Heya!

As most of you know, I’ve been working over-time on the nitty gritty details of my business. I’ve been commissioned for enough projects, photo sessions and events to keep me busy for a lifetime without ever really having to fuss with becoming “official”… but I’m throwing on the breaks because it’s time. It’s time for a website, business forms, licensing, taxes, a business plan- the works. So, these are some of the items that I’ve been focusing on for the last couple weeks. I’ve put everything aside and buckled down for the sake of my family, my business and myself. This is the hard part for me, so thanks very much to those of you who have been extremely patient (especially Kristina B, Stephanie F, and Monica B!).

Now that I’m surfacing for air- somewhat caught up, I’m rewinding back to a couple weeks ago when mrs Tawnya tagged me with: “list 8 random facts about myself”. Wait, before I do that- I urge everyone to go check out her blog and website for some serious eye candy and inspiration. Okay… hopefully everybody is off visiting her awesome stuff and will forget all about reading my list of randomness hah! While I'm at it, here's a little snippet "about me" from my work-in-progress website (alllmost finished!):

(click to enlarge)

I think the less thought I put into this list, the easier it will be. So here goes…

I’m supposed to post the rules first:

THE RULES:
1. Post these rules before you give you the facts.
2. List eight (8) random facts about yourself.
3. At the end of your post, choose (tag) someone and list their name (linking to their page.
4. Leave them a comment on their blog letting them know they’ve been tagged!

8 random facts about me:

1. I wear flip flops daily (okay, not to church, the gym or weddings… but pretty much everywhere else).

2. I drive a cute, “sporty”, red mini-van named Rocket. I swore I’d never own a mini-van, but what can I say—you really can’t beat the convenience, functionality and safety features of this thing. At least that's what I keep telling myself =).

3. Not only am I a mini-van mama—I actually enjoy listening to children’s music. Might as well go with it, ya know? Unfortunately my kids will one day outgrow it, but I can just see my old grey self keeping those mp3’s handy for when nobody is around. Hard rockin’ baby!

4. Crickets—eeew, they’re really really really really gross. Utterly repulsive. I dislike them more than all other insects combined. Well, except for maybe scorpions and wasps. I’ve *always* had a cricket phobia. [excerpt: The other night I enter our dimly lit kitchen to grab a drink… barefoot, of course… and somehow a large, plump, disgusting, doomed little cricket guy finds his way under my foot. CRUNCH. I will never be the same. I shudder at the slow motion memory, the sound, the gooooooo. I’m still in grossed-out shock.]

5. I don’t go anywhere without my handy dandy squirt bottle filled with ice cold water. It keeps the kids in line.

just kidding. It’s so stinkin’ hot here that I can’t survive without it. A nice refreshing mist of h20 on my face, the kid’s legs, or a scalding hot seatbelt seems to do the trick and makes this city sized furnace a little more bearable.

6. We don’t have cable- in fact we don’t watch programmed tv ever, ever. We purchase and download anything we feel like watching (including The Backyardigans, Dora, Lost, The Office, etc… so we’re not entirely out of the loop). I typically use our tv as a giant computer for watching image slideshows, listening to music, or looking stuff up on google.

7. I love condiments, often times more than the main dish itself

8. Friday night is “date night” at our house. I put the kids down for bed while my husband turns down the lights, puts on some soft music, starts grilling (usually something exquisitely yummy like steak or lemon pepper chicken), and hand mixes lime martinis that make my mouth water. And we just hang out. It’s my reprieve that I look forward to all week long.

Alrighty, easy enough! Thanks for the sweet words and for thinking of me, Tawnya! I’m on my way to tag my brilliant friend and Event Florist extraordinaire, Ivy Weesner (The Garage by Ivy). Have at it girl!

.........................................................

ETA: I just realized that I've also been tagged by Samuel Barr! Woohoo, I'm flattered! I've always been very impressed with his work and his open testimony. When you have the chance, check out his blog and his beautiful story-telling images, and you'll see what I'm talking about. Well, I guess the above list works for both topics... riiight? I hope so because I can't think of anything else at the moment, lol! THANKS Samuel! =)

...

label: wedding photographer | Phoenix, arizona
author: kimberly bee

Comments

[Susie]

I think I found you through Erin- you are just adorable and I love your images :)

[Tawnya]

Hey Miss B- since I am Mrs T. I wanted to say whew! I wondered what had happened to you. I am so excited that you are getting your business underway! I also know how crazy and time consuming it can "bee", so if I can offer any help to you, please don't hesitate to ask. I don't have cable either and have been dying to see HSM2- so do you have to have fancy equipment to download it (legally) and watch it?
I cannot wait to see your new site! I am sure it will be fabulous! I love your little thing posted above- I need something creative like that. Sigh!
I am going to email you soon about a possible second shooter job!

[Julie]

Congratulations on all your success! You totally deserve it.

[angie sloan]

yeah! this was really cool! the office and lost rule! do you have apple tv? it's so awesome!

[melissa]

Oh I am so excited to see your site! Hurry! Hurry!

[Wynona]

Love the little photo collage of you. And I can't tell you how jealous I am of your date night. My hub works nights and it's been so long since we've had an evening to even sit down and eat together.

[Samuel Barr]

You are TOO kind my friend, thank you for the kinds words. And, THANK YOU for sharing a little more about yourself. It was great reading, and you are a great writer! We'll have to do a book together, a conversation between artists about life, art and work. Thanks again for the kind words, you're one of my mentors you know. Be blessed and keep shooting!

[Denise]

I know what you mean about having to "buckle down" I'm in that stage as well. I LOVE what you are doing for your about me section. So creative. Your work is amazing as always.

[Amy Schuff]

How fun reading about you! I hear ya on the crickets...eww! Very cool "about me" collage too.

[Anne]

Congratulations on the new site and on going full force ahead with your business!! I'm so excited to see what lays ahead of you - keep in touch!!

[Sarah Q]

How the heck am I supposed to comment on your blog when EVERY image is SPECTACULAR?!?!! It would take me all day to tell you how amazing your work is! You're a HUGE source of inspiration for me. Congrats on the new site and good luck jumping into weddings!

XOXOXOXO, Sarah / Roxy and Kai Photography

[Melisssa Koehler]

Hi Kimberly-

I just found your blog through Tawyna's blog.
Your work is amazing! What camera, lenses and pp do you use? It's all stunning!

[Kimberly Bee]

Susie- thank you ((blushing))!

Miss's T: You're amazingly sweet, and generous, and kind, and wonderful. I sure do like that about you :).

Julie- Thanks girl!!!

Angie - yeeaahh see, I'm somewhat cool (despite the mini van, haha)! But, not quite cool enough for apple tv though-- we have an htpc (home theatre). I'm so happy to meet another local!!

Melissa- I've been wondering how you've been! Okay, the website is my next post :). How 'bout that playdate, eh??

Thank you Mr. Samuel!!!

Anne, Sara and Wynnona- my goodness, I'm a little starstruck speachless (fanning myself here... teehee!). Seriously, you girls are a huge inspiration to me :).

Melissa - Thank you! I have a Canon 20d, a Tamron 28-75, and I custom process everything in photoshop. If you want to send me an email at info@kimberlybee.com, I'll be happy to share my typical pp steps.

And one last... :)

[Jackie Wilson]

I have loved looking over every page of your blog. It's fun feeling like I'm getting to know you. Now, to your pictures...OMG, incredible. I wish you were at my wedding! Here is the link to the site I was telling you about: http://www.cherishedimages.net/homepage1.htm
We are still under families and groups & more.
They're great but she's got nothing on you. I can't wait to see what you will do with us! You have a bright future in this and I'll get to say I knew you back when...