The moments you have captured are stunning!!! I will definitely be keeping up with your blog!

Welcome to OSP Kimberly!

These pics are great, girl. How long have you been shooting? Or did I miss that in the bio??

I think your window work is awesome, well all of it is looking mighty fine. I'm interested in the answer to Sabrina's question. I think I know, but you make it look so seamless....I could be wrong.

I'll check in later for your reply. Have a great day!

Welcome to OSP Kimberly!! Great work!

Sabrina, Kris, Leann, Abby, Ginger, Alyssa -- wOw, thanks sooo much!!



No, I left that part out =). I've been an avid photog hobbiest since having children... my trusty old point and shoot and I were like "this" up until about a year ago. I got serious and bought my first dSLR last June with the intention of eventually taking it to a professional level. I've been honing the technical side and portfolio building ever since.

Anyway, I really appreciate the encouragement! I'm relatively new to weddings (I'm used to chasing kids around) and I'm just realizing that maybe I can do it... and more than anything I totally love it! I think (I hope) I found my groove.

Sabrina & Ginger,



Of course I don't mind!

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We're at the base of a below-ground loading dock/tunnel/ramp...thing, that's backlit by the blaring sun. Here are my settings and equipment:

20d | tamron 28-75 2.8 | ss 250 | f/5.0 | iso 400 | manual

I metered off the ground right beside and in front of the bride. When I started snapping away, my little in-camera meter ticker claimed to be overexposed (b/c of the backlight), but I just ignored that and stuck with my settings. I don't know if that's the part you were asking about... I'm thinking y'all already know that part, but there you go just in case.

I also added a color fill of brown (reduced opacity) and used a scratchy brush to distress and make it less white and crisp in the background... hoping it would 'pop' the dress a little, diffuse the light and add a little dusty ambient glow. I used a layer mask and the gradient tool to remove all this from the bride.

Does that make any sense? I hope so. I'll be happy to answer any other q's

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I just stumbled into this thread. I love those shots. Very captivating!

~M