Kimberly Reed Photography

Flourish 2- wedding photography workshop

August 28, 2008

November is coming up quickly, which means Flourish deux is only a few months away! We still have spaces available, so if you are a wedding photographer who is looking for motivation and inspiration with your business and photography, head over to the Flourish website for more information and to reserve your space!

Angela, Kitty and I first came together with the intention of Flourish being a no-holds barred look at how- and why- we run our studios the way we do. We talk about what works for us and what hasn't. We talk about where we have come from and what we've done to get where we are today; owners of successful boutique photography studios in an increasingly saturated market.

January's attendees came from all over the United States and were at all different levels in their businesses. Some were considering making the leap into wedding photography, some were just starting out in the industry, and some were several years into being a full time wedding photographer and already enjoying successful businesses. Between the gourmet dinners, fabulous digs, and inspiring shoots, friendships were formed, knowledge was gained, and inspiration and ideas were planted. It's a business/practical/shooting/creative workshop all wrapped up in a gloriously indulgent little package. :)

Don't miss it.

adventures on the river

July 10, 2008

I've been wanting to learn how to kayak for quite some time now, and it's one of those things I haven't gotten around to yet. When my friend Barb recently mentioned that she and her husband Steve go kayaking pretty regularly, I casually invited myself along.

Last night, the three of us rented kayaks at Mon Yough Outfitters in Millvale. Barb and Steve were kind enough to give me a quick kayaking 101 lesson (which was along the lines of- sit down, and paddle). Now, I don't mean to brag or anything, but it's like I was born to kayak. It just came so naturally to me, almost like I was a kayak prodigy really, that I was a little embarrassed when I quickly left Barb and Steve in my wake.

Ok, that's a lie. Really, the first 45 minutes or so I spent trying to keep from paddling in circles. After that though, I slowly started to get the hang of it, and really enjoyed myself out on the water. It was a beautiful evening, and soo peaceful and relaxing just slowly (and I do mean slowly) paddling along the river. If you've never been, I enthusiastically recommend it. You can rent kayaks by the hour in Pittsburgh (by PNC Park) and in North Park through Kayak Pittsburgh, and Mon Yough (where we went) also does hourly rentals.

I brought along my little point and shoot camera, and snapped a few photos while we were out. I wasn't certain that I wouldn't end up completely submerged at some point during our excursion, so I had the camera safely tucked away in a ziploc bag. The first photo (of Steve), is kind of hazy because I left the camera in the bag while I took the photo. :) The next two, you'll notice, are much clearer, as it was the end of our trip and my confidence was built up to the point that I was pretty certain the mere act of pressing the shutter button on my camera wouldn't cause me to topple overboard. (The first half of the trip, I wasn't so sure.)

Happy Birthday Michelle

June 23, 2008

It's been a little over 3 months since my sister passed away. Today is her birthday (she would be 33 today), and my family wanted to get together and do something special. My mom had the idea of planting a tree for her, and that morphed into planting a garden. So I left Philadelphia yesterday morning and drove straight to my brother-in-laws house to meet my family. Here are a few photos I snapped throughout the evening (pictured are Michelle's son Dominic, 5, and daughter Ashley, 8, Michelle's husband, my mom and dad, my sister Melanie and her husband, and my husband). There will eventually be a stone pathway and a pond:

Happy Birthday Michelle. I miss you.

{June 23, 2008 9:37 PM} Susan Solo said: What a wonderful way to celebrate and remember Michelle. The garden is beautiful and it looks like a lot of love went into it.

{June 23, 2008 11:17 PM} kitty maer said: Yeay! What a beautiful way to remember her year after year as the garden grows and blooms!

{June 23, 2008 11:58 PM} Mary Boyko Skinner said: Hi Kim, So we're in Mexico! We are sitting on our terrace reminiscing about the wedding and I thought I would check out your blog and see if there was any chance of a pic or 2 being posted. What I found instead is this beautiful memorial remembering the life of your sister. When you said a few weeks ago there was a death in the family, I would never imagine it to be a sibling. You witnessed how I was with my family, so I can only imagine what you are going through. I'm so sorry for you're loss. Thank you for everything. You were so amazing and now knowing under what circumstances, I'm just blown away... Thank you Kim. And Happy Birthday Michelle. Mary & Dave

{June 24, 2008 9:54 AM} Jaci Clark said: What a beautiful tribute to your sister and what a great way for your family to remember her. Happy birthday Michelle! Jaci

{June 24, 2008 2:48 PM} Leah said: Kim, This is such a beautiful way to celebrate your sister's life. I have tears in my eyes!

{June 24, 2008 8:22 PM} Sheri Porterfield said: Kim, Beautiful images from a beautiful day. Could not think of a better way to remember your sister on her birthday. Hope you enjoyed a special day with your family...

what i've been up to

June 20, 2008

So when I get super busy, as I have been lately, I often neglect my poor little blog (although I'll often think- ohhh, I have to blog that!). Here's what I've been up to over the past 6 weeks or so.

- I celebrated my 29th birthday. Happy Birthday to me!

- I went with my mom to get her 5 year post-cancer mammogram. Everything was clear, so she has officially been breast cancer free for 5 years. Yay mom!

- Ray and I did the Race for the Cure. We didn't finish in the time that we hoped, but we weren't too far off. Thanks again everyone who supported us. This also made me remember that I really, really, don't enjoy running.

- During a moment of insanity, I signed up for a fitness bootcamp that met Monday through Friday at 5:30 in the morning for 4 weeks. That means I had to get up at 4:30 am to make it there on time. I wish I could say that I sprang out of bed every morning all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (as my mom would say), signing a tune about rainbows and butterflies. The truth is, at that time of day, I spend the first 15 minutes I'm awake just cursing. I'm sooooo not a morning person. Should you ever hear me mention doing something like that again, which necessitates me waking up that early, that many days in a row, you have my permission to punch me in the face.

- While driving to the first day of bootcamp I bottomed out on a speedbump on the way there, which put a hole in the oil pan of car. Unbeknownst to me, all of my oil drained out while I ran laps and did push ups in the rain for an hour, so my car was in bad shape by the time I got it to a garage. I was *this close* to needing a new engine. Ouch.

- Ray got me a point and shoot camera for my birthday! I haven't had a little camera like this in years, so I'm super excited about it! I'm not kidding when I say I still need to figure out how to use it.

- In the past 5 weeks, I've had weddings in Pittsburgh, New York, Chicago, and I'm currently in Philadelphia for a wedding this weekend. Have I mentioned I love to travel?

- I had a group of local photographers at my studio and gave a little talk about myself and my studio, my approach to photography, and did a short little presentation on how I use studio lights during Femme Couture sessions. Good times.

- I'm in Philadelphia for a wedding, and staying with my best friend from college. I used to live out here and always love to come back. She is a graphic designer, her family owns a vineyard and winery, and she and her husband recently opened a wine and cheese store in Doylestown. I love these guys.

That's all for now! The office is closed until Monday, June 30. I'll be returning phone calls after that. I'll have limited email access, so the best way to reach me will be via email, although my response time will be delayed.

sad news

June 1, 2008

My grandmother passed away this morning. Please keep my family in your prayers- especially my father, who has lost his daughter and mother now within the last 10 weeks.

I'm still in Chicago right now but will be back in Pittsburgh this evening. I'll be taking a few days off to be with my family and will be returning phone calls and emails at the end of the week.

{June 2, 2008 7:38 AM} jessica del vecchio said: Oh,Kim. My heart and thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Sending you a big hug.

{June 2, 2008 9:26 AM} Karen said: KIM!!!!!!! BIG HUGS your way. I was just thinking about you and your sister LAST NIGHT and wondering how your family was doing.....please do shout if you need ANYTHING!

{June 2, 2008 10:36 AM} Leah said: Oh Kim, I am so sorry! We will be praying for you and your family, especially your Dad.

{June 2, 2008 11:25 AM} Jaci Clark said: I hope you were able to catch an earlier flight and get home. My thoughts are with you and your family! Jaci

{June 3, 2008 12:25 AM} kitty maer said: Oh no, Kim. I'm so sorry to hear this news. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

{June 3, 2008 6:22 PM} Tiffany said: Kim, I am terribly sorry to hear about your grandmother~ Wow, your family has been through too much. My thoughts are with you!

{June 4, 2008 1:58 AM} Justin Kownacki said: Sorry to hear it. As someone who tries to keep things in perspective, I look to the upside in all cases. For example, someday you'll be a bestselling author on the power of the human will during tough times. (And you'll also be able to take your own book jacket photo.) Best wishes.

{June 4, 2008 9:43 AM} kate kasmoch said: Kim I'm so so sorry to hear about your grandmother. You, your father and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

{June 4, 2008 10:23 AM} Kimberly said: Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. Jaci- I was on standby for an earlier flight, but didn't make it on, so I ended up getting home at my original time. Justin- Ha! The thought has crossed my mind... Thank you again everyone. I appreciate your warm wishes for my family. xo, ~k

{June 4, 2008 4:04 PM} spoon said: so sorry for your loss Kim. you're always a beacon of sunshine to us when times are rough so next time I see you expect some doug hugs.

{June 4, 2008 4:22 PM} Susan Solo said: Kim, I'm so sorry for your loss. This absolutely breaks my heart that your family has had to endure so much in the past few months. I'm thinking of you.

{June 5, 2008 12:28 AM} Sohail and Salma Khwaja said: Kimberly, Our prayers are with you and your family. Sohail and Salma Friends of Chughtai Family

{June 7, 2008 4:13 PM} Angela Anderson said: you know where to find me if you need me, if you need anything

{June 9, 2008 12:18 PM} simone said: chica, my deepest condolences my dear. as always you are held up high in our thoughts and prayers.

race for the cure - update

April 28, 2008

I've run twice so far, about 2 miles each time, and tonight I went to yoga for the first time in...well, let's just say it's been a while. :) Two weeks to go!

If you'd like to support me in the race, click here. Thanks to Kim, Jessica and Kitty for supporting me so far!

Race for the Cure

April 22, 2008

Well, I'm doing it again this year. Pittsburgh's Race for the Cure is Sunday, May 11, and Ray and I will be running in it again this year. In case you don't know, the Race for the Cure is a 5k that takes place every year on Mother's Day to raise money for breast cancer research. This is a cause close to me, because my mother and and one grandmother are breast cancer survivors, while my other grandmother died from the disease.

If you remember from last year, I signed up with grand intentions of training for months in advance, so I could complete my first 5k with a respectable time. It didn't quite work out the way I imagined: I ran once or twice before the race, and while I did run the entire race and complete my first 5k that day...well...let's just say my pace was less than desireable. Think: people that were walking briskly were passing me. :)

This year, in addition to actually completing the race, I'd like to do so in under 35 minutes. While that time would make an actual runner laugh out loud, it's quite ambitious for me, considering the last time I ran was almost a year ago, at last years' Race for the Cure. It looks like I need to dust off my running shoes.

If you would like to support me in the race by making a tax deductible donation to aid the fight against breast cancer, click here to donate. My goal is to raise $300, and any lit bit helps. I'll keep you posted on my training progress!

Vote!

April 22, 2008

Just a reminder that the Primaries are today in Pennsylvania. So if you live in PA make sure you make it out to vote today!

Logic puzzle

April 10, 2008

Just a little something to pass the time if you're bored at work. My dad forwarded this to me- I love stuff like this. Can you figure out the solution?

Click here

new show

April 3, 2008

Forgive my lack of blogginess...I have lots to blog about but not so much time to actually blog. :)

I have a solo show at the West Wing Gallery in Shadyside that I hung on Tuesday. It will be up until May 31st. I have 30 pieces in it, which make this my largest show yet. I'm excited about that. The entire show is of my abandoned spaces series, which is a personal project of mine. If you haven't seen any of my abandoned spaces series, I have a gallery of images up under 'portfolio' on my website.