Kimberly Reed Photography

WPJA contest win

April 9, 2009

One of my images placed in the most recent WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association) contest. I got 16th place in the humor category for this image of Kate after she and her brother took a shot of whiskey at her wedding. I love this photo. :)

I normally wouldn't be super excited about 16th place (because it's 16th place), but this was an international competition so there are literally photographers from all over the world submitting their images. So 16th is better than nothing, especially in such a talented pool of photographers.

Say I Do

April 2, 2009

The lovely and talented Simone at 5 Senses Events has put together a bridal cocktail party that is shaping up to be quite the must-attend event for brides-to-be. I've attached the invite below, and I have to point out that space is limited and you must rsvp and purchase your ticket in advance here.

published in Brides magazine!

March 5, 2009

I'm delighted to share that Mary and David's wedding was featured in the Spring/ Summer issues of both Brides Philadelphia and Brides South Jersey! This was my first time having a full wedding published so I was super excited when I found out theirs was selected. Yay!

Mary also co-owns Ice Cream Social, so if you are looking for some delicious custom designed invitations, save-the-dates, custom wedding logos, or anything else wedding related, check out their etsy shop and blog.

Alexis and David

February 25, 2009

Alexis and Dave tied the knot on Saturday in a Victorian-themed wedding. Here are some of my faves from their day:

This first shot of Dave and the guys was taken by my second shooter, Joey.

I love this image of Alexis and her dad waiting to walk down the aisle. Alexis is enveloped in the light coming through the open doors behind her, which I think gives her an ethereal look.

The church they married in was beautiful

I love the joy on Alexis' face as she walks back into the church after the ceremony

A few portraits of the new Mr. and Mrs. (I think this first one is my fave):

The lovely bride. Alexis designed her gown herself and had it hand made for her. In keeping with the Victorian theme of the wedding, I wanted her portraits to have a vintage feel to them:

This next image of Dave and Alexis was taken by Joey:

A few details

first dance

This just makes me smile. :)

Music is an important part of Alexis and Dave's lives (and they have several talented friends who are musicians), so after the band, some of their friends performed for them. This is Cathasaigh:

Tyler Stacy of the Tyler Stacy Band

Ceremony: Risen Lord
Reception: Concordia Club
Hair: MCN Salon
Wedding Coordinator: Penny Lambrite, Luminescent Events (This is Alexis' event planning company)
Bakery: Vanilla Pastry Studio
Band: The Rhythm Shakers
Transportation: Regency Global Transportation Group

Sharon and Jason- engagement session

February 20, 2009

Some of the things I love about Sharon and Jason:

• they have a great connection and chemistry together
• we have similar taste in music :)
• they are both talented musicians- Sharon sings and plays the guitar, and Jason plays the guitar, drums, keyboard...
• they recently moved back to Pittsburgh and purchased their first home together, which is really fabulous

So when we were discussing where to do their engagement session, Sharon suggested taking the photos at their new home, which I loved. Here are some of my faves from their session:

I think this one is my favorite from the day. I totally adore this shot:

my other favorite

These last two are also faves. (I know, I know...I just couldn't decide!)

Phnom Penh, Cambodia; day 11, Tuol Sleng

January 31, 2009

I began the day with a trip to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21). The museum was about a 15 minute walk from my hotel, so I kept my camera out and made some images along the way:

I cannot stress how common it is to see very small children riding on the front of motos like this. Sometimes they were wedged in between adults in the middle of the bike, but often they were up front like this little girl.

Street vendor selling corn on the cob. Many mobile food vendors use squeakers (that sound like dog toys or the old fashioned bicycle horns) to let people know they are coming (similar to an ice cream truck, but louder and more annoying). Between that, the honking horns of motos and cars, and general sounds of people living and hawking their wares, there is always a moderate to high level of ambient noise on the streets.

I'll be honest- I initially wasn't going to go to S-21. I thought my trip to the Killing Fields had given me a good general overview of the devastating effects of Pol Pot's regime. However, almost everyone I met that learned it was my first time in Cambodia asked me I had been to S-21 yet. I thought that might be an indication I was missing out on something I should experience.

They were right. I didn't like what I saw, but I'm glad I went.

The prison was captured in 1979 by the Vietnamese Army. While the troops were closing in on the city, 14 prisoners were being tortured to death inside S-21. These scenes were photographed as evidence against the Khmer Rouge, and those photographs now appear in the cells where the victims were found, along with many of the original instruments of torture.

Those dark spots on the floor are bloodstains.

Meticulous records were kept on everyone that came through S-21. Prisoners were photographed upon arrival and often after being tortured. While many of those records have been lost or destroyed, there is a good deal that has been preserved and is on display at the museum. One of the most emotional for me was wall after wall of portraits of people who were held here. Some estimates say around 30,000 prisoners passed through S-21 in the 4 years it was operational as a torture and detention center. Of those, only 7 are known to have lived.

This poem describes life under Pol Pot's new regime. (Poem by Sarith Pou in Corpse Watching)

The text reads:

No religious rituals.
No religious symbols.
No fortune teller.
No traditional healers.
No paying respect to elders.
No social status. No titles.

No education. No training.
No school. No learning.
No books. No library.
No science. No technology.
No pens. No paper.

No currency. No bartering.
No buying. No selling.
No begging. No giving.
No purses. No wallets.

No human rights. No liberty.
No courts. No judges.
No laws. No attorneys.

No communications.
No public transportations.
No private transportations.
No traveling. No mailing.
No inviting. No visiting.
No faxes. No telephones.

No social gatherings.
No chitchatting.
No jokes. No laughter.
No music. No dancing.

No romance. No flirting.
No fornication. No dating.
No wet dreaming.
No masturbating.
No naked sleepers.
No bathers.
No nakedness in showers.
No love songs. No love letters.
No affection.

No marrying. No divorcing.
No marital conflicts. No fighting.
No profanity. No cursing.

No shoes. No sandals.
No toothbrushes. No razors.
No combs. No mirrors.
No lotion. No make up.
No long hair. No braids.
No jewelry.
No soap. No detergent. No shampoo.
No knitting. No embroidering.
No colored clothes, except black.
No styles, except pajamas.
No wine. No palm sap hooch.
No lighters. No cigarettes.
No morning coffee. No afternoon tea.
No snacks. No desserts.
No breakfast [sometimes no dinner].

No mercy. No forgiveness.
No regret. No remorse.
No second chances. No excuses.
No complaints. No grievances.
No help. No favors.
No eyeglasses. No dental treatment.
No vaccines. No medicines.
No hospitals. No doctors.
No disabilities. No social diseases.
No tuberculosis. No leprosy.

No kites. No marbles. No rubber bands.
No cookies. No popsicle. No candy.
No playing. No toys.
No lullabies.
No rest. No vacations.
No holidays. No weekends.
No games. No sports.
No staying up late.
No newspapers.

No radio. No TV.
No drawing. No painting.
No pets. No pictures.
No electricity. No lamp oil.
No clocks. No watches.

No hope. No life.
A third of the people didn't survive.
The regime died.

The perfect Valentine's gift...

January 21, 2009

I'm going to interrupt my Cambodia posts for a quick announcement. Valentine's Day is just a few weeks away, so if any ladies out there want to do something really fabulous for their guys (or themselves!), reserve your *Femme Couture session by February 6. What better gift than presenting him with some jaw-dropping, sexy, glamourous photos of you?
(* These types of sessions often go by so many different names: boudior photography, pin up photography, glamour photography, fitness photography, romantic portraits, sexy portraits, lingerie photography, intimate photography...the list goes on and on. My take on it is making some sensual, beautiful, provocative images of woman, usually in lingerie, and sometimes tastefully and artistically done nudes.)

I have a few session dates still available that will get your images back before February 14. Also, I have gift certificates available, so if any guys want to drop a hint to their ladies, send me an email.

I recently updated the galleries on my Femme Couture website, so if you haven't visited recently, pop on over to see some newer work. I have to give this disclaimer: there is some (tasteful) nudity on there, so if you're offended by that kind of stuff, don't look. :)

Also, I'm posting a few of my favorite images from last year's sessions below, which show a little (PG-13) skin. So turn back now if you don't want to see it.

Last chance....

Phnom Penh, Cambodia- day 9 and 10

January 2, 2009

I flew back into Phnom Penh late Sunday night after spending the day at the temples. After breakfast on Monday I went to a spa down the street for another 1 hour foot massage, and, being adventurous, figured I'd give a Thai massage a go. I have to say it wasn't very enjoyable at all. About halfway through, my masseuse was standing on my bum, and then walked up my back. She wasn't a tiny girl, but before I could figure out how to say "Pardon me ma'am, but that really hurts...please stop" in Khmer, she stepped of and continued contorting me around for another half an hour or so. On the upside, the foot massage was good, and when it was all said and done, my total was $16 for two hours of massage. I could get used to that.

I spent most of the rest of Monday editing images, and met up with Tim, Fritz, Seth, Laine from SISHA, and Athena, Alison, and Liz from Transitions for dinner. Several hours and a few bottles of wine later, we called it a night. Good times.

Tuesday morning I was in the shower when a gecko ran out from behind the shower head and scared the crap out of me. Not that a gecko is all that scary on it's own, but it was rather startling darting around my shower, when I was sleepy and not expecting company. At least, I think it was a gecko. It could have been a guy in a green T-shirt.

Met up with Tim and he and I were off to the Ministry of Justice for Tim's scheduled interview with Ith Rady, Under Secretary of State for Ministry of Justice and Deputy Chair of the Cambodian COMMIT (Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative Against Trafficking in the Greater Mekong Sub-region) Taskforce. I assisted with audio during the interview and acted as a lightstand afterwards as Tim took a few portraits. Afterwards our translator explained that proper protocol would have dictated that someone from the National Task Force (who had set up the interview) should have accompanied us to make an official introduction, and the first order of business would have been an exchange of business cards. Also, the proper channel to request the interview should have been a formal letter, on letterhead, explaining the purpose of the interview and the intended output, as well as an outline of the questions to be asked. So we went in with a few strikes against us. Fortunately, our translator was pretty fantastic, and Tim can be charming when he needs to be, so all ended pretty well.

Below: Tim sets up his video camera and gets ready to put the mic on Ith Rady. From left to right, Ith Rady, Tim Matsui, the translator.

Following the interview we went over to Transitions so I could get a tour of the transitional living center. The image below, depicting receiving a beating from a pimp, was taken in the counseling room, where the girls receive intensive trauma therapy, including art therapy.

When I was leaving, one of the girls hugged me and slid a friendship bracelet she made for me on my wrist. (Ladies who grew up in the 80's: Do you remember making friendship bracelets?)

Then Tim and I were off to Sophea's house to interview her. That deserves it's own post, which will be forthcoming.

Siem Reap, Cambodia- day 8

December 30, 2008

I spent my second day in Siem Reap temple-ing; exploring the temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom, and Preah Khan. There are many, many more temples in the area (you can easily dedicate a week to exploring the temples around Siem Reap), but since I only had one day, I focused on visiting the larger and more popular ones. All in all, it was pretty spectacular- but don't take my word for it...you should go see for yourself. Here are some of the things I saw throughout the day:

This fine gentleman, upon learning I was travelling alone, offered to give me a private tour, including a stop back at his house. Which makes me wonder if word has gotten around that I wink at monks.

(I politely declined.)

Can I tell you how delighted I was to catch a photo of a monk smoking a cigarette? This made my entire day:

Siem Reap, Cambodia- day 7 continued

December 26, 2008

I met up with Seth (who had also come up to Siem Reap for the weekend) at Phnom Bakheng to watch the sunset. We originally planned on riding an elephant up the hill to the temples, but they had stopped selling tickets by the time we go there, so we hiked to the top instead. *These images are all brought to you by my point and shoot.

The steps leading up to this temple were ridiculously narrow and steep. Think of a cross between walking up steps, and climbing a ladder.

The sunset was breathtaking

Lest you think it was a serene, peaceful moment- this was the scene right behind me...thousands of people vying to get a good spot to watch the sun go down. Still, it was an unforgettable experience.

A self portrait before we made the trek back down.

It was a full, busy day, and this night was the first in many that I slept soundly. I think I was asleep by 9pm.