Kim Bear Photography

Thanks you to a stranger

2012-03-01T14:29:00.000-08:00

This weekend I was told something awful... there was a (very) gross image on my site (not put there by me of course.) So if you saw this image I am so sorry. I took it down asap and have no idea how it got there.
But there was one stranger who spoke up...and for that I am thankful. I wish I knew who you were so I could share with you a thank you gift! So if you chance you are reading this and can email me with who you told and where the image was I have something special for you.

Thank you... Thank you... Thank you!

Stunning Lady

2012-03-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

Jody came to me because she wanted beautiful images of her for her kids and family so one day (in the far off future) they can have wonderful youthful images of herself for them. What a great gift for her family. Jody is so beautiful and easy. She has a tailored grace about her that is so unique and wonderful.

Beauty in Nature

2012-02-29T18:47:00.003-08:00

Beauty is all around. You just have to look for it.

More Mommy and Me

2012-02-25T19:40:00.002-08:00

I just can't get enough of this little firecracker (and her mama!) So sweet and spunky. I just love these kind of pictures. Totally you. Totally fun.

Mike & Shawna Beloved Session

2012-02-25T19:24:00.003-08:00

So...ladies... get your jealous on... Shawna is a beautiful woman. She is sweet, sexy, and so down to earth. I just can't say enough good things about her. So why would it surprise anyone how wonderful her husband is to her? I have taken a number of photos of their family and while Mike has been great... you can tell it wasn't his favorite thing in the world (sorry Mike!). Shawna came to me a few weeks back to do some super beautiful portraits of her for her husband. Well... as you can image he loved them, but while she was trying to surprise her, she was the one in the biggest surprise. After seeing her images he wasn't to do a beloved session with her. WOW! It was his idea ladies! (that is where the jealously comes in).
So men out there (if you made it this far)...if you want to make you lady melt, suggest a beloved session. Imagine surprising her with that! She would pop with excitement, plus you two get to have lots of fun together.
Thanks Mike and Shawna.

Hayden {Mommy and Me Session}

2012-02-22T16:18:00.000-08:00

Does it get any better to have a play date with one of your children? Having fun, giggling, rolling on the floor, playing ball.. and just being together. This little girl reminded me so much of my Ansley. So full of spirit and spunk. She seemed so big for a six year old! It was too much fun. This session is one of the main reasons I started shooting women. It was a session just like this when I first realized that moms don't have pictures of us loving and laughing with our children. So many special moments uncaptured. Thanks Corky and Hayden for a fun afternoon!

Baby Sophia

2012-02-19T07:44:00.000-08:00

Who does not love a sweet sweet SWEET baby? This is my newest Niece. They were here for a really quick trip and I got to take a few images of her... She has the cutest eyes and so much hair! I love it!

Shane and Jen Beloved Session

2012-02-19T07:17:00.000-08:00

So I love engagement sessions. The love between two people right before they are getting married is so full and alive. These two were no exception. An early morning..COLD early morning...session was hot! These two were so cute and fun. We were out for about two hours and while at the end we were all ice cubes I am so glad we went out. We had beautiful light and a wonderful morning!

Chic Critique

2012-02-08T14:31:00.000-08:00

So a forum I joined is doing a cover contest and I had this cool image of beautiful lady! So here is my entry! Thanks!
Check them out! http://chiccritiqueforum.com/

Cover Girl

2012-02-06T08:27:00.000-08:00

Beauty is not skin deep... it dwells inside of our spirit and radiates out through our smile, eyes, and our laughter.
Beautiful beautiful beautiful... those are the only words for this amazing woman!

Commitment

2012-02-05T11:59:00.000-08:00

What makes a session rock? Regardless if it is a glamour session, an engagement, or a senior... commitment! You can't just be there half way. You have to totally engage. I may ask you to do things you think are silly or just totally out of your comfort zone, but let me tell you...I have a HUGE vested interest in making you look awesome.

So being too cool for school isn't going to make you look great. Commitment.... commitment to the shoot..don't just show up. That may mean thinking about what you are going to wear well in advance or shopping for something really special. Think about accessories as well as outfits. What you wear will set the mood for the shoot. But most of all come to have fun... I promise you the more commit and engage the better you and your images will look!

Double the Beauty

2012-02-01T07:33:00.000-08:00

Girls like to have fun...together! So this valentine's day I am offering one session for two lucky girls to have some fun! Two friends... two sisters... a mother and daughter... treat yourselves to a fun day of getting glam and creating beautiful portraits of yourselves alone and/or together.
Our Day would star at 10:30 am with make up... a light lunch... and then photographic magic! This session is ~300.00 for hair and make up for two, a catered lunch, and one proof book of both of your images. The minimum order for this session is ~700.00. My usual session fee is a ~150 (including make up) per person with a ~500.00 minimum order...so this is a great deal.
I am only offering one of these Sessions on Tuesday, Feb. 14th! So if you are interested call now to scheudle!

Make up and Hair..oh la la

2012-01-27T20:01:00.000-08:00

I think that is way my make up artist and hair stylist says every time I call her for a shoot. She is so great at transforming women. What I love most about her is that she relaxes them for me. She is like my opening act. By the time we start to shoot my client feels beautiful, is relaxed, and is super excited. How fun it is to be pampered and look great doing it???
Aaryss Ashchenbrenner from Image Makers in Colby, KS is wonderful! She just knows her stuff and you can tell she loves it! I am so grateful for finding her and for her doing such an awesome job.
If you are thinking about having your hair and make up done (which I think everyone should) we do those sessions on Sunday and Tuesday afternoons. Come with unwashed hair and an undone face. If you are coming from work we will just wash you up and start over with a fresh glamour face!
Aaryss takes care of the rest! I love watching her pull everything out and before I know it rollers are hot, make up is hotter...and we are cooking.

Shhh....is't secret

2012-01-26T07:20:00.000-08:00

I love secrets (not ones kept from me of course), but I love good surprises. This valentine's day there will be quite a few lucky men out there when they see how beautiful their wife or girlfriend is on the inside and out!

My problem is I don't have tons of openings before Valentine's Day. So.... if you are thinking that it would be fun to get pampered with glamorous hair and make up and knock his socks off... schedule now. It will be here before you know it.

And no worries... while I love showing images on my blog... I only show the ones people let me. So your secret is safe with me! But I would say that many women who would never imagine putting an image up on my blog say after seeing them... " you can put this one up... I look beautiful and I want everyone to see!"

Which leads me to the question I get a lot "What do I wear?" Well... after photographing many women I have to say my favorite are ones that have a hit of mystery. Some of my favorite images have been with women wearing a gorgeous jacket with beautiful lingerie. I love outfits with texture and are sophisticated. My rule is... do you feel beautiful in it? Do you feel in control, sexy, beautiful, and glamorous. That feeling like "I got this." Because you do.

Don't call me cheap

2012-01-21T08:32:00.000-08:00

I was recently on a facebook page and someone was looking for a photographer. There were lots of comments with different recommendations. What struck me as almost insulting as a photographer is that many of the comments referred to different photographers as CHEAP!! ahhhh. I am sure they meant it as a compliment but wow. How would you like to be referred to as cheap. That the value of your work is Cheap..... not me... so please don't call me cheap.

I thought this would be a great opportunity to educate non photographers about the costs of photography. This is for me... I am sure others spend more or less.

Camera bodies: I have three digital, two 35 mm cameras film, and one medium format film camera. My cameras have cost me over $5500.00
Camera Lenses: My current lenses have cost me over about $5,000. I have sold many this year so you can add about 2k to that number if this was a year ago.
Insurance: About $1200 a year
Education: I purchase lots of books and subscribe to many on line resources. I typically spend about 1000 a year in education. On years I go to conferences I can expect to spend an additional 3-4 thousand.
Advertising: For me this includes print materials I hand out or mail out. I would also include any portraits I order to display. Typically that is around $500 a year.
Other equipment: Lights, wireless controls, camera bags, memory cards, batteries, backdrops, props, etc... LOTS! I have lost track. But it is never ending. Each of my batteries are $100.00 as well as each of my small 4 gb memory cards.
Time: can't count the number of hours spent... but it is a full time job learning.

If you want cheap pictures your best best is to go and buy a camera and kits lens for around $600 and take pictures to your hearts content. But if you want portraits that look professional and timeless than hire a professional who understand their equipment and lighting ... and understand that it isn't cheap.
I can understand that it is hard to understand why going to a professional costs so much. Everyone has a digital camera now and now even an iphone can take pretty nice pictures. But photography is the study of light.. not just snapping the shutter down.
I am what I call a crazy hobbyist. I have taken a hobby and gone crazy with it. But I love it. I love it so much I want others to love it to and teach classes so they can take better pictures.

You look at other professional full time photographers and their costs are way higher.
I only ask that you regardless if you love or hate someones work that you value the time and money they have spent on their path to learning the art of photography.

A Beautiful space

2012-01-17T20:08:00.000-08:00

Over the past two months I have been working on a new project... a new natural light studio space. I love it. It is simple and beautiful and perfect for bringing out the natural beauty of my clients!
I love things simple. I especially love simple portraits. Ones where the viewer is captivated by you not the chair you are sitting on. I want my subjects beauty to steal the show.
The details: My new space is located downtown Colby, KS at 140 E. 5th Street. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment or even just to come and talk about doing a session call me at 785.643.6585.

A Photographer's Value:
There are lots of cameras and lots of people who like photography. So why go to someone to have your picture taken. Well... first off a camera is just a machine... it needs a user who knows how to best use it. Secondly, a photographer who specializes in a certain genre of photography has studied angles, lighting, methods etc. to capture the best possible image. But the final reason for me is the biggest reason to hire someone... Connection. Today I took a self portrait as part of my Photo a day project and while doing it I remembered how tough it is to take your own picture. Sure I can set it all up and get a number in focus. But when you look at a camera without someone behind it it is like looking in the mirror. You don't give the same expressions as you to when you are looking at and interacting with someone. There is no Connection!!! I love to photograph women because I can connect with them. They can feel safe and secure that I am going to make them beautiful. They can drop their guard and let themselves shine through. There is someone cheering them on, giving direction, and making sure they look beautiful. There is a creative vision that I share with them. I know that that is unique. So there is a great value in having your picture taken by someone who loves what they do and connects you and their vision to create something beautiful.

Sexy Confidence

2012-01-11T19:44:00.000-08:00

A very good friend of mine came to see me this past week to surprise her husband. She is so wonderful and her husband is so lucky to have such a beautiful wife. I admire women who are confident. Confident enough to believe in themselves and their inner and outer beauty. Thank you thank you thank you for being such a wonderful and inspirational friend!

Hair and makeup: Image Makers, Colby KS

Sue Bryce and Creative Live

2012-01-09T11:54:00.000-08:00

I have spent many hours watching Creative Live. There is so much information given out by top notch photographers that it is crazy that it is free to watch. So it is not wonder that I am super excited to see Sue Bryce. She is amazing! I want to go see her LIVE! Here is my short "pick me" video.

Spirit

2011-12-31T21:38:00.001-08:00

Women are complex. They have so many layers and sides. All too often we chose to focus on the sides we like to hide instead of the ones we want to let shine... it takes spirit to take a risk and to shine!
This hot mamma had a smile that made me smile. It lit of up room. She came in timid and nervous and left feeling like she did something for herself that took a leap of faith....spirit.
I don't get tired of that. That sense that someone is coming to me to do something nice for someone else... and leave realizing that of all the people they know or would ever do this for... this was most important to them. They needed this.

Ho Ho Ho Christmas comes early...to someone

2011-12-12T05:51:00.000-08:00

maybe me.....
Check out the huge Giveaway at the Reverie Blog for Photographers: http://www.reveriemine.com!

Go and check it out! There are some amazing prizes!!!!

Fashion Glamour

2011-12-07T18:56:00.001-08:00

You can look uber sexy and beautiful in almost anything. Looking sexy is about feeling beautiful. We all have that pair of jeans or the sweater with the big neck that we just can't resist feeling confident when we are wearing it.

Fashion Glamour by kb0526 featuring Armani Exchange watches

White House Black market
$68 - whitehouseblackmarket.com

White House Black Market Ad Campaign Spring/Summer 2010 Shot #2
myfdb.com

White House Black Market Ad Campaign Fall/Winter 2010 Shot #5
myfdb.com

White House Black Market F/W 09 (White House Black Market)
models.com

White House Black Market Ad Campaign Spring/Summer 2010 Shot #3
myfdb.com

Black Boudior

2011-12-07T16:21:00.001-08:00

Black Boudior by kb0526 featuring retro bras

Mimi Holliday by damari
$144 - journelle.com

Ari Dein Truffles Boutique Hotel Camisole
$295 - journelle.com

Bordelle retro bra
$160 - journelle.com

Myla
$136 - journelle.com

Eberjey lace panty
$40 - journelle.com

Heat of Art Photography workshops winter series

2011-12-06T06:57:00.000-08:00

i love honest smiles, laughter that you can hear in your images, and emotions that are not posed but true. Being able to capture those special images takes time and pratice. Both of these workshops help you to learn about your camera so you can focus on capturing the love and joy in front of you.

So Santa brought you a new camera and you are really excited about getting those great shots but you have no idea where to start! The Heart of Art workshop is perfect. We learn basic photography concepts and get you to a place where you can start having fun with photography. This is a hands on class with a max of five people. You need to have a DSLR camera. This workshop will br broken into two classes, Sunday January 22nd and 29th from 1-3 pm. This class is $100.00

The Art of Art Advanced workshop: Understanding exposure: This is a one day workshop on Sunday, January 15 from 1-3 pm for a more advanced camera user. We will shoot both in manual mode teaching you how to quickly get proper exosoure. This is a hands on workhshop for five people. This class is $50.00

If you are interested please email me at kimbearphoto@gmail.com or send me a pm on facebook. You must register and pay by January 7th to reserve a spot.

Both workshops will take place in Colby, KS.

Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful

2011-12-04T17:53:00.000-08:00

I get asked often, "what should I wear?" or " I don't have anything sexy." I tell women being things you feel beautiful in. That doesn't mean it has to be "be sexy"... you just need to feel feminine and beautiful. It is amazing how beautiful a women looks in a simple white cami or a beautiful shirt.

Wear something for how it looks yes...but more importantly wear it for how you feel.

I am always looking for things that I find beautiful. I want to introduce you to Plum Pretty Sugar. Their robes and dresses are so pretty and delicate. You can just tell you would hate to take it off.

I am going to order some of their robes for my new studio space... and may be for me at home!

What every women wants....

2011-11-30T09:32:00.000-08:00

... is to feel beautiful about herself. To feel connected to that part of herself that maybe she had before children, before crazy schedules, before laundry and grocery shopping....

We all want to be desired. We want our husbands to pine for us and be excited about the women they married.

But so often we find reasons as to why we just can't get our act in gear to make that effort... it costs to much, who has time, I need to lose weight...yada yada yada!

Be Beautiful now...today... tomorrow... everyday. Take this time to give yourself (and your man) a gift of beauty. You are are beautiful. Beauty is a way of feeling and acting.

I love shooting women because I think they are forgotten about. We photograph our children, and our families, but when it comes to women they would rather hide in the background. Well... it is time to SHINE!!!

Shine brightly this holiday season... Happy Holidays!

Beautiful to the core

2011-11-27T19:31:00.001-08:00

Beauty... when you look into a woman's eyes and see what is in her heart.
-- Nate Dircks

It is so fun to work with people who are beautiful inside and out. Isn't this lady BEAUTIFUL! She was so fun to work with today. She came with lots of great things to wear and had the most beautiful smile. Thanks for a great afternoon!

Beautiful Mama

2011-11-10T15:50:00.000-08:00

I think pregnancy is one of the most beautiful times of a women's life. This mama was so beautiful I wish I had all day to photograph her. I enjoyed this session so much. It is such a honor to capture a women at this time and to focus on the fact that yes she is having a baby but more so that she is a women and beautiful. The glow of her skin and the radiance of her smile make these images some of my favorite!

Just because a girl should get dolled up

2011-11-06T18:21:00.000-08:00

There are times to just go for it! Get your hair done, get beautiful make up on, and wear something sexy! And that is what we did. Today was all about getting pampered and having fun.
She was a great sport letting me post the before image...but let's face it.. she is still beautiful without makeup and hair all dolled up!
A big thank you to Aaryss from Image Makers for doing hair and make up!

Simply Beautiful

2011-11-03T15:04:00.001-07:00

Simply beautiful and just because. Who says you have to have a "reason" to get your picture taken. Why not... just because. What not... because I want to... and why not... because I am beautiful. Thanks Jess for a fun afternoon.

Take time to be beautiful

2011-11-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you showered, used beautiful silky soap, painted your nails, gave yourself a full body scrub, did a mud mask, took your time putting on your make up.... when? I know that I typically am rushing and am lucky to get out the door with a little mascara on. But to really take time to feel and look beautiful. When was the last time... and when was the last time you did if for you? Because you are a women and because you deserve to feel desired and desireable.
When was the last time you were photographed... alone? Not with your husband, not with kids... just you looking and feeling beautiful? Many don't think about it. Many women actually avoid the whole idea of being in a picture.
I challenge you to accept that you deserve to be seen as more than a mom and wife...you are a women. You are beautiful.
It might seem selfish to get pictures of just you. You may ask yourself, "what would I do with pictures of me?" Just think about the treasure you are giving your family. Images of you looking stunning. I know my kids would love to look at those years from now maybe with their kids and smile.
Take time. I have photographed women who wanted pictures for their husband and thought this would be an excellent gift (by the way it is!). What husband wouldn't want a sexy album or stunning portriat of his bride? But in the end the women were surprised by how much they needed this.
Let me pamper you. We take care of it all...we do your hair, we do your make up, we help you pick out what you are going to wear, we set up the location.... all you need to do is take time.

Bea-YOU-tiful lady

2011-10-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe how beautiful my friends are... but this is really a real person... can you believe how pretty she is. She is a mother to three boys, lives in the county, can hunt a deer, skin a deer, can the deer, photographer herself doing it and then scrapbook it! She is amazing! And on top of all of the amazing things she does... she is beautiful on the inside and out!

Natural Beauty

2011-10-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

It is amazing to start a Cherry Bloom session and just watch it take shape. It always starts with lots of nerves and in the end we peel the nerves off and reveal the most amazing thing... how naturally beautiful you are. I love photographing women who want to look beautiful for their husbands, but what I find is in the end these images are more for them then they ever intended. Women feel so empowered and confident. They look at themselves almost as it it was the first time they have seen a mirror. They are in awe how wonderful they look but even more so they look upon themselves so proud that they didn't let fear stop them from seeing their natural beauty.

Going back in the past to go forward

2011-10-05T15:12:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about moving into a new chapter of photography. Documenting you and your emotions as a women is so exciting. Women have so many roles we rarely take the time to focus on us and the emotional relationships that matter most. This is from a session this summer. A beautiful women showing her confidence, her vulnerability, and her love and passion for her husband. The cherry blossom session is about being beautiful. Seeing yourself through the eyes of your loved ones.

I recently did a shoot and my client kept saying, "your camera is so good... it makes me so good..." etc. You get the idea... she didn't believe that my camera just took the image of what was in front of it. Now while I do think my camera is very sexy... it doesn't make a women beautiful. The client was beautiful, sexy, and confident... her pictures are wonderful and beautiful, but only because she made them that way.

A Brand New Direction

2011-09-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while it feels good to start fresh. Over the past couple of months I have been exploring some different ideas about the type of photography I want to create. While I am still exploring I know that I want to create an image that makes you the viewer do something. Maybe it is laugh, or sigh, or cry, or question why.... more importantly I want it to motivate you to want an more powerful and intimate experience with your pictures. We all like the images of the perfect couple sitting together looking happy and posed, but don't you want the image where a real moment is caught right before you kiss. I want that.... I want to capture that.
So here we are, moving ahead with more purpose and vision. If you are wanting to experience something different, do something that means something to you, I want to be the one to capture it for you.
I found that I really enjoy photographing the relationships women have. The way they are with their spouse, their kids, and even with themselves. While we will create beautiful portraits, our goal is to go deeper and more extraordinary.