You may remember our Mom of the Month editorial. Well, with our new site launch — it’s one of the things we’ve brought back! Each month we showcase one momma who does it all and stays sane — a super-hero momma! Take a sneak peek into their life for the day – from sun up to sun down and all the chaos in between to see just how they do it! See all of our past {M.O.M} here.
We are so absolutely thrilled to bring you are first Mom of the Month of 2012. And who might the super-momma be? Kim Flores of Whimsy Baby Photography. Wow, is she amazing. You may remember seeing her beside me in my Tori Spelling interview — we thank her for my headshots, and many of the beautiful pictures on cupcakeMAG. {Like here, and here.} I seriously could go on for days on how she is just perfection {and she would say, she is far from it!} Not only is Kim a wife, mother to 4 little girls {yes, we are twins!} and a multi-tasking Goddess {read more about her here!} but, she is the genius photographer behind Whimsy Baby.
Lucky for me, I spent the day with her {and I never wanted to leave!} in her oh-so-sweet studio! {she blogged about it here!} Warm, inviting, and just perfectt — I immediately felt at home with Kim. She is just one of the nicest gals I’ve met! Not to mention, we have everything and the kitchen sink in common. We spent the morning working on pretty pictures {Little Trendstar spotted here!} for my Tori Spelling interview and get the in-and-outs of just how a session works with my little one, Sadie. And oh my gosh, not your average portrait studio at your local mall. Kim has a very creative mindset and captures perfect memories. Once your session is over, she edits to perfection and creates you the most beautiful online gallery {music included!} to look through and choose your prints. No lie — I looked through Sadie’s gallery {60 images plus!} over ten times. I was completely smitten of her work — again, genius!
Kim & Sadie, behind-the-scenes of our shoot
So, I guess I should stop going on and on about how wonderful Kim is and let you read for yourself. Read our chat below with the lovely shining star herself and if you’re in the MD/DC/Baltimore area – book a session now. Jump on it, she’s one busy lady! {We are so lucky to have her in our life!}
1.) You are brilliant and seriously, amazing at what you do. How did you get there? When did the lightbulb go off that you wanted to be a Mompreneur? {or camera flash in your case}
First of all, I am totally blushing. Thank you for the compliment! I would like to say it has been a long road getting here, but in all honesty…the time just flew by! I started the business in 2006, after learning the craft as a hobby. I wanted to take better photos of my own children after a bad chain store experience. It was an immediate addiction. Photography and editing is amazing outlet for creativity!
2.) What do you find the most challenging when it comes to managing your business and your family?
What is NOT challenging when it comes to managing a family and a business?! I would say, time management is easily what I struggle with the most. I have four kids 7 and under. They home school, and my business is full-time. Between family and work, the days seem to fly. But, at the end of the day, I usually feel accomplished in my goals for the day(usually anyway!).
- My sweet Sadie girl! {you may remember the little 34 weeker!
3.) Do you have some of your own photo tips you can share with us?
Absolutely! The number one tip I could share for parents taking photos of their children is to evaluate the light. When photographing them outside, place them in open shade. Find a place with shade, but that is not covered by trees. You want the open blue sky to light their face up (for those sparkling eyes!). The shade produces nice soft light, while the open sky keeps there face bright. When shooting your babies indoors, position them as close to a window as possible. You should be able to see the light in their eyes. If there eyes don’t have that “sparkle”, move them until you can see it. And most importantly, don’t stress over shooting only the smiles. Don’t force your child to smile for the camera. My favorite images of my own children are the those not smiling. a curious wide eyed gaze into the camera is soulful and natural.
4.) What are some of your favorite props to use in the studio?
Another tough question!! I am quite the prop addict. If you ever go into my back prop room and beyond, you can quickly see that! My favorites props as of recent are my vintage buckets, and the blue tufted settee. The settee is great for families and children of all ages. I don’t hesitate to ask the kids to jump and play on it. Positioned right near my window, it’s a great way to get good expressions.
how adorbs is this little diva?
5.) If you could photograph any person in the world, who would it be and why?
I would love to photograph my good friend
Lori Williams of Studio Williams, with her family. She is a hard working mother, and like me, is rarely behind the camera. It’s incredibly tough spending years capturing great memories of other families when you can’t take the time to do it for your own. She lives a few states away, but one day, I hope to photograph her with her babies!
If I could pick another person…it would be a little person….maybe one of Tori Spellings babies! I adore her!
6.) What camera do you shoot with?
I currently shoot with a Nikon D3s and a D700 back up. I have a range of lenses I like, but usually go to my 50 f/1.4g when indoors.
7.) Where do you pull inspiration from?
Everywhere. I am a visual person, and love Pinterest even though I am still a newbie! As for other inspiration, I adore so many photographers. Recently, Kristen Cook has become one of my biggest inspirations. There is something so soft, real and natural about her newborn imagery.
{Kim’s precious girls — aren’t they just so cute?!}
8.) What tips do you have for other Moms out there trying to making their “own” business work?
Take the time to do it right. So often do I see moms jump into the business. Hang a shingle before you are ready and you will burn out faster than you started. While photography is an amazing career, any professional photographer will tell you, it is only 10% photography. The rest is business. Running a business with young children is NOT an easy task by any means. When my kids are grown, I am sure I will look back to believe these are the most challenging years of my life. In a good way though;)
See, we told you! Kim is just pure-sweetness!
Kim, I can’t thank you enough for your time, friendship, and for just being you – amazing. You deserve an award way above Mom of the Month! Lots of love my dear.
{All Things Whimsy Baby photography by Kim Flores}
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twitter} — she is a newbie! follow her now!
As if being the ringleader of five children under the age of ten isn't enough to leave Washington, DC-based stylist CASI DENSMORE-KOON entirely tapped, she's also the endlessly effervescent founder of fashion-centric website cupcakeMAG, its babies and kids focused sister-site cupcakeMAG Littles, design + home inspiration-site cupcakeMAG Home and a blogger at parent-approved online mag Disney's Babble.com. Casi has the expertise of a mom and the taste of an editor. Casi is a social influencer with a large celebrity fan base and is known for placing small biz products into the hands of A-list celebrities.
Casi, a lifestyle + parenting trends expert who has been blogging for six years was interviewed and named Momprenuer of the Month by Tori Spelling. Casi's work has been published by Yahoo! Shine, Huffington Post, Hyperion, Disney Baby, Beso.com and Today's Parent. Casi is currently working on her first book due out next year.
Wow, this is an amazing article. I LOVE her site now — great inspiration. Maybe when I come to DC I can book a session for my family! I am so glad cupcakeMAG showed her off. You are right, she is SO fab!
Love the article Casi!!! I agree, Kim is amazing and one of the sweetest! Congrats Kim, you are awesome!!!!! XOXOXO