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Karen Bishop
The Moxie Design
Interview Questions!!
Where do they live?
“Moline”
What is their educational background?
“I went to Illinois State and graduated with a triple major in Marketing, Commercial Recreation and Program Management. As far as my photographic educational background, I’m all self taught from a digital and editing standpoint. I took photography classes in both high school and college, but again, we were working with film, which is a totally different type of art.”
How much planning is involved in the quest for the “perfect shot?”
“There is a TON of preplanning on the front end that helps to execute a successful shoot. Getting to know my seniors before I shoot with them is extremely important to me because it makes them relax in front of the camera, which allows me to capture their personality instead of someone who freezes when the lens is pointing at them.”
How did they get started?
“I started having an interest in photography when I was old enough to hold a camera. Back then, it was a film camera, but the love for snapping pictures has been there as long as I can remember. I studied photography in college but majored in other fields and after graduation, spent a decade in management positions at the iwireless center and Stoney Creek Inn. It wasn’t until after the birth of my son that I decided to try to start my photography business.”
When you are out shooting a subject, how many shots do you take of one subject?
“It all depends on the length of the session. Longer sessions result in more locations and wardrobe changes, so naturally, they result in more snaps on the camera. For a two hour session, I average 200-250 snaps, of which I will typically end up editing 50-60 for viewing.”
How much time do you spend with your camera each day?
“It all depends - Now that I know my camera inside and out, I don’t shoot for practice much any longer. Days of shoots I’m using my camera actively anywhere between 2 and 10 hours.”
What type of camera/ equipment do you use?
“I am a Canon girl. I have two Canon 5D mark iiis, sigma art lenses (50mm, 85mm); a canon 24-70 zoom lens and a canon 70-200 lens with image stabilization). I use a ton of lighting equipment as well, both on and off camera flash. Lighting is the key to a good photo.”
Do you use any programs, such as Lightroom, Photoshop to alter your imagery? Any other software or programs used?
“I use lightroom to cull my images and do basic editing and then photoshop if needed to help clean up stray hairs, acne, etc. I don’t use any other software.”
Why did you decide to do Senior pictures?
“When I decided to get into photography, I distinctly remember my husband saying that I had to pick a niche because “If you’re not focusing on one thing, then you won't be the best at anything.” I didn’t take it too seriously and was doing mainly family sessions. When I did my first senior session, I fell in love. I wanted to focus on seniors exclusively but was afraid to take the jump. When I got a call from Paula Sands, asking me to come onto her show because she liked my “Fresh outlook on senior photography” I took the leap and never looked back.”
Why did you choose photography as a career?
“Photography kind of chose me as a career – I mean, it's one thing that I’m most passionate about and it’s my favorite hobby, so I’m very lucky that things have taken off for me in the way that they have. It all started with one person asking me to take engagement photos for them and everything blew up by word of mouth. We started getting featured nationally and winning awards, which drove people to check out my website and work portfolio. I haven’t ever done any paid marketing, everything has been word of mouth, which is amazing, as we book up every year with a waiting list. I’m a very lucky girl.”
Examples of their work!!
My Five Take offs!!
