Meet Ethan.
This Davenport Central senior and I met up early last fall for his senior session.  I was so stoked for his shoot because I had worked with his sister a few years back and his family is so. much. fun.  Also, when we did Ethan’s wardrobe consult, I knew we would score some awesome shots because his fashion sense is absolutely amazing. When we planned his route,  I knew that I wanted to shoot outside of a building in Moline that coordinated with a jacket of his and everything else kind of fell into place.  We shot at some urban locations and some areas that were more modern getting a variety of looks for his photos.  We were literally laughing from the first five minutes until the very last shot.  Thanks for being so awesome, Ethan!

Here is a little about what he had to say about his session with Moxie:
“I wasn’t quite sure what style I wanted to go for so I just picked some favorite outfits and ran with it. I was so nervous, but Karen was so funny and nice that it made it comfortable for me to let loose and have fun.  I was scared that I would be too shy to get any good shots because I had never had professional pictures taken, but Karen was so cool that it all just felt natural.  I loved that I was able to show my true style-  I got to show a range of my fashion sense and Karen was able to capture my vibe perfectly.  As far as locations go, this was all Karen… I sent her my outfit ideas and just a handful of poses I liked; otherwise I left it to her to pick locations. I figured she was the expert so I let her do her thing and I think it was the best thing we could have done because it turned out amazing.  I liked that Karen let me take some pictures with my sister… we were able to recreate an identical photo Karen took of the two of us at her senior picture shoot 3 years ago.  Karen is super friendly and made me feel totally comfortable. She has excellent skills and my pictures turned out amazing. I love Moxie Design because the experience really made me come out of my shell for a night and get some awesome shots.”

One piece of advice that Ethan has for other seniors getting their photos taken?
“Trust Karen, don’t be afraid to experiment. Let her take the lead and you will not be disappointed. She takes the time to get to know you and your vibe and the end result is perfect.”

If he could describe his overall senior session experience in one word, he would choose  “inspiring.”

Thank you for letting us be a part of your senior year, Ethan!!

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Something that I absolutely love is working on an editorial session that pushes the envelope of a standard senior session, so when Ky and Ali expressed interest in doing a laundromat session, I was in.  When planning the shoot, I thought it would be cool if we incorporated some soda and color coordinated straws into the shoot just to take it to another level.  In my opinion, as a general rule, the more accessories or styling that you do with a shoot, the more interesting the photos turn out.  What ended up happening is that we used Sprecher’s soda as our main prop and the company saw our images on social media and then actually used a photo from our shoot – talk about exciting!!

We met up last year at a laundromat over in Davenport and had a really fun afternoon.  My son, Jackson, has said he wants to be a photographer when he grows up since he was four years old, and has asked countless times to come on a photoshoot with me.  Because he knows both Ky and Ali, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity for him to join in the fun, so we made it a family outing.  Luckily, Matt came along so he ended up being my main assistant as Jackson’s seven year old attention span definitely didn’t last much past ten minutes, but both Abby and Jax got to see a glimpse into what it is like to do a photo shoot and talk about it to this day (some behind the scenes photos are below)

***Behind the scenes with my family helpers***

Shout out to Ky and Ali, members of our model team, for going along with our shenanigans and having fun with this. Miss you both!

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Grace.
I was eagerly anticipating Grace’s session as I have worked with her awesome family for years.  What I wasn’t expecting was for Grace to get out of the car and look like she stepped off the pages of Italian Vogue.  She had some seriously awesome outfits and I still remember how much I was in love with her eyelashes!  Grace literally showed up to the shoot and blew me away.  Any suggestion that I had or crazy idea that I threw out there, she was like “Okay, let’s give it a try!”  Within the first five minutes, she was jumping and giving me some seriously fierce model looks (one of which ended up scoring a national feature by a high school senior publication).  On top of that, Grace was so much fun to work with – we had a lot of laughs and were blessed with a gorgeous sunset at the very end of her session.

Here is a little about what Grace had to say about her session with Moxie:
“It was amazing, I felt like a movie star. Karen was so professional and made me feel so comfortable.  I was going for a downtown/urban shoot but wanted to incorporate some nature also.  We shot at some locations that Karen suggested downtown and also at a garden – they were perfect and made my pictures and the day very memorable.  My favorite part of my shoot was how many pictures that Karen took.  Karen is fantastic!”

Thank you for letting us be a part of your senior year, Grace!!

xoxo,

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Haley.
This beauty has been a part of the Class of 2021 Moxie model team and I have loved getting to know her over the past year.  Our first model shoot was at the Hyatt hotel last February and I remember a very specific moment when Haley was sitting up on the bar and we were setting lighting and I looked up and knew that this girl was meant to be in front of a camera.  When we met up for her session, I was so excited that she brought her two sweet pups to the park – they were adorable!  From there we went to downtown Davenport and Haley blew me away with her natural modeling ability.  We lucked into the fact that one street we were shooting on was closed off because of construction, so we were able to get some poses that we never would even attempt  because we had security in the form of barricades.  When we finished up downtown, we were able to capture her mad figure skating skills.  I remember at one point I wanted to get a certain shot and was laying on the ice.  I told Sam that the next time we do an ice rink shoot, I should wear a full snowsuit (that ice went right through my leggings) so Sam got a huge piece of cardboard for me to lay on so it wouldn’t be so brutal – it still makes me laugh to remember that moment.  Without question, Haley is absolutely breathtaking and she brings an energy with her that is contagious and amazing to capture on camera.

Here is a little about what Haley had to say about her session with Moxie:
“My senior session was amazing. Karen and Sam are both really easy to work with, and they made me feel very comfortable the entire time. I was able to be myself and get all of the pictures I wanted to. We also had a lot of fun and laughed the whole time.  I was scared that I wouldn’t like my facial expressions, but all of the pics turned out great.  I loved how personal it was and I also love how I was able to get such a variety of pictures.  The most memorable moment of my session was wearing my prom dress in a park. There were definitely some odd looks from the other people there.  I recommend Moxie Design to anyone for senior pictures. They create such a personal experience, and always make sure you are satisfied with the result. I love Moxie Design because they were able to make my senior pictures everything I ever dreamed of.”

One piece of advice that Haley has for other seniors getting their photos taken?
“Don’t be afraid to be yourself. The pics turn out way better when you look like yourself and aren’t trying to force poses/facial expressions.”

If she could describe her overall senior session experience in one word, she would choose  “magical.”

Thank you for being a part of our model team,  Haley!!

xoxo,

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Becca.
This Geneseo High School senior and future Bradley University student and I met up over the summer for her senior session.  When I read through Becca’s pre-session information sheet, I was so excited that she wanted to do some dance photos.  When we were choosing locations, I really wanted to get a few silhouette images, but I had no idea that Becca was a jumping all star and that her photos would turn out to be such magic.  We were blessed with a sunset that went from purple to orange and the colors absolutely popped!  Not being an athlete, I was in awe of Becca’s talents and her ability to nail her poses within the first couple of takes.   I will never forget when we were at a stream at the beginning of her session and she asked if she could do a jump in the water… UM, YES!  I knew from that moment that we were going to capture some serious amazingness.  We also experimented with some glitter and those photos turned out super awesome!  You are a rockstar, Becca!!

Here is a little about what Becca had to say about her session with Moxie:
“I really enjoyed my shoot. Karen made me feel super comfortable in front of the camera, and I had so much fun.  I was worried that my dance photos were not going to turn out as well as I hoped they would. However, Karen absolutely blew me away with how awesome my action shots turned out.  I enjoyed Karen’s flexibility. We had so much fun trying out our different ideas. She was open to everything I suggested.  I used a flowery setting for my “normal” poses and then used a few colored walls and the WIU campus for my dance poses. The contrast in locations really make each photo unique, and I really liked that.  I had a specific jump I wanted Karen to shoot. After she took the photo, she showed it to me to make sure that the jump was perfect. I was so happy that she was able to capture all that dance means to me in a single photo.  Moxie is one of the best experiences any high schooler could have. Karen makes your session feel absolutely wonderful. I have memories that I can keep forever. I love Moxie Design because it is an experience I will never forget.”

One piece of advice that Becca has for other seniors getting their photos taken?  “Try anything in your shoot. I got wet in my shoot and tried all kinds of things, and that truly made my photos even more exciting. Keeping an open mind and taking risks will help Karen to truly capture who you are.”

If she could describe her overall senior session experience in one word, she would choose  “wonderful.”

Thank you for letting us be a part of your senior year, Becca!!

xoxo,

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Andrew.
This Geneseo senior and I met up late last summer for his photo shoot.
We knew we were going to be shooting around Geneseo, but I had no idea that we would find such awesome spots for his session.  Andrew was so fun to work with and was up for any crazy idea that I had, especially when it came to his football pictures.  My favorite part of the session was when we were shooting Andrew with his truck at sunset.  When he sat in the drivers seat of his truck, he immediately relaxed and truly  became himself and we were able to capture some pretty awesome sunset images.  I remember after I posted his first social media preview photo that someone had commented that Andrew looked like he came off of the side of an Abercrombie and Fitch shopping bag, and I think that may be one of the coolest comments that we have received in our 8 years of shooting.

Here is a little about what Andrew had to say about his session with Moxie:
“My session with Moxie Design was smooth, fun and memorable.  The whole experience was great! We used Richmond Hill, Downtown Geneseo and the Geneseo High School Football field.  I was afraid that the weather would be bad but it turned out to be a beautiful day.  What I won’t forget about my senior session was enjoying making the memories, smiles and quality time together. Karen loves what she does and it really shows – she does great work!”

One piece of advice that Andrew has for other seniors getting their photos taken?
“Enjoy every moment and remember this is all for you.”  <– Amazing advice, Andrew!

If he could describe his overall senior session experience in one word, he would choose  “amazing.”

Thank you for letting us be a part of your senior year, Andrew!!

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Eleni.  This gorgeous Geneseo senior and future Iowa State University student and I met up on one of the windiest days last fall.  Winds were constant at 20 mph gusts blew up to 45 mph that afternoon and even though we considered rescheduling, we came to the conclusion that we would give it a try with the help of mom being on hair duty and constantly having a brush and hairspray handy.  We also met up in a foresty location to start her session so that we would have some natural protection from the wind.  What ended up happening was absolutely amazing. Yes, the winds were still coming in full force, but they actually worked in Eleni’s favor 99% of the time, giving her hair movement and leaving her looking like a supermodel.  Something that I have to mention in this blog post is how in absolute awe I was when Eleni and her amazing mom Katie pulled up for her session.  If you are familiar with the Four Seasons boutiques, you know how awesome they are.  Well, they were started by Eleni’s grandparents and are still a family business.  Eleni was able to use a literal dressing room on wheels for her shoot – her looks were perfectly pressed and hanging in the back of the van, which was where she was able to change her clothes each time and regroup a bit to get out of the wind. Huge thanks to Katie for making that happen!

Here is a little about what Eleni had to say about her session with Moxie:
“My senior session was perfect! Karen made me feel super comfortable. She was encouraging and helped me feel confident in my pictures.   I wanted 2 different looks – sophisticated and woodland. I was amazed that Karen was able to identify 2 different locations in such close proximity allowing us to take as many pics as possible.  At first I was hesitant to not wear my glasses during my photo shoot. But, Karen encouraged me and actually my favorite pics are without my glasses! Karen is an expert and I am so happy with all of my pictures.  My favorite part was emulating my brother’s senior pics. Karen was able to create a companion look in my own style.  The forecast was for very windy conditions, I was really worried because I did not want my hair to look all wind blown & crazy. But, Karen knew where to go and we were able to get all of the pics we wanted even with the crazy wind!  I would encourage my friends to use Moxie because it was fun and all the pictures are amazing! It was hard to pick my favorites!  I love Moxie Design because my pictures are outstanding.”

One piece of advice that she has for other seniors getting their photos taken?  “Trust Karen! She is an expert & super sweet!”

If she could describe her overall senior session experience in one word, she would choose  “amazing.”

Thank you for letting us be a part of your senior year, Eleni!!

xoxo,

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

One of my favorite shoots every year is ALWAYS the Thrift Store Challenge. I have been a lover of all things thrifting since I was a little girl. I remember going to garage sales with my mom, my Grandma and my Aunt Thelma in search of that perfect treasure.  A few years ago, I merged my love of thrift stores with an annual shoot with our current model team and the Thrift Store Challenge was born.  It shakes down like this – all of our models are eligible to compete.  They can spend up to $20 on their look (not including shoes) but every piece of clothing has to come from a thrift store.  This past year, we had eleven of our fifteen models choose to participate, which was by far, our largest turnout yet.  It’s always hard to scout the perfect location because you need to have a space that offers a ton of different background options, because even when doing mini shoots, I hate when you can tell that all of the photos were taken at the same place.  Then, we shoot each model for 10-15 minutes in back to back sessions and post our favorite three photos on social media.  For the next couple of days, the votes pour in and we tally them up at the end of the contest and the model with the most votes becomes the Moxie cover model for the upcoming year.  This year, there were nearly 6,000 votes cast and Ms. Bella won the Thrift Store Challenge.  I had to share her cover below- it’s so gorgeous!  Morgan came in at a very close second, so she became the Class of 2022 pricing guide cover model (which is also featured below).

I love how each year there are a certain number of models who choose to upcycle their thrift store finds (check out the cow pattern painted pockets on Emma’s jeans, Haley’s entire look was made from a dress if I remember correctly and the lace that Morgan added to her pants to pull her entire look together blew me away).  I love how some of our models choose to go with a super editorial vibe – Reese scored big with using a longboard as a prop, Bella rocked the heck out of her 70’s inspired outfit, Nick came in third place with his epically cool suit/boardshorts look and Faith looked amazing in her head to toe white outfit with amazing accessories.  Did you notice the fashion value in Madeline’s skirt and shoe selection? I am still dying over those shoes, girl!   Then there are the models who score the most gorgeous pieces that they look like they stepped out of the front of a Department store display. I LOVED Esther’s yellow dress, Maelyn’s adorable dress and T combo and Tiara paired a super cute vintage feel dress with a timeless denim jacket.

The thrift store challenge is done after all of our model’s senior sessions, so that definitely allows each of our seniors taking part in it to feel super comfortable with Sam and I, giving them a little more freedom in their poses and expressions. I LOVE working for a full year with our model teams and the Thrift Store Challenge is just the cherry on top of an already awesome sundae.  Thanks to everyone who participated this year!  Missing you all!!

xoxo,

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Trey.
This Bettendorf senior and future BioMedical Engineering major and I met up over the summer for his senior pictures. Trey has some major swag and is super handsome, so his session was not only super fun, but his photos look like they came from the pages of a magazine.  Trey knew that he wanted to incorporate longboarding and sand volleyball into his pictures, which gave us some opportunities to push the editorial envelope a bit.  I remember it was really hot and humid on the day of Trey’s session and when we got to the volleyball portion of his shoot I kept asking him to do the same thing again and again as we experimented with lighting and he didn’t complain once, even if it was 100+ degrees real feel.

Here is a little about what Trey had to say about his session with Moxie:

“Honestly, I wasn’t excited about getting pictures done but Moxie made it fun after all.  I was going for a casual look for my pictures and knew I wanted to include my longboard and to get some action volleyball shots.  I was worried about feeling comfortable in front of camera, but Karen definitely made that happen.  She helped to pick out the locations, and went above and beyond to help my mom out. I would tell anyone wondering about senior pictures to go with Moxie, Karen will make you feel comfortable and it will end up being fun.   The most memorable moment from my session was diving to hit the volleyball over and over again. I love Moxie Design because of Karen’s high quality of work.”

One piece of advice that Trey has for other seniors getting their photos taken? “Go into it open minded” – great advice!!

If he could describe his overall senior session experience in one word, he would choose  “fun!”

Thank you for letting us be a part of your senior year, Trey!

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Esther.
You may recognize this beauty from her recent Moxie Instagram takeover where we got to follow her for a typical day in quarantine life.  I love Esther and her genuine and kind spirit and am so happy that she was a part of the Class of 2021 Moxie model team.  During the three hours of Esther’s senior session, I tell you what – we were laughing non stop. It was like a day out of a crazy comedy movie!! People were driving by and screaming “hey baby” and “woohoo,”  there was a crazy photoshoot happening in the fountain at the same time we were shooting at Vanderveer Park, fireworks were going off while we were near the Centennial bridge that scared me so much that I remember screaming out loud and when we were downtown Davenport, something happened that I have never seen before in my eight years of being a full time photographer.  We were by a stoplight and I had Esther walking back and forth to get an action shot. I’m sitting on the ground, Sam is reflecting light and Mindy (Esther’s mom) was standing nearby.  Out of nowhere, a guy shows up with his phone and walks right in front of me. He swipes open his camera app and starts taking photos. I look around and everyone’s mouths were dropped completely open. I said something like “um, hi – what are you doing?” and he responded that she was just too beautiful not to take a photo of to remember.  I have to agree, she is absolutely beautiful and I will never in a million years forget her session.

Here is a little about what Esther had to say about her session with Moxie:
“My favorite part of my Moxie experience was THE WHOLE THING! But seriously, I think my favorite part was Karen and Sam. They both were so amazing! They make you feel so magical in that night. Whenever I am sad, I always think back to that night. My senior pictures remind me that I can be confident in my self. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Also, I loved the amount of outfit changes and location changes we got! It was so awesome to have to many different types of pictures. I went for a more casual summer look in my pictures! I found this blue dress, and I knew it would be perfect. I also added my homecoming dress!  My biggest fear for every picture that I take is that I will not look good. Like most girls, I tear myself apart in almost every picture I take. Also, I thought that I was going to feel so uncomfortable. I thought Karen would hate shooting with me because I wasn’t the “perfect” model. Wow was I wrong! I felt truly special every moment that I was there. Karen went out of her way to make me feel like a perfect model. She never stopped hyping me up and that helped me improve my confidence. In the end, my pictures turn out great. It opened a new light for me. The most memorable moment in my session was when I was standing on the sidewalk in Davenport in front of a clock tower and Karen was taking a picture of me. Suddenly, a stranger came walking by and he stopped to take a picture of me because “he never saw anyone so beautiful!” I was in so much shock, but it made me feel very special.  My best friend also got her pictures taken by Moxie and was a model with me. It was an amazing experience to be with her the whole time! We would talk back in forth about our nights and how awesome they were. I always told her how special I felt and about the crazy experiences. I would tell anyone else that they should take the time to get pictures taken! You don’t want to miss this.  I LOVED every session that I had with Karen. My experience was truly special because of all the crazy things that happened. I will remember that night from a guy taking a picture of me to people jumping in the fountain. It was so nice to have such an enjoyable night. I wish I could do it every weekend! I love Moxie Design because of all the confidence Karen brings and the nonstop laughter!

One piece of advice that Esther has for other seniors getting their photos taken? “I would tell them to be their self. Be unstoppable and have fun. This one night could change your life :)).

If she could describe her overall senior session experience in one word, she would choose  “unbelievable.”

Thanks for the memories, Esther and cheers to your future!!
xoxo,

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Ethan.
This Geneseo soccer star and future St. Ambrose business major was a part of our Class of 2021 Moxie model team and we have loved working with him over the past year. We were able to shoot Ethan’s main session at his grandparent’s farm, which is something that I absolutely love to do.  When we are able to incorporate a location that has sentimental value to my seniors and their families, it just makes their photos that much more meaningful in the end.  One of my favorite part of Ethan’s session was at the end when we were doing soccer pictures. I had him dribbling and doing all sorts of soccer stuff and I just kept saying “one more time” which, in the end, would always mean at least six more takes.  I am super grateful that Ethan was open to any ideas I had – his photos turned out so awesome!

Here is a little about what Ethan had to say about his session with Moxie:
My senior photo experience with Moxie design was excellent.  Being a Class of 2021 Model, I had opportunity to go a formal shoot and then my senior shoot. I wanted my look to represent me, so I went with relaxed and casual.  I have never done anything like this before. My mom encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone. In the end, I’m glad I did this because Karen is great to work with made me feel very comfortable.  I wanted to have my shoot out at my grandparents farm in rural Geneseo, IL. It is my favorite place to spend time since I was a little kid. Also, soccer is a big part of my life, so we had to do some action shots at the Geneseo High School soccer pitch.  The most memorable part of my session was when Karen was shooting through the corn stalks!  Karen and her team are professional, creative, and the best to work with!  Karen helped me document memories that I will have for the rest of my life.”

If he could describe his overall senior session experience in one word, he would choose  “excellent.”

Stacy, Ethan’s mom had some sweet things to say that I wanted to share:
“Our experience with Moxie has been phenomenal! Ethan is a member of Moxie’s Class of 2021. This experience definitely pushed him out of his comfort zone and was a great learning experience. Karen’s approach and process yields amazing results!  Her knowledge, professionalism, and creativity is best in business.

Spending time with Karen and her team has been a highlight of Ethans senior year in this unusual year of disruption with the pandemic. We made and documented memories through this process that I will cherish forever.”

Thank you for letting us be a part of your senior year, Ethan!!

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique potography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Reese.
This beautiful PV High School senior and I got to work together quite a bit over the last year as she was a member of the Class of 2021 Moxie model squad. Reese is absolutely stunning and at the same time, super sweet and down to Earth.  Sam and I absolutely loved getting to know her and her awesome mom through all of our shoots over the course of 2020.  I could always count on Reese to try something silly or trust me when it came to locations.  We shot at a spot that was a little bit out of town and on the way there, I had scouted a really cool yellow building. When I asked if Reese would be down to stop there on our way back into town, there wasn’t a hesitation at all.   I ALWAYS tell people that being open will lead to some amazing photos and Reese is a perfect example of that. This Moxie girl has been featured nationally quite a few times with photos from our sessions and can also be spotted on an Eastern Iowa Community College commercial.

Here is a little about what Reese had to say about her session with Moxie:
“There aren’t enough positive adjectives to describe how great my experience was working with Karen and Sam.  It was a really great way to spend the day, it felt like I was with my friends taking pictures and we were laughing the whole time.  I had a lot of different outfits and looks in mind, and Karen found the perfect location that matched each of my outfits perfectly.  My biggest fear in regards to my session was the weather, but then it turned into a beautiful day. And of course Covid was a big worry because I wasn’t even sure if I could take my senior pictures but of course Karen found a way to make it happen.  My most memorable moment would be when I saw a butterfly and tried to pick up, and Karen captured the moment beautifully and then the butterfly flew away.  Karen is so fun to work with and you”ll create lasting memories, like when she had to ask someone who did not speak English if we could take a picture in front of their beautiful yellow building.  I love Moxie Design because Karen is the best!”

One piece of advice that Reese has for other seniors getting their photos taken?
“Loosen up, Karen knows what she’s doing and if you just have fun with it your pictures will reflect that.”

If she could describe her overall senior session experience in one word, she would choose  “relaxed.”

Thank you for letting us be a part of your senior year, Reese!!  I can’t wait to see what your future holds!
xoxo,

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Tiara.
This Class of 2021 Moxie model and Davenport West class president is absolutely stunning.
Working with her over the past year has been so much fun (and I am still obsessing over her perfect eyebrows)!!   We met up for her senior session in the summer on a super hot day in the Village of East Davenport. There, we were able to capture some awesome shots at Lindsay Park as well as around all of the super cute Village buildings.  We then headed downtown Davenport to capture some mural art and then ended our night on top of a parking garage so that we could incorporate her dad’s motorcycle into some of her pictures.  Tiara, I have loved getting to know you and am so glad that you have been a part of our Moxie squad this year.  I have to give you a huge shout out as it seems that every time I post of a photo on social media, it gets featured by a national magazine.  Get it, girl!!

Here is a little about what Tiara had to say about her experience with Moxie:
“My senior photo experience was definitely over the top! Karen was able to make me so comfortable and beautiful in front of the camera! She made the session super easy and devoted her time to capturing the perfect pictures for me.  My favorite part of my Moxie Senior Experience was definitely enjoying every moment of it with Karen and Sam because they have the ability to make you seem like you’ve been friends for years while capturing stunning photos! I was aiming for a diverse look throughout my photo shoot and wanted to create something different. I knew including the motorcycle would be something totally different and also have sentimental meaning.  My biggest worry was not knowing how to pose for all of the photos but Karen showed me exactly how to pose! For locations, the East Village has a variety of opportunities for pictures so I thought it would be an ideal place, especially since Karen has an eye for creating the perfect shot even if it’s in an awkward place that you wouldn’t expect. For the motorcycle, I really wanted the skyline in the background and I knew the parking ramp would be perfect. The most memorable moment was definitely on the parking ramp with my dads motorcycle. It wasn’t something I had anticipated on doing for my senior photos but with unexpected events, it was the best idea ever!! I knew Karen would create the perfect shots.  My experience with Moxie Design was amazing because Karen made it so fun and effortless rather than stressing over the perfect outfits or shot.  Working with Moxie was definitely the best choice I made for my senior photos.  I love Moxie Design because Karen’s photos capture the most memorable time of your life.”

One piece of advice that Tiara has for other seniors getting their photos taken?  “One piece of advice is to try to have fun! The more fun you have, the more you’re able to connect and create the best pictures.”  Great advice, girl!!

If she could describe her overall senior session experience in one word, she would choose  “perfect.”

Thanks for being awesome, Tiara!!  I can’t wait to see where your journey to the University of Arizona will lead you!

xoxo,

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

In a world currently full of uncertainty and chaos, I wanted spread a little love to a business that we have worked with time and time again who never disappoints – Celebrate bridal boutique.
If you are looking for a special occasion dress, you HAVE to check out Celebrate in Bettendorf.  We began our partnership with this beautiful boutique shortly after they opened back in 2015.  Since then, they have grown exponentially and they recently relocated to a gorgeous building on Devils Glen Road.  We love doing high fashion photoshoots featuring their stunning inventory and they always make me want to travel back in time and be able to re-choose my prom and homecoming dresses from high school.
I always look forward to our annual spring editorial prom photo session with our incoming class of Moxie models. Sheleigh, owner of Celebrate, and I started partnering on this project a couple of years ago and loved it so much that we have made it an annual tradition.  I love watching the girls come in and try on their dresses and then get so excited when they see their reflections in the mirror.  Fast forward to when they show up for the model sesh.  These girls look AHHMAZING and our guys look dressed to the nines in their tuxedos.  One of our photos was even featured nationally by Nox Anabel (one of my fave designers)!

Celebrate has an AMAZING selection of dresses and they can be found at their new location at 3203 Devils Glen Road in Bettendorf and are currently open six days a week!

I should also mention that Celebrate is a full service bridal shoppe offering the most beautiful wedding gowns, mother of the bride and groom dresses, tuxedos – you name it, they have it.

Below are some of our favorite photos from our partnered shoots with Celebrate:

Meet Reese.
This PV senior and future Construction Management student and I met up last summer for her senior pictures.  Reese literally looks like she just stepped off a runway from Fashion Week in New York City and not only is she super gorgeous, but she is so sweet and kind.  We had some fun discovering some new spots to shoot downtown and I love the fact that Reese was absolutely fearless and would take on any suggestion that I had. Her photos are absolutely beautiful and I am so thankful that she let us be a part of her senior year.

Here is a little about what Reese had to say about her session with Moxie:
“My session with Moxie was amazing, everything went so smoothly especially concerning coronavirus.  At first I was definitely thinking of going with a more outdoorsy park look for my shoot but after talking to Karen she pushed me out of my comfort zone and I got amazing urban pictures.  I am kind of picky when it comes to how I look so I was worried that everything wouldn’t be perfect but I loved the outcome.  I loved how it wasn’t awkward at all before the actual shoot we only talked a little bit over emails but when I got to the shoot it was so comfortable.  We went to a park in Moline, this was right after the derecho madness so I was worried it would be washed out but it was perfect. There was a little stream that made for some of my favorite pictures. We also went to areas in Moline that you wouldn’t think would make for great pictures but those photos turned out amazing.  Karen with Moxie Design is an amazing photographer who thinks about all of the little things that you wouldn’t have, which in the end makes your experience so much better.”

One piece of advice that Reese has for other seniors getting their photos taken?  “I would say definitely get your hair and makeup done as the package. It saved me so much stress”  Shout out to Haus of Heir for taking such good care of all of our seniors!!

If she could describe her overall senior session experience in one word, she would choose  “Flawless.”

I can’t finish this blog post without a shout out to my hair and makeup geniuses at Haus of Heir boutique salon in Davenport – you guys are amazing!

Cheers to your awesome future, Reese!!

xoxo,

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Maddie.
This Assumption High School senior and future Iowa State student was part of the Moxie model squad representing the class of 2021.  Maddie has the most beautiful light blue eyes – they are magical. I loved that because we were able to work with her over the course of the last year, we were able to capture multiple looks (hello brunette with bright blue eyes – I see you)!  Maddie had some super awesome outfits for her session and we played around with some hats from the style closet, which resulted in some awesome images.

Here is a little about what Maddie had to say about her session with Moxie:
“My senior photo experience was fantastic! I enjoyed every second of it!!! Karen made me feel so comfortable & beautiful while taking pictures. I was nervous I would not be comfortable enough to take the pictures, however it ended up being great. Karen made me feel so comfortable! Karen picked out all of my locations based on my outfits & she did a great job!  The most memorable moment of my session was taking pictures under the pretty sunset!  If I were to tell my best friend about my experience with Moxie, I would say how fun the entire experience was. I would also tell them how much fun they will have.  I love Moxie Design because I felt so comfortable the entire time.”

One piece of advice that Maddie has for other seniors getting their photos taken?  “Pick out your outfits ahead of time! Don’t wait till the last minute!”

If she could describe her overall senior session experience in one word, she would choose  “Fun.”

Thank you for representing Moxie!! We have loved having you as part of our team!
xoxo,

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Brecken.
This Alwood High School senior and basketball AND volleyball superstar was so much fun to work with!  We met up over the summer at her high school so that we could get some sports pictures and I will never forget a moment during that part of her session.  I was literally laying down on the floor of the showers in the girl’s locker room so that I could get the right angle on a basketball photo. We were all laughing so hard at how ridiculous the situation was, but you gotta do what you gotta do to get the right shot!  After we finished up at the high school, we took some shots in Woodhull and then headed out to her family’s beautiful property.  I LOVE when we are able to shoot at an area that means something to my seniors, and being able to incorporate so many different spots at Brecken’s home was out of this world.  We were at this hill at the top of their property and you could see forever and the sky was this beautiful mix of colors – I still get goosebumps when I think about it.  Brecken, you are awesome and I loved being able to work with you on your senior pictures!!

Here is a little about what Brecken had to say about her session with Moxie:
“My overall experience was awesome with Moxie! I started off with my getting my hair and makeup done at the Haus of Heir which was awesome. Then from the time I took my first picture to the very end of the night it was so much fun. We spent a lot of time in between locations getting to know a lot about each other. It was definitely a experience I recommend for someone who is looking to have a lot of fun while also getting the best pictures. I didn’t really go into my shoot having a desired look. I had picked out a variety of different style outfits and gave Karen the freedom of doing what she wanted. The results were awesome and I’m very impressed with how she made each location look awesome in every picture. My biggest fear was not knowing how to pose for my pictures. This was quickly solved the minute my first picture was taken. Karen and Sam were able to pose me and make every picture they took look natural and not staged. My favorite part of my Moxie experience was creating a bond with two of the nicest girls. Sam and Karen made it feel like we had known each other forever. They made the whole process so easy and so much fun. Wishing every day that I could take hundreds of more pictures with them. For my session I shot at a couple of different locations. We started off at my high school shooting my sports pictures. Being from a small town, the buildings around me are very rustic. Karen was able to work with everything down our main street and make it took amazing in every picture she captured. We then headed out towards my house, which is surrounded my farm land. We took pictures by barns, in weeds, along fences and some of my favorite came from the ones captured on our gravel road.  The most memorable part of my session was definitely when Sam was amazed that we had cows and got to take her picture with them. Along with just making my whole experience of getting senior pictures done special.  I would say that my experience was definitely memorable and very exciting and a fun time. Karen and Sam make you feel so comfortable and by the end of your session you have created such a strong connection with them. They also hyped you up during the whole session, making smiling so easy throughout the whole process.  I love Moxie Design because they make you feel so comfortable during your whole session!”

One piece of advice that she has for other seniors getting their photos taken with Moxie?  “I definitely recommend not going in scared to get your pictures taken. There is nothing to be afraid of, if you are someone who is shy they make you feel so comfortable. They are hype women and are there to capture the best you.”

If she could describe her overall senior session experience in one word, she would choose  “fantastic.”

Thank you for letting us be a part of your senior year, Brecken!!

xoxo,

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Faith.
This Assumption High School senior, class of 2021 Moxie model and future nursing major was born to be in front of a camera.  Not only is she supermodel beautiful, but she has a fashion sense that is out of this world. Having worked with Faith numerous times over the past year, I always knew that when she showed up she would be amazingly styled from head to toe. On the day of Faith’s session the radar was showing that there was a huge chance of constant thunderstorms, but did that stop her from showing up with her supermodel A game? Not for a second. She rocked her photoshoot, which you can clearly tell by the number of photos below.

Here is a little about what Faith had to say about her session with Moxie:
“My senior photo session with Moxie could not have been better!! It was fun and relaxing.  I wanted some editorial shots and more traditional senior picture poses. Karen captured those looks and more!  My biggest fear going into it was honestly the  weather! It was a stormy week with a 90 percent chance of rain the night we took the photos! Karen was an awesome weather watcher and we never got rained on. I love Karen’s work and I was so excited to work with her!  My favorite part was the reveal-  It was so fun seeing the pictures!  The locations were so unique. We went to a bus station, a random downtown brick wall, a park, the river… Karen has the eye of an artist! She can make any location work – she has a special eye and will match your outfit with your background. It’s amazing!!! I can’t even pick one moment that would be the most memorable. The session was fun, not a hassle or stressful in any way. Karen is a master at her craft and the entire experience is over the top amazing!!!  A senior photo shoot with Moxie is an adventure –  It’s fun! A must!  I love Moxie Design because it’s step above the rest in every way.”

One piece of advice that Faith has for other seniors getting their photos taken?
“Step outside your box! Have fun!”

If she could describe her overall senior session experience in one word, she would choose  “UNBELIEVABLE”

Thank you for representing Moxie this year, Faith – it was so much fun to work with you!!

xoxo,

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Madeline.
This gorgeous Geneseo senior and Class of 2021 Moxie model has been so much fun to work with over the past year.  Madeline has always been up for any crazy idea I may have – lay in the middle of the road? sure! Take ten minutes of her session to capture a few vintage pictures? of course! She even scored permission to shoot at this beautiful historic building that had some awesome architecture and these really cool swings in the back.  I have to say that during her main three hour session, the weather was probably the hottest we have ever shot in – we were melting just minutes after stepping out of the car.  Even faced with this big challenge, Madeline didn’t let it affect her photos at all.  She looks like she stepped out of the pages of a magazine in every single shot, hence the reason that there are so many photos from her sessions below.

Here is a little about what Madeline had to say about her session with Moxie: “My senior photo session experience was absolutely magical!! Karen and Sam made the experience so comfortable and fun, and the pictures came out fantastic! It was definitely one of the highlights of my senior year, and it was so special to have my Mom by my side through it all. The looks that I was going for in the shoot, I tried to correlate with my locations. I don’t really have a specific style and it seems to always be changing, so I tried my best to incorporate several looks that kind of defined it all! I think that Karen did an amazing job styling my looks at each location that we utilized. My biggest worry about the photo shoot was the temperature! The day I got my pictures taken it was real feel 103, and it was pretty gross outside! The outcome was the use of several oil blotters and the AC blasting between locations, but everything worked out great!! My favorite part of my Moxie Senior Experience was the bond that Karen, Sam, and I made. Immediately it felt like we had known each other for YEARS before my shoot, and it was so freeing to be able to be myself around them and not be scared to try new things and step out of my comfort zone with some of the poses that Karen recommended I try!  My locations were all located in my hometown of Geneseo. My hometown is super important to me, as I have grown up here my whole life, and made so many special memories. I chose each location based off of the outfits that I chose for my pictures, and they all had some sort of significance to me.  It’s hard for me to choose just one moment of my session that was the most memorable, because I loved every minute of it! If I had to pick just one though, I would have to choose the last couple shots of the night when Karen had me posing in the middle of Route 82 when the sun was setting. <3  Karen and Sam made the session comfortable, personalized, super fun, and relaxed, all while keeping things professional. They allow you to step outside of your comfort zone, which provides growth in confidence and the desire to try new things. The photos turn out amazing, and you most definitely won’t regret it!  I love Moxie Design because Karen’s pictures are incredible and she makes everything so comfortable and personalized.”

One piece of advice that Madeline has for other seniors getting their photos taken?  “One piece of advice that I have for other seniors getting their photos taken is just be yourself. I know that sounds so cliche, but honestly if you make the most of the experience and put yourself out there, your pictures will turn out amazing!”

If she could describe her overall senior session experience in one word, she would choose  “unforgettable.”

Thank you for letting us be a part of your senior year, Madeline !!

xoxo,

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come. 

Meet Anna and Mia.
These gorgeous Assumption High School girls are on our Class of 2021 model team and I have loved being able to work with them.  My dad is an identical twin, so I have always had a special place in my heart for twins.  I loved watching their interactions during our shoots and I absolutely adore their relationship. We had so many laughs during their main session – there were hundreds upon hundreds of gnats and mayflies everywhere. I remember Sam and I were walking around their aunt’s house to get a lay of the land and we were absolutely swarmed, so much so that we couldn’t see and we couldn’t stop laughing.  Did the twins let this affect their photos? Not even for one second.  They seriously brought their supermodel games for their entire session.

Here is a little about what Anna and Mia had to say about their session with Moxie:
“It was lots of fun, and Karen made us feel very comfortable in front of the camera. Our biggest fear was not knowing what poses to do, but she brought along pose ideas. We never felt uncomfortable and always found out a fun pose. Our favorite part was definitely having fun.  We started off at our family’s restaurant, then in the East Village, and then at our aunt’s house. We picked them due to their woodwork, scenery, and importance to us and our family. While Anna was taking a picture, there was a pizza delivery man walking to our aunt’s house. So to get the perfect picture, Karen told her to look at him and laugh. It turned out to be one of her favorite pictures from the shoot.  If we were to tell our best friends about our experience, we would say that it was so much fun, the pictures are amazing and that we 100% recommend Moxie Design.”

One piece of advice that the girls had for other seniors getting their photos taken? “Don’t be nervous and just be yourself.”  – great advice, girls!!!!

If they could describe their overall senior session experience in one word, they would choose  “unforgettable.”

Thank you for letting us be a part of your senior year, Anna and Mia!!

xoxo,

Karen

Moxie Design is an award winning boutique photography studio that specializes in providing a boutique high school senior photography experience in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas including but not limited to Moline &  Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa.  Karen Bishop, owner of Moxie Design, has been recognized on both a national and international level as one of the top up and coming high school senior photographers in the industry.  Moxie Design will offer you not only images that represent the awesome person that you are, but an experience that you will remember for years to come.