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You Have Everything You Need
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In the midst of...
life
lunches
suitcases
websites
emails
dog treats
rinse cycles
dishes
spin cycles
spin class
calories
dreams
photographs
breathing
sleeping
organizing
shampooing
living
loving
hoping
...I realized I have everything I need. And it took a random poster in Los Angeles to remind me. |
    
I t was the way she made me feel. And her voice. Like Barbara Walters, but less annoying and pretentious. Mrs. Blum's soft hands were spotted with nickel-sized spots, her fingers like giraffes floating in mid-air. She decorated her library section with posters, Romona Quimby books, and safari stuffed animals. She was one of the reasons we took the hour-long bus ride to her library. Mrs. Blum and her giraffes.
The library where I grew up was small, had bars on the windows, and was closed more often than not. And there was a lack of Romona Quimby. I read through most the books in the children's section, so my mom had to do something. My father took our only car to work in the morning, so once a week, my mom packed grocery bags with books and we headed to the bus stop and hoped for seats next to open windows. My sister and I fought over who got to pull the Stop string as we approached our destination. We walked for 25 minutes to the library, always embraced by the sweet smell of pages and the chill of air-conditioning.
My sister and I would race up the wooden staircase, and slow to a walk when we discovered we were in the presence of greatness. When I passed Mrs. Blum's desk at the top of the flight, I'd touch the clay figurine someone made her. A lilypad.
Mrs. Blum warned my mom I wasn't allowed to check out more than 15 books at a time. I cried. My mother explained I was homeschooled and I'd likely finish the books before the week commenced. Mrs. Blum's giraffes patted my chubby arm and said she'd make an exception. That summer she made me and my sister her assistant librarians for the Summer Reading Program. She treated us to an ice-cream buffet in late August for all our hard work.
Between my mother's diligence and Mrs. Blum's support, I fell in love with reading...which later proved to be the very thing that moved me from away from libraries with barred windows. And a future filled with giraffe-sized opportunities. |
| Many thanks to Candace Prokopets for sending me this book. Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington is truly remarkable...his grace, power, and dignity in light of racism in American was moving...and heart-breaking at the same time. I finished this book last week on my way home from Las Vegas and I cried in McCarran International Airport. Such a great read. |
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Four Seasons Santa Barbara Wedding : Rose+Joe
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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A s we walked through the terracotta hallways of the Four Seasons Santa Barbara, we laughed and joked with each other. The day was gearing up for a fantastic wedding, so naturally the conversation led to Meg's upcoming wedding as well. I had the opportunity to second shoot for her and it was the first time we worked together. As we walked the hallways it struck me--ohsweetbabyjesus--that Meg will see my entire body of work...firsthand, untouched, and in all its unedited glory.
It was the first time I photographed a wedding alongside a future bride of mine. Whoa, the pressure.
Thankfully, Rose and Joe were a slice of perfection. And so was their wedding. They're two of the most amazing, creative, beautiful souls I could work with and I was honored Meg invited me to shoot their Santa Barbara wedding. The day was filled with love, joy, and happiness and I thankful to simply stand back and document the day as it unfolded...
The day started fabulously...I mean, a pair of Valentino's and a cathedral-length veil? Yes, please.... |
| Rose just shined as she got ready for the day... |
| After a few minutes hanging out with the girls, I went to Joe's room... |
| ...there I found his nieces looking quite adorable... |
| I had quite a bit of fun shooting this little fella before the ceremony... |
| The Santa Barbara light played just gorgeously on the Four Seasons' wedding lawn...lovvvved it... |
| One of my favorite moments of the day... |
| Rose made a radiant bride... |
| After the wedding ceremony, we roamed the grounds of the Four Seasons Santa Barbara with Joe and Rose for more wedding pictures and had a blast... |
| The light was simply divine... |
| I'm particularly fond of the Stylish Soiree's acute sense of detail...I'll be working with Yelena for Meg's wedding and I'm so, so excited to see all her ideas come to life! |
| Something about the photo on the right makes me feel like a nod to a different place and time... |
| I'll close this blog post with the following wedding photo...a little dark and moody, but I kinda like it... |
T his past week has been a busy one for Jasmine, so when she asked me to write a blog post to help alleviate her work load, I laughed because I didn't think she was serious. Then I tried telling her it wasn't in my job description. It started with a conversation we had while we walked the dog. We got to discussing the things people ask me. Things they might not feel comfortable asking her. She, of course, wanted to know what it was. So I told her: The number one thing people ask me is, "Is she always like that?" Jasmine gave me a sideways glance and I knew I had to choose my words carefully. I told her my answer was yes. Yes, Jasmine is always like that.
If you've met Jasmine, you'll know she's loud, spicy, opinionated, and driven. And she's like that all the time. For better...and worse. She'll always tell you what's on her mind (even if I think it's inappropriate), she's quick to forget (which is good when we disagree, but awful when she's grocery shopping without a list), and will dance even when there's no music (please don't get me started on this). She's running a thousand miles a minute and she doesn't wait for people to keep up. Except for me. I always tell her she needs to slow down! :)
Jasmine won't admit when she's afraid, but is always willing to ask for help. She'll argue over a small idea because she just really wants you to prove your point. She listens to what people say in between the lines (this usually happens after she asks an appropriate question) and remembers their stories. This makes her special. More importantly, she won't let people tell her no.
So, for those of you who wanted to ask the same question, my answer will likely be the same. Photographers also ask if I went to school for photography (no, I learned everything from Jasmine), if I like working with my wife (yes, but every so often I miss co-workers who don't try to make out with me), and if I am bothered not being the main photographer (no, not at all). Reading over this post, I realized that I used a lot of (parenthesis). This isn't normal, but when I talk about Jasmine, I can't help but feel there's too many things to say that need an explanation! :) |
| Knowing Jasmine, I have no doubt today's conversation as we walk Polo will likely be, "...I'm not spicy...and I'm definitely not opinionated!" :) |
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Calamigos Equestrian Wedding : Amber+Matt
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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D uring the time of year in Los Angeles when the Valley usually sits somewhere in the 115-degree range, last Saturday was remarkable. Blue skies, soft breezes, and patchy clouds spread across the cool afternoon. There was something in Amber's smile that revealed she had no doubt the day would be just as she hoped: Amazing. Matt sent her roses, she sent him a cake...afterall, she first won his heart with her chocolate chip cookies, so why not appeal to his sweet tooth again?
Amber's father roasted and toasted the couple during the reception and make every effort to reinforce their mutual love for sweets...and cooking...and, yes, sweets. He informed guests Amber's mother won a the Fresno Baking Competition and many years later, Amber followed in her footsteps with her chocolate chip cookie recipe. Apparently, she had it perfected just in time to meet Matt at work. He fell for her kindness, intellect, and, of course, her innate ability to talk to his heart through his stomach. A couple years later, Amber and Matt sat in a room surrounded by love. Sweet, sweet love.
Amber and Matt....thank you for sharing your day with us. Seeing your family again was a true honor and we appreciate your thoughtfulness and care throughout the day. I wish you only the best in your lives together and I appreciate all you are. Hope you're having fun in Kauai and when you return, send me your chocolate chip cookie recipe! ;) Much love and appreciation... j* |
| This was my second time working with the Setrakian family and I can't say enough good things about them...I honestly feel like they're an extension of my own family. Sandy is just a perfect mother who never lets an opportunity to pass to remind her daughters how much she loves them... |
| Matt and JD waited in the lobby of the hotel for Amber to join him, but I have to say Matt looked quite dapper... |
| Amber and Matt opted for a First Look (which is the perfect way to start a wedding day), which allowed us plenty of time for photos and relaxation...here's a beautiful moment JD captured during their first moments together... |
| I usually don't post family formal photos, but I had to show a little love for the Setrakian family--also known as The Eight Pack--who I had the pleasure to meet when I shot Heather and Gian's wedding a couple years ago... |
| I think this is my favorite photo of the day... |
| Amber looking gorgeous in her Pronovias gown... |
| A consist favorite photo of mine is of the couple as they walk down the aisle...sheer happiness... |
| I'll end this post with a happy photo from their First Dance... |
2010
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2009
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2008
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2007
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