The Chosen Few: Ashley & Chris

Ashley and I go way back...she did an awesome love session at her amazing farm months and months ago that you can catch up with HERE. So, super lucky me, when her super awesome man proposed in the sweetest way possible and she came a-calling for wedding photography! :) Yay!

I asked her if she was planning to use her love session images for her Save-the-Dates and she went "Well, yes, and maybe you'll think this is silly, but I still kinda want to do another session just because we're engaged now and I want an official session to celebrate, even though the only difference is that I'm wearing a ring now. Is that silly?" Ummm....NO! Of course I was thrilled to have another opportunity to shoot with them, and as you know, I never turn down a chance for more portrait practice and fun with a couple before their wedding day. Chris and Ashley are going to be pros! I'm so, so happy to have them on board and can't wait for their big day.

PS. Make sure to check back later in the Fall...I'm pretty sure her bridal portraits are going to be out of this world amazing. And of course, I'll have to squirm, sitting on them all summer, until after she gets married. ;)

Giving Back: Peace From the Inside Out

I have always had a heart for giving back. To me, the phrase "blessed to be a blessing" is not just a cliche of warm fuzzies, it's a calling and an extension of my character (or perhaps better stated, what I hope for my character to be). I very strongly believe that staying connected with the community, and stepping out with a servant heart, should be the keystone to any small business, but especially when your business is some form of art and creative expression. It's my job to connect with the deep emotional threads of life in my images, and to me, the very best way to fundamentally dial in to the lifeblood of what I'm trying to achieve is to invest time and energy into offering myself to others in service. It inspires me, it motivates me, it compels and challenges me. The time I've spent in service has blessed me far beyond anything I could have ever expected or imagined. The people I have met have so encouraged and rejuvenated my soul, that I can honestly say I'm a different person because of them. You can read up on some of my other projects, like Homeless 2 Housing, by catching up with other "giving back" posts on the blog HERE.

Most recently, I had the great honor of creating some super quick, last minute basic portrait shots for our own Hampton Roads native, Miss Bianca Neff. She's been an active global humanitarian for 20 years, with a primary focus in anthropology and international conflict resolution, dedicating herself to grassroots peace-building efforts from the inside out. She works with local leaders in the developing world, more specifically, in regions of violent conflict, to empower them to effectively communicate the needs of their communities to international aid programs and other area leaders. Her program is called Baaham Peacebuilders. Baaham means "together" in Farsi/Dari, dovetailing perfectly with her vision to bring aid workers and local leaders together to restore peace and hope effectively and courageously.

I'll let Bianca speak for herself and the ambitions she has for healing the broken parts of our world, but I'll lead into her passion by saying she is by far one of the most motivated, self-sacrificing people I have ever met. She communicates in a way that makes you feel important and valued, and it's clear she's been called to make big waves in this world. She is fearless and focused and I find her outlook on peace to be fascinating and beyond tremendous. Without further ado, here is the lady of the hour in her own words...



After years of cross-cultural experience in countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America and also at United Nations headquarters in Geneva, I’ve witnessed a worldwide peacebuilding behemoth that has become more and more programmatized with time. My mission in life is to help “rehumanize” the field of reconciliation and global conflict resolution by caring personally for the courageous leaders who face incredible odds. Baaham rehumanizes the field of international peacebuilding by meeting the very real and often neglected needs of leaders of global peace movements. We exist not just to support their “programs” but for them as people, as individuals, as leaders. Alongside them, together we face the good, the bad, and the ugly. Theirs is an extremely tough and complicated reality of working for peace in war and conflict zones. As the founder and CEO of Baaham, I am committed to providing them the support they need for success. No issue is too messy for us—peace leaders need someone to walk with them through all kinds of thorny personal and professional issues. The world cannot afford to lose these valuable leaders to burnout and emotional exhaustion! By caring for their mental health and by providing personal counseling and coaching under a wider umbrella of leadership development, we do what others fail to do, which is to keep peace leaders healthy in their fields of violent conflict.

One of Baaham’s recent clients is a fabulous Syrian human rights lawyer with an amazing commitment to his country. As Syria is embroiled in the planet’s most violent war at this moment, Baaham staff have been able to infuse this Syrian brother with hope, encouragement and mental and emotional health tools to keep going in his mission of teaching and training Syria’s next generation of human rights lawyers. His is but one life that we are strategically strengthening and undergirding.

Our current clients work in such wide-spread areas as the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, and Far East Asia. We also serve US-based personnel working in the fields of global peacebuilding and international human rights.



If you'd like to support Bianca's program and join in her efforts to bring peace to the hurt and broken areas of our world, beyond keeping her safety and needs in your prayers, you are also able to contribute directly towards her vital programming costs via PayPal, through her email address: baahampeacebuilders@gmail.com.

The Chosen Few: Nichole & Daniel

By now, you know Nichole & Daniel very well. Two of my very favorite, amazing all-around, fabulous people, dear friends and perfect clients. On the off chance you're in here for the very first time, you can read about them HERE. And HERE. Oh and HERE too. Oh wait, and Nichole snuck in HERE too. I told ya. They're loyal faves. ;)

To say I'm excited for Nichole & Daniel to become parents doesn't quite do it justice. In fact, I'm not sure what words would adequately describe how overjoyed I am for them. I'm not in the habit of shooting maternity sessions anymore now that I've focused on weddings, engagements and boudoir, but of course I couldn't pass them up when they asked me. And knowing Nichole and her heart for art and appreciation for photography, I knew it would push my own creative limits to new levels. Plus, I just like seeing their smiling faces. (Although Daniel did crack a joke about my not-so-subtle, super hot pink brand new Kelly Moore bag of awesomeness, for which I forgive him his manly disconnect from what is clearly the best bag on the planet.)

It rained on the day of their session. And being the champs that they are, they said, "We can get wet." So, after doing some inside stuff, we braved the weather, and Daniel played doting assistant covering me with a ginormous umbrella, and we rushed through some portraits. Normally, rushing and bad weather would give me an anxiety attack, but with them, everything comes so naturally, we just needed a few minutes and bam! Perfection.





Seriously, you guys know how much I love you. I am blessed to know you in more ways than I can count, and you are going to be two of the most spectacular parents I know. And our boys are going to be best friends. FOREVER.











PS. Don't forget to enter the blog relaunch giveaway!!! We've only got 2 days left. So, be sure to double back to Monday's post and get those last minute entries in! I'll announce the winners on Monday.

No Makeup March

We're in the thick of blog relaunch week (enter the super awesome giveaway!), so here's something a little bit different and more personal in nature. Welcome to my life!

Last week, I posted this picture (and a few others if you want to follow me on Instagram @kbsimplephoto) of my daughter and I as we joined the last week of the No Makeup March campaign.



(Taken with my iPhone, no filters, SOOC)

If you didn't hear about No Makeup March, I heard about it HERE, on one of my fave webpages, AltDaily. You may remember that AltDaily had a recent Share & Support Feature on the Hampton Roads Creative, which you can catch up with HERE.

In any event, No Makeup March. We joined the cause late, but for me, encouraging my daughter to remember that true beauty comes from within and that she didn't need makeup to be a good person was an important lesson whether we did it for one day, one week, one year or the rest of our lives. Hearing her protests that the kids would make fun of her and her discomfort with her own appearance made my heart hurt. My position was "Yes, this is hard. It won't be easy. But sometimes doing something right is more important than being popular. And you're standing up for women everywhere. And besides, I'm pretty sure when God created you, He didn't finish off with 'Done! I'm sure she'll look better once she puts some mascara on.' Nope, instead He said 'Done. She is perfect. She is mine.' So, let's do this thing." And we did.

Our picture was loved on for hours, with tons and tons of "likes" (ALL WOMEN!) and encouraging comments. I had Emily write down how her day felt. This is what she said:

"When I got to school and I got into my classroom, one of my friends said, "HUUUUHHHH???!!! EMILY, YOU DON'T HAVE MAKEUP ON." (Editor's note: She wrote this in capital letters - the only part with capitals - so I assume it made an impact on her.) When I was in my other class, my Science teacher came in and was like "Emily, you don't have makeup on. Now I can see your true beauty and it's nice to see a kid without black eyeliner all around their face." And she said thank you for letting me see your true beauty. So I have realized that I don't need makeup for people to notice me, so yeah, I can wear makeup but I, myself, (and you!!) don't need makeup to look beautiful. You're beautiful just the way you are. Show people what you really look like behind all that makeup!! Thank you. Love, Emily B."

My point with this blog post is that I think this idea needs to be shared constantly. Over and over and over again. I had a recent boudoir client who responded to her reveal (read about my heart for those HERE) with "You helped me see how perfect I am right now in this moment." Those were probably the most powerful words I'd ever heard coming from a client. I felt a sense of honor and trust that I can't put into words. It was a defining moment for me. One where I realized a true spiritual gift and made a promise to continue to seek opportunities to encourage and empower women.

As a society, as women, we need to love on each other. It's so easy to spend our moments categorizing other's shortcomings in some ill-equipped attempt to validate ourselves. We so often sit in front of the mirror and admonish every wrinkle, every dimple and curve. Take a moment to celebrate the woman you are and celebrate the women you know. Sometimes those few simple words of admiration are the highlight of someone's day. There should be more confidence in knowing that each and every one of us is "perfect right now in this moment."

I mean, seriously, can you believe this girl is scared to go to school without makeup? We can do better as a society. I can do better as a parent.

Orchestrated Stylized Shoots: Feather & Stone

This year was my very first time attending the WPPI conference in Las Vegas. I was supposed to go a few years back, but you know, these two tiny babies decided to make an appearance on the ultrasound machine and well, let's be honest, with my history, I wasn't too comfortable going far from home. Thankfully, the leads at WPPI were super excited for my surprise pregnancy and quite happily refunded every last cent to help convince me that staying home was best.

So, this year. So much different! It was my first long trip away from the boys and I was a woman on a mission. Along with Chelsea, it was our vision to host an awesome shoot that rocked the creative hearts of our participating photogs and vendors, make new artsy, life-long friends and develop the national presence for Orchestrated, complete with an ambitious venue meeting for Orchestrated at WPPI 2014. Our hearts and souls hoped for so much and we were blessed beyond measure on all counts (especially the life-long friends and super awesome venue for 2014 parts!!).

Feather & Stone. I can't say enough. The weather. Crystal clear. The venue. Perfection. The models. Timeless. The vendors. Inspiring.

And the photogs. Amazing!!





Seriously, the vendors that participated in this event went above and beyond in ways I can't even begin to adequately describe. The very best part about Orchestrated from the vendor standpoint is the chance to take a vision and run with it. Dig in, dream and just play. We all know that creative free play is a hot commodity in our industry, and something we often forget to enjoy, much less have lots of time for. Well, our vendors this go-round played their little hearts out and blew us away with their contributions. Across the board.

And a big shout-out to Angelica & Juliet from Green Orchid Events. Let's just say Angelica is a woman after my own heart. Her level of organization, commitment to quality and a well-executed vision, and quite frankly, her fab sense of humor...well, I love her. And Juliet came to play as one of our models and rocked some crazy awesome heels trekking through the desert terrain for us all (You go girl! Sacrifice for fashion!). If you need someone to take the reigns for your special events, these are your gals.

Oh, and how cool that one of our models is a Vegas vendor themselves!? Yay Harry O!

I'll stop talking and let the images speak for themselves. Can't wait for next year and be sure to stay up to date with Orchestrated for upcoming events...and be extra sure to keep up with our WPPI 2014 progress...I have this tiny, bitty, happy heart feeling this shoot is going to sell out in a hot second. :)

Oh and PS., Don't forget to enter the giveaway to take a chance at winning some yummy Dunkin Donuts bucks, photography lessons from me and design work from ShinyMagic! Click HERE!





































Our fabulous, earth-shattering in their awesomeness, vendor extraordinaires:

Concept Design | Chelsea LaVere | www.orchestratedshoots.com
Event Coordination | Green Orchid Events | www.greenorchidevents.com
Venue| Springs Preserve | www.springspreserve.org
Florals | Blossoms by Gayle | www.blossomsbygayle.com
Hair & Makeup | Your Beauty Call | www.yourbeautycall.com
Cake | Peridot Sweets | www.peridotsweets.com
Furniture Rentals | The Wooden Trunk | www.thewoodentrunklv.com
Stationery | The Girl Tyler | www.thegirltyler.com
Tableware | Dirty Dishes | www.dirtydishesonline.com
Linens | Pottery Barn | www.potterybarn.com
Bridal Attire | Free People | www.freepeople.com
Bridesmaid Attire | Bella Bridesmaid | www.bellabridesmaid.com
Mens’ Neckwear | Studio Arno | www.studioarno.co
Menswear | Tuxedo Junction | www.TuxedoJunction-LV.com
Feather Details | Stuffnfeathers | www.stuffnfeathers.etsy.com
Flatware | Every Last Detail | theeverylastdetail.com
Video | Jeremy Mitchell Cinema | www.jeremymitchellcinema.com
Groom | Harry O Productions | vegascitydjs.com

my little blog is all grown up now!

It's Relaunch Week!

What does that mean?

Well, for one, it means that Lynsey at ShinyMagic did her amazing creative stuffy-stuffs and built me an awesome new interface that now screams "I'm a real blog!" (a la Pinocchio style) instead of crying "Look at me and my not so bad-ass free blogger template self." For real, if you're looking for a graphic designer to take the reigns and put into play all the tiny thoughts in your head, Lynsey is your gal. And she rocks on the customer service side as well. You can follow her on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE. (And be sure to keep reading for some extra fun below!)

Secondly, I've got some great posts planned for this week that I've been saving up just for the relaunch. Now that I'm beyond my winter break and almost to the end of tax season, shooting has kicked it up into high gear and I've got lots to share! I'm post WPPI and ready to hit the ground running. And hopefully that means my archive numbers will reflect a bit more than I post to this blog once in a blue moon. I've committed myself to doing better blogging here, even if it's just tidbits and pieces of everyday life, which as we all know, has enough chaos and humor to support its own sitcom, so I shouldn't have any shortage of material. Oh and I'm still funneling lots of great business tips and creative encouragements to the Hampton Roads Creative, my blog baby #2 with the other local guys and gals, so keep up there as well.

And because every good relaunch deserves a giveaway, I'm trying my hand at the Rafflecopter tool that's popping up everywhere these days and celebrating new creativity with a few of my favorite things. Follow the steps below to win one of the following super fun items:

1. A $20 Dunkin Donuts gift card - Because you may not know this, but they make the best hot chocolate ever. EVER. $20 should buy you hot chocolate heaven for a full week. You're welcome.
2. An admission ticket to my May 19th Shutterbug Basics Class ($75 value) - Learn how to use that fancy DSLR and take better pictures of your kiddos and life in general. Yay!
3. A 50% off coupon for any item in ShinyMagic's Etsy shop (even blog design!) - See!? I told you Lynsey was awesome. She happily contributed to the relaunch and whoever wins this is going to be mega-happy.

The little Rafflecopter thingy is below, so check it out and follow the steps to earn lots of entries. The contest started today, April 1st (for real, no April Fools, I swear!) and will run through until midnight on Friday (well actually, midnight is technically Saturday, but you know what I mean), April 5th. Winners will be announced that following Monday.

Good luck!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

The absolute best part of shooting boudoir is the reveal.

Watching a woman see herself for the very first time...it's something to behold. It's a process. A journey. From the moment they book their session, to the day of their shoot, to waiting for their images to be finished...conversation is peppered with tiny insecurities. Tiny worries and wonderings about how they did, if the images are alright, what they'll think when they see themselves. You see, for that part of the experience, they only see themselves through the blurry reflection that they've accustomed themselves to. That jarred, unkind, unjust perception of who they think they are and how they're sure the world views them.

And then, the reveal happens.

In case you didn't catch it, a week or so ago on the Hampton Roads Creative, Sarah shared her personal journey with boudoir photography. You can read her post here. I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that the images from Sarah's session are the work I am most proud of to date. Being a part of her reveal is singularly one of the most meaningful moments of my artistic journey thus far and her bravery, beauty and candor took my breath away. To say I was honored that she trusted me with such a sacred part of herself doesn't adequately put to words what that meant for me.











Very recently, I booked a boudoir session for myself. It was time for me to challenge myself to walk my own path to my beauty, especially post-twinnies and deep into motherhood and full-time career mode. And honestly, you can't champion the beauty of others without first identifying the beauty in yourself. And as photographers, it's especially important for us to put ourselves in front of the camera purely to be reminded what it feels like. In any genre, it's vital to our success to intimately understand the client psyche so that we can create a workflow and approach that enhances their experience with us. To me, understanding what it means to be a woman, in all of our many facets, is the keystone to my approach; so sitting for my own session and experiencing my own journey was multi-faceted in that my husband got the best Christmas gift ever, I truly reflected and educated myself to my own beauty and I reminded myself of what it feels like to be you. I won't be sharing those images on here...but they just might pop up somewhere else, so keep your eyes peeled. :)

In the meantime, here are some more images from very recent sessions that I love, love, love.