20 on Tuesday | Stephanie Moore

I know I’ve mentioned BLOOM here before, but I’m doing it again today. If you’re a hobby or professional photographer and you’re looking for a community of fellow photographers of all skill levels and experience, head on over to the BLOOM Forum.  It’s full of people like me, who live and breathe photography but who are down-to-earth and helpful and encouraging and just plain kind.  It’s full of people like my friend Stephanie Moore.

When I first “met” Stephanie, she wasn’t in business.  She was a hobbyist of sorts.  But she was a hobbyist who knew her stuff. Really well! I was constantly amazed by the technical advice and detailed tutorials she posted on the forum.  But more impressive was the constant positive comments and encouraging words she offered to us Bloomies.  She is able to critique in a way that inspires you to improve without knocking your self confidence over.

Recently she launched her business with a beautiful new blog designed by Breeze of  Trust the Air.  I’m thrilled for her and know she and her business will soar this year.  And I’m lucky enough to be her roommate  when we meet in real life at the Face-to-Face workshop next month!  Can’t wait!

Hi Stephanie!

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Tempe AZ

Where is home now?

Memphis TN.  We moved to Mississippi 5 years ago so my husband could work on his PHd.  Then in August we moved to Memphis for his internship.

Are you formally educated or self-taught in photography?

Most of my learning has been self taught but I also have to give credit to the many workshops I have done and fellow photographers who have answered my millions of questions I have asked.

What led you to pursuing photography as a career?

My Dad has always been really big into photography.  He has always owned nice cameras and lenses and loved taking pictures so photography has always been a part of my life. After I had my daughter I started buying nicer cameras and wanting to learn but never did much about it.  Then after I had my son I started blog stalking and falling in love with photographers.  I was following Jasmine Star and Amy Wenzel way before I even knew anything about aperture or ISO.  The more I saw, the more I wanted to learn it all, so I decided to take my first workshop and the rest is history!

When you’re in a rut, what inspires you?

Ruts definitely happen over here!  When I am in a rut I love taking my daughter out to take pictures of her.  She is beautiful and an amazing model plus I get 100% control of styling her so it allows me the creative outlet I need and I always feel re-inspired.  
Talk to me about personal projects.  Are they important and what have you done lately?

I am SUPER excited about my personal project this year.  I am doing a 52 week project with 19 other FABULOUS photographers (including Wendy).  We have a theme each week and we take it and interpret it our own way and then put it on our blog.  It is so much fun to see these ladies work and to be inspired by them.  I also keep an online journal for my kids.  I write in it as often as I can.  I write what they are up to, new things they have learned, who their friends are, things they have done that I love and new habits I hate.  I also close each post with a current picture I have taken.  I love knowing that one day they can look back on their life with so much detail.  And also when they ask what was I like, or when did I start doing this, I have it all written down!

What would your ideal photo session look like?

I think about this all the time and hopefully with my goal of 2011 being “my” year you will get to see more ideals on my site.  For me styling is everything, I seriously gasp when my client pulls up in the perfect outfit, it really just sets the mood.  I love texture and location plays a huge part in that.   The ultimate ideal would be New York City with a senior girl.  The texture, lights, color and atmosphere would just make for an amazing session.  Most people that know my work know I’m a sucker for color, the more color I have to “pop” the happier I am!!!
If you could be invisible for one day with your camera…

Disneyworld for sure.  I think back on all the memories of our recent trip with our kids and had someone been there to document us they would have gotten the most genuine and real emotions.  I would love to go around and catch that for everyone who visits, to be able to freeze those moments that they could keep forever.

Name a photographer you would like to take a portrait of?

Jesh without a doubt, oh how I love him.  The way he conveys emotion through his words and pictures is just breathtaking.  I can tell he has such a deep soul, photographing him would be amazing!

What’s your best advice for balancing work and family?

It’s something you have to consciously think about every day.  Every day I have to stop and say, right now I am going to step away from work to spend more time with my family.  My kids are at a great age where they can easily play by themselves and be content so I have to take time to walk away and ask them if they want to play.  I am constantly reminding myself of what’s most important in my life. I have to so I never forget.

What’s in your camera bag?

Canon 5D, 24-70 2.8, 50 1.4 and 85.18

What have been your three best photography investments so far?

I honestly don’t even have to think twice about this, this has been the easiest answer for me yet.  Bloom Workshop, 5D and my new site and logo.  Bloom gave me the confidence I needed to start my business.  My 5D allowed me to be as creative as I wanted and achieve what I was looking for in my work.   And I can’t even describe my love for my new site, everything about it is just SO me.  I have been watching the progress of it over the last few months and I tell you I still get giddy every time I see it.

If not a photographer what would you have been?

I hate to think about that, photography has given me a creative outlet I have never had before. I would probably continue to be a stay at home Mom yearning for some creative outlet in life.

If you could live anywhere on this awesome planet where would you build your dream home?

If you had asked me this question 6 years ago I can only imagine the places I would have dreamt up. But honestly after living away from home for as long as we have I can truly say “there is no place like home.”  I miss the west more than I thought I would.  The mountains, the dry heat, the quick paced busy life, west coast style, and more than anything my family.  I have 2 wonderful parents, 4 amazing sisters and an awesome brother and sister-in-law who all live within 30 minutes of each other.  I am ready to be back out there with them.  But…  if you are asking me about a second home, that’s a different discussion. You can come visit me at my beach house anytime!!!!!

What talent would you most like to have?

Crafting.  I am totally the type that would way rather buy something than make it, I’m sure I could save so much money if I would just learn how to make it!

What are the three words your spouse would use to describe you?

I asked him and he said beautiful, selfless and lighthearted (I am one lucky girl, or he is one smart boy and knows how to butter me up).

Something that is over rated…

Money.  Now I’m not saying money isn’t nice.  I would love to have good money, trust me, my husband has been a student for long enough.  But I have learned money doesn’t buy happiness. We have been so happy these past 5 years.  Money has not bought any of our happiness, that’s for sure!!!

Your favorite movie of all time?

While You Were Sleeping, I have seen it so many times it’s ridiculous.

If you could change one thing you did while starting your photography business, what would it be?

I’m really happy with the way I did things.  I  tried to soak everything up and take lots of workshops and feel confident before I went into business.  But I wish I would have invested in my logo and website before I started my business, I think those things are so much more important that we first realize.
What quote best represents you at this moment?

My husband has been a student for over 5 years now and before my business I was a stay at home Mom.  These times have really brought us so close together.  It sounds so cliché to say he is my best friend but seriously my husband rocks, I am so lucky to have him and our 2 sweet kids.   So thanks to Judy Garland for this quote that sums our life up perfect!

“I can live without money, but I cannot live without love.”

Stephanie’s work can be found HERE.

Thank you, Stephanie!  See you next month.  🙂