KBP Team Takeover: Josh

Meet Josh

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Josh Moates was born and raised in Central Alabama. As the bass player in a band, he traveled throughout the country on tour. While away from home, he discovered his true love of the South, coming to appreciate its unique and eclectic character.   Josh met Kim at a trade show and the two became business partners soon after, taking Josh from bass player to photographer. Now working as a co-owner of a photography company + film lab in Montgomery, Alabama, Josh finds his muse in his love of all things Southern. He’s often inspired by the South’s people, its back road landscapes, its downtown skylines and its shadows of days gone by.

Josh is married to Aubrie and together the two have two boys, and one girl making her debut in November!

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-Where is home?

Where the heart is

-Married or kids?

 Both, Married with 2 kids and 1 on the way! 


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-Why/What got you started in photography?

My mom got me a 35mm camera in High School and it was so much fun! 

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-What is your biggest inspiration?

I am inspired by other photographers like Henry Cartier Bresson and Robert Frank.

-What are you other passions besides photography?

Writing Music

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-What are you other passions besides photography?

Writing Music

-What animal would you be and why?

Bird all the way, flying would be pretty alright.

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-What can we catch you doing in your spare time? Hobbies?

As of late, I like indoor plants. hahah Yup, that isn’t a joke.  Besides that, just hanging with the kids.


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-What is your favorite color?

red-orange

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-What is your favorite tv show?

Breaking bad or True Detective

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-What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Enjoy being in the moment. Focus on what is actually happening right now

-Cats or Dogs?

Cats

-If you weren't a photographer, what would you do? 

I would really love to write funny skits for commercials

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-What is your favorite word?

Baby shark do do do dodododoo

-Which store would you like to max out your Credit Card?

BH in NY




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-Did you have a childhood nickname?

nope

-Sweet or salty? 

Sweet….. chocolate anything

-Any strange phobias? 

 Knocking over a wedding cake and I keep having a dream that I am on stage playing guitar with a band and no knowing how to play the song. its terrifying 

-What is one thing you can’t live without?

I can name 3… Oxygen, Food and Water ( that is everyones I think)

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-Name a few of your favorite things?

Rhapis Palm trees, Documentaries, High end guitars

KBP Team Takeover: Kim

Meet Kim

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Fifteen years ago, Kim was a single mom, working as the membership director of the local chamber of commerce, and living paycheck to paycheck. She was a creative at heart, but couldn't figure out what to do with her creative itch.  One day, during a ribbon cutting at a local wedding shop, Kim had her light bulb moment, “Maybe I should be a wedding photographer.” 

On a “wing and a prayer” (as Kim puts it), she booked her first wedding for $150.00.  No prior experience, no prior knowledge.  Although she wouldn't suggest this route for others, it was the path catapulted her towards her success today.  Within a year, she met Josh Moates, co-owner and business partner with Kim Box Photography.   By the time she met Josh, the name had stuck so they stuck with it too. Together, they have built 3 photography divisions, a team of photographers, and employ almost 20 people.  

Kim is now married to Danny Brown, a retired firefighter and her best friend. From Kim: “I’m married to the sweetest fireman.  He spent 22 years taking care of strangers and now spends his days taking care of our little family.  Like most firemen, he has a servant heart and is an amazing cook…I think food is one of his love languages. I couldn't do what I do without him quietly working behind the scenes.  I get the credit, but we are a team!”

Together, Kim and Danny have 4 boys and 1 girl, who they love dearly. 

A sucker for the sentimental, Kim’s heart shines through every photo she takes as she looks for the raw moments that will last in your memory. She attributes her sentiment to her Daddy who carried that same spirit of kindness and love. 

Kim: “I hope that because of my Daddy, my legacy one day will be, that I helped create beautiful memories of a time that was precious and captured people that are loved and missed.”

What is your biggest inspiration?In life, Without a doubt, my daddy. He was special. Just ask anyone that knew him,. He passed away 13 years ago, and I can say there’s not a thing that I do, or decision that I make, that I don’t hear him whisper in …

What is your biggest inspiration?

In life, Without a doubt, my daddy. He was special. Just ask anyone that knew him,. He passed away 13 years ago, and I can say there’s not a thing that I do, or decision that I make, that I don’t hear him whisper in my ear.

Photography wise... I really love old black and white family photos. Still so beautiful and classic, even after a 100 years have passed. I think thats why I’m so in love black and white photography. I hope that my work and my clients portraits stand the test of time, and are passed down for generations. I really worry about social media/smart phone generation not having printed photographs to carry on after we are gone.

What are you other passions besides photography?Hmmm, I love interior design. Home is my favorite place to be. I love simple, clean lines and neutral colors. I think that comes across in my photography work as well.

What are you other passions besides photography?

Hmmm, I love interior design. Home is my favorite place to be. I love simple, clean lines and neutral colors. I think that comes across in my photography work as well.


What animal would you be and why?oh goodness...maybe a cat...Im pretty independent, and I need some alone time occasionally.

What animal would you be and why?

oh goodness...maybe a cat...Im pretty independent, and I need some alone time occasionally.

What can we catch you doing in your spare time? Hobbies?Again, Im a home body, I love to be at home with a meal cooking on the stove and a good movie. Lately I have been thinking that I need a hobby. I love camping, but dont make time to go enough.

What can we catch you doing in your spare time? Hobbies?

Again, Im a home body, I love to be at home with a meal cooking on the stove and a good movie. Lately I have been thinking that I need a hobby. I love camping, but dont make time to go enough.


What is your favorite color?Black of course :) Its my uniform, You can dress it up or dress it down, and hides a multitude of flaws.

What is your favorite color?

Black of course :) Its my uniform, You can dress it up or dress it down, and hides a multitude of flaws.

What is your favorite tv show?Currently This is Us,My guilty pleasure is Bravo, Its mindless TV and lets me turn my brain off.

What is your favorite tv show?

Currently This is Us,

My guilty pleasure is Bravo, Its mindless TV and lets me turn my brain off.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?Oh wow...probably parenting advice from my daddy. After raising two girls, his friends would ask him how to handle certain challenging parenting situations, and his answer was always..."Just love them." …

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Oh wow...probably parenting advice from my daddy. After raising two girls, his friends would ask him how to handle certain challenging parenting situations, and his answer was always..."Just love them." Now when there are days that make me want to pull my hair out, or my kids make a mistake... I hear that little voice in my head... "Just love them."


Cats or dogs?Well. Currently I have my daughters Golden retriever is living IN my house. I was totally opposed. And there is hair everywhere... but he is such a good dog, and so smart and love-able. He truly thinks he’s a little boy.

Cats or dogs?

Well. Currently I have my daughters Golden retriever is living IN my house. I was totally opposed. And there is hair everywhere... but he is such a good dog, and so smart and love-able. He truly thinks he’s a little boy.

If you weren't a photographer, what would you do?I think a home builder. My sweet grandmother probably built 30 houses in my life, and I grew up on a home site. I’ve always wanted to get my license, I’m really proud of the house my husband and I bui…

If you weren't a photographer, what would you do?

I think a home builder. My sweet grandmother probably built 30 houses in my life, and I grew up on a home site. I’ve always wanted to get my license, I’m really proud of the house my husband and I built a few years ago. I have champagne taste on a beer budget. I think with some creativity, sometimes you can build something better and more unique for less. I may do that one day. Any one want me to hire me?

What is your favorite word?Nostalgia:It's delicate but potent. In Greek, "nostalgia" literally means "the pain from an old wound." Its a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone -a feeling of a place where we ache to go again.

What is your favorite word?

Nostalgia:

It's delicate but potent. In Greek, "nostalgia" literally means "the pain from an old wound." Its a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone -a feeling of a place where we ache to go again.

Which store would you like to max out your Credit Card? I’m not really a shopper, but I love good linens, and furniture.

Which store would you like to max out your Credit Card?
I’m not really a shopper, but I love good linens, and furniture.


Did you have a childhood nickname?My daddy called me kimbo, my CB handle was "little bit"... any one even know what a CB is anymore?

Did you have a childhood nickname?

My daddy called me kimbo, my CB handle was "little bit"... any one even know what a CB is anymore?

Sweet or salty?DO I HAVE TO CHOOSE?

Sweet or salty?

DO I HAVE TO CHOOSE?

Any strange phobias?funny enough... I hate being in front of the camera, but i know how important it is, so Im working to get over that.

Any strange phobias?

funny enough... I hate being in front of the camera, but i know how important it is, so Im working to get over that.

Maggie + Neil

One of the best things about Kim Box Photography is that we aren't just a team, we are a family. 

We love each other and are crazy about each person's gifts! 

Today, we are featuring one of our amazing photographers, Megan. 

Her work is stunning and this couple is beautiful! 

Megan shared: "Maggie + Neil's big day was perfect! But seriously...
 From all the beautiful details to all the real emotions, it was an absolute dream to capture. These two have something very special, and it is my honor to give you all a tiny glimpse into their sweet love story. I hope these images pull on your heart strings like they do mine! To Maggie + Neil, thank you again so much for allowing me to be a part of such an exciting time in your lives. I wish you two all the happiness in the world! Cheers! -Megan"

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Location: Bellamy 30A

Photographer: Megan Florence

A summer with Common Ground Montgomery

“It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.”
— Paul Caponigro

Every Wednesday, three of our team mates, Josh Moates, Brooke Glassford, and Erika Tracy pack up their equipment and head over to Common Ground Montgomery to teach class. 

Common Ground Montgomery is an urban ministry that rests merely minutes from our studio.

Their mission is to transform the community by investing in urban youth from the Washington Park community of Montgomery, Alabama.

The kids of Washington Park participate in a summer camp program where they work on academics, biblical study, and hands on learning activities.  

Volunteers spend their summers working alongside the kids teaching elective courses, such as: Art, cooking, dance, gymnastics, and photography.

Josh, Brooke, and Erika have spent weeks teaching the kids about film and digital photography.

They taught them how to capture what they find beautiful. 

They taught them how to be free to be creative. 

The whole team took a day and went with Josh and Brooke to take portraits of the kids.

Josh's idea was to take portraits so that the kids could come to the studio to tour the film lab, learn how film is developed, and in the end, get two prints of their portraits. 

The kids loved it. 

A few kids planned to wear their favorite outfits to have their picture taken. 

Some students shyly giggled and bashfully tried to hide from the camera, while others acted like they modeled for a living.

We all got to watch Josh in action as he allowed these kiddos to be fully themselves and, in turn, captured the true nature of their personalities in every shot.

A few weeks later, the kids got to come on tour at our studio.

They walked through the film lab and proved to our staff that they have been paying close attention in every class! 

They were interested and excited, respectful and definitely brought a joyful noise into our often, somewhat quiet, office.  

I think what melted us all was their time viewing their portraits. 

They sat together while Brooke played some LaCrae music and the kids got to see their portraits one by one. 

They laughed and screamed, elbowing and nudging their friends that appeared on the big screen.

Their interns commented on every one of them with, "Look how beautiful!", "Oh that was the outfit you planned, it looks so great!" or our favorite "That is so YOU!"

The person behind the camera is merely a catcher of moments, memory, and the true makeup of the person in front of it.

The kids got the hard copies of their pictures.  

They stared at them with bashful smiles of excitement, making every moment of the class worth it just to see that response! 

I think our team at Kim Box Photography would all agree that the time spent teaching photography has been nothing short of an incredible blessing. 

Thank you Common Ground Montgomery for letting us be and continue to be a part of these incredible students lives. 

They've captured us.

Written by: Laura Jean Bell (Studio Manager)