Kelly Moore Blog

Eli

Kelly — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:34:38 +0000

This is sweet baby Eli Eli is the son of some of our best friends Heather and Thomas(you may remember them from their engagement shoot 3 years ago).
Heather tricked me into shooting Eli since she knows I don’t photograph kids! The great part is he is super cute and really easy!!

Here are a few…

RADLAB

Kelly — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:57:35 +0000

In 2006, I attended my first photography workshop in Austin, TX. It was called the “Anti Workshop”, and was hosted and taught by Doug & Chennin Boutwell & John Michael & Dalisa Cooper. I was star struck. These guys were big time (if you know what I mean). I soaked up everything they said like a sponge! I’d say my first taste for exploring creative lighting came from these guys.

I remember Doug telling us about something he was working on. He told us about his upcoming project to offer actions to photographers & swore us to secrecy (as if that’s possible in a room of 130 photographers). He even gave us a sample to use until he launched his new product. All this to say, this, “little project” he was working on changed my life…well, my photography life at least.

Doug soon launched his new venture, “Totally Rad Actions“, and it took the photography industry by storm. I’ve been using these actions since they first launched, and I only get more excited with each new product he puts out. His most recent genious baby is “Rad Lab“. You can read more about it on their site, but I can tell you it takes the amazing actions he’s known for to a whole new level. You can open your photo into a filter pallet and see what your photo looks like in seconds with a countless array of options. Then you can stack the different looks and change the opacity of each to get your very own looks. Sorry if my description isn’t the most technically accurate way to explain

Anyways, I’ve had lots of people ask me lately how I edit my photos in Photoshop, so I thought I’d share, and I couldn’t share without pimping out Totally Rad. This is NOT a paid advertisement. This is me wanting to share with the world the products that I love most.

Some have also asked what format I shoot in. Prior to bringing my images into Photoshop and editing them using Rad Lab, I shoot in raw, bring them into Adobe ACR & Bridge to color balance and do basic tweeks, then I save them as Jpgs. Once they are Jpgs, then I bring them into PS to do my final editing.

Below are a few images I took the other day. You can see the whole shoot here . I opened up the images in Photoshop using the Rad Lab Filter system, then just took a screen shot so you could see the “recipes” that I used. You can see the before and after shot on the left, and some of the options that you have on the right. Let me know if you have any questions!

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO SEE THEM LARGER AND TO SEE THE “RECIPE” TO THE RIGHT OF THE SCREEN

This last one is from my previous post on my “backyard bliss”. I wanted to share it because the colors were so pretty! When I saw it in Rad Lab, it looked like candy!

April “Monthly Giveaway” Winner!

Stephanie — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:30:41 +0000

Thanks to everyone for continuing to participate in our monthly giveaway.

April winner: Sara Kinnison

Please email us at sales@kellymoorebag.com to get your new bag!

Backyard Bliss

Kelly — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:24:15 +0000

We moved into our house about a year and a half ago. We have spent the last year renovating and making it our own(click here to see my previous post).

When we moved in, there wasn’t really a backyard. It was more like: House/Woods, which was great, but I really wanted a space to be able to entertain as well as spend time as a family outside. I consider myself very lucky to have married a man that can do just about anything. I’m thankful my dad ran off all those musicians & artists and talked me into marrying a country boy

Over the past year, Kelly Boy has thinned out part of the woods, added a deck and fenced in the the backyard. We now affectionately call it “Clark Park”. I’ve gradually added my outdoor furniture, and planted flowers and herbs so that it feels cozy and inviting.

As you may have heard me say before, I have an addictive personality, and my latest addiction has been gardening. I guess there are worse things to be addicted to! Growing up, I never really understood why so many people loved gardening so much. This spring, I have discovered the therapeutic benefits of working in the dirt and watching things grow.

Here are a few shots of my backyard. I hope you enjoy!

DIY Pallet Planter
Venezia Chair Mustard Yellow: CB2
Dining Tables & Benches: CB2
Swing Chair: Ikea
mosquitocurtains.com
Vintage Tulip Furniture

Summer is here!!!

Kelly — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:09:25 +0000

I absolutely love summer! I always have. Even though, down here in Louisiana, we have to deal with the unbearable humidity and heat, I still love the feeling that summer brings. Ponytails, little makeup, sandals, snow cones, swimming & flowers. These are just a few things that inspire me about the summer.

I’m excited to bring you 3 new colors of bags that are inspired by the summer:
2 Sues Bag – Indigo
2 Sues Bag – Orange Sherbet
B-Hobo Bag – Fuchsia

Now go out and enjoy your summer!

Erica

Kelly — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:18:36 +0000

Thanks to all the folks that worked together last minute to make this shoot happen!
Model: Erica Silverman
Hair: Stormie Robinson
Assistant: Josiah Kennedy
Makeup: Sarah Diaz
Shoes: Songbird of Ruston
Clothing: Rodeo Boutique: Ruston, LA
Clothing: Tallulah’s: Ruston, LA
Location: T.L James House: Ruston, LA

Skirt & Earrings: Rodeo Boutique
Top: Tallulah’s of Ruston
Shoes: Songbird of Ruston

Dress & Earrings: Rodeo Boutique

Top, Shorts & Earrings: Rodeo Boutique
Shoes: Songbird of Ruston

Po & Chap

Kelly — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:48:19 +0000

It was time for a sister shoot! I just thought it was hard photographing one…shooting the both of them just about sent me over the edge.

As you may know, I’m a spur of the moment type of gal, so despite all the things I “needed” to get done this day, I chose to take pics of my beautiful girls. I guess the stars aligned just right. The weather was nice, it was a good hair day for Posey, and they were both in great moods. Of course, as soon as we arrived to the location, which was just down the road from our house, Posey got stung by a wasp. It was pretty much down hill from there. She cried & whined most of the shoot. Chapel was great, except this was her first full on experience with tall grass. She was amazed, so she spent 100% of her time trying to get her hands on it.

All this being said, it’s good for me to do these shoots to remember why I stopped shooting kids a long time ago. I’m just not good at it! I prefer subjects who listen to me and obey I so respect child photographers! The shoot was somewhat salvaged by me bribing Posey with frozen yogurt. I could hear the words coming out of my mouth, and I realized I was one of those parents that always annoyed me while I shot their kid….threatening, bribing, begging. I was pittiful! In fact, Posey’s teacher later told me that Posey came to school and said, “My mommy took my picture. I was scared. She was acting crazy.” HA!! Busted!

I’m sure I’ll keep photographing them, even though I promise myself next time I’m going to hire someone else to do it…..did I mention how much I adore these girls?? I’m so thankful that God has given us these two(polar opposite) gems to care for. Amazing.

Tent & Quilt by: Zozo Buy Baby

EAT. HER. UP!

This may look like Po is having a blast, but you are actually witnessing her in a full on tantrum!

Silver

Kelly — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:24:45 +0000

One day I want to write a book called, “The life cycle of a photographer”. Having been a photographer for 15 years, I’ve gone through so many seasons in my career, and watched my passion for my craft ebb and flow. About two years ago, I was really burned out. It’s not that I didn’t love photography, but I was just tired. As a photographer, in order to stay on top of your game, you have to constantly flex your creative muscles, so there is no “cruise control” in my world. So my tired wasn’t physical, it was mental. I needed a break.

My break couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Last year, we met Candice, and I was able to devote 5 months to her as she prepared to give birth.(read more about our adoption). I was also thankful to be able to devote more creative energy & time to Kelly Moore Bag. People have constantly been asking me if I missed shooting. I felt extremely guilty when I said no, like I had betrayed my first love. The truth is, I have been enjoying my time off more than you can imagine. I had been shooting weddings FOREVER, so I had no concept of having a free weekend. This year I realized something…..did you know other people are off on weekends!? This year has been the first time in my adult life where I could go to birthday parties, hang out with friends and family who are also off, or spend the day in my flower beds. It’s been bliss

Over the past couple of months, I’ve began to feel something it the pit of my stomach. I wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but I finally figured it out….it’s the shooting bug!! I was excited to feel it again, because in the back of my mind, I feared I’d lost my drive to shoot. I’ve found myself day dreaming again about ideas, lighting, and shooting techniques. YAY!!

I don’t know exactly what my future looks like with shooting. I’m not sure I’m ready to get back into paid gigs. I think I may just rest here for a while…shooting for myself as my creative outlet. I guess I’ll just wait and see. As for now, my plans are to shoot throughout the summer, and try to materialize all the things that are swimming in my head. Stay tuned, and PLEASE share your thoughts! If you have any ideas, I’d love to hear them!

Here are a few from yesterdays shoot. Tiffani has modeled for me before, and I was thrilled to shoot her again. She has such a unique look, which I love. It was my first time working with Sarah Diaz, a local makeup artist. Isn’t she brilliant! I have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of her work soon. Josiah, thanks for helping out. It’s great to work with you again.

Anna-Rose

Kelly — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:15:28 +0000

I’ve been itchin’ to shoot lately, so I was thrilled when Anna-Rose agreed to let me photograph her! This weekend is her prom, so it was perfect that we were able to use her dress…and can I mention prom dresses have made a drastic improvement since my day’s at prom.

I also just purchased the new Canon 5d Mark III, and I couldn’t wait to try it out. I was beyond pleased with the upgrades from the Mark II. The focus ability, even at wide apertures, was absolutely worth the upgrade.

Thanks Anna-Rose for letting me play! You are beautiful.
Thanks Josiah for scouting this great location and for assisting me.
Thank you Stormie Robinson for the FABULOUS hair!! You are a rock star!

My *hope* for the summer is do many shoots like this, so stay tuned!

Give Me Moore (Group Workshop)

Kelly — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:01:55 +0000

Sorry, but this workshop is now full!!

When?
May 16, 2012

What Time?
10:00am-7:00pm

Where?
Ruston, LA

How Many People?
up to 8 folks

What will we cover?
We will cover lighting(both natural & off camera), posing, editing, and much more. This will be a very laid back day, and no questions are off limits. The majority of our time will be spent photographing. I will have several models, and we will travel to many locations throughout the day. If you have specific questions and topics you’d like to talk about, bring them on!

You can view images from my past workshops here:
http://kellymoorephotography.com

How Much?
$800

When do I need to pay?
When you reserve your seat

What experience level should I be?
This workshop is open to anyone, however, if you are a beginner, and are not familiar with aperture, shutter speed and ISO, you may feel overwhelmed. I recommend that attendees have a basic knowledge of these things. I will be teaching you how to shoot in manual, so if you have no knowledge of SS, A & ISO, you may be very overwhelmed. Hey, there is a month until the workshop, you have time to read up and learn these things!

Are there any equipment requirements?
You must shoot with a DSLR camera, and I *recommend* you having better lenses than “kit” lenses. It’s not a must, but to teach you how I shoot, you really need lenses that will allow you to shoot to your full potential. I’m a prime shooter, so I recommend prime lenses, but again, not a requirement. Also, I will be teaching off camera lighting. I will set up my equipment and teach with this, but if you have speedlights/stands/pocket wizards, please bring them.

What form of payments do you accept?
When you register, I will send you a paypal request, and you can pay via credit card.

What is your cancellation policy?
All amounts payed are non refundable.

What if I’m local?
Come on! Everyone is welcome.

Register:
Workshop is FULL!! YAY!

Let us know if you have any other questions!
sales@kellymoorebag.com