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I ’ve never been one for Halloween. You’d think that I’d love the notion of walking around and getting free chocolate, right? I mean, that’s almost as good as not having to walk around for free chocolate. No mobility and free chocolate? Sign me up!
This morning, however, hasn’t really been that great. Polo is off at the vet today to get neutered and I’m so sad without him. Yes, this totally sounds sappy and—quite frankly—a little pathetic, but just the idea of him in a crate just kills me. My dog is part human and literally cries when we leave him alone. Like human tears. I find myself trying to work, but my thoughts go back to him and wonder if he’s okay. Does he have enough water? Is someone there to rub his ears? Is he crying?
Like I said, I can be a little pathetic.
Another bummer is that I’ve been SO swamped lately that JD and I never got around to our pumpkin carving competition. I woke this morning and saw our two perfectly intact orange vegetables in our living room. Have our lives been so hairy lately that we don’t even have an hour to carve a pumpkin?! That made me sad.
The good news is that I’m dressing up this year for Halloween! Um, kinda. Sorta. I’m dressing up as a photographer! ;) Every year my church hosts a HUGE carnival, so when I was asked to photograph the event, I had to say yes. I mean, how can I decline a request from my pastor?! ;)
I hope everyone has a great day today and eats lots of chocolate and sweets…life is too short not to!
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| ...and, uh, yeah...this is my last-ditch attempt at a festive pumpkin. i'm obviously the one of the right. ;) |
    
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Melissa and Jackson : Wedding
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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T heir day was filled with a potpourri of personal touches. Melissa wanted to ensure guests were brimming with a sense of connection with her and Jackson. As she finished dressing, Melissa heard Jackson’s booming laughter from the hedged rose garden and tried to gain a sneak peek of her groom waiting for her. Just being around him, Melissa said to her bridesmaids, will make my day so much better!!
For their First Look, Melissa asked her father to escort her down to see Jackson. When they saw each other, Melissa wilted away from her father’s arms and into those of her future husband. Her father took a step back and watched from a slight distance with pride, happiness, and a twinge of melancholy…letting go, both physically and emotionally, can often be difficult. However, sadness can easily be replaced with pure joy seeing two people so in love.
Melissa and Jackson, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day. It was beautiful in so many ways and I truly felt connected to your love. Thank you for continuously thinking of JD and me as one of your guests…your kindness did not go unnoticed! Have fun in Maui...and get a tan for me!! Much Love and Appreciation…J*
I loved Melissa's Maggie Sottero wedding dress~
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| Melissa asked for the First Look to be just her, her father and Jackson, but her friends and family found a clever way to still be in on the action! :) |
| They had some of the funniest toasts ever! |
| I dubbed this guy Sir Smilealot...Keeper of the Dancefloor ;) |
| To see more of their wedding, CLICK HERE for a slideshow! |
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FAQ : National Conferences
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FAQ: When did you start going to WPPI (DWF…Photo Plus, etc)? As a relatively new photographer, should I attend?
The quick answer is YES!
Beyond all the absolutely amazing speakers you’ll hear, the fabulous seminars available, and jaw-dropping trade-shows, you’ll meet other photographers and make new friends. It’s really a win-win-win. I had only owned my digital SLR a couple months when Mike invited me to join him and his beautiful wife at WPPI. I went as his assistant and helped him with whatever he needed, when he needed it. He was insanely busy, but he made sure I was able to attend a few seminars…as well as ensure I went to the parties later that night with him! ;)
I met SO many incredible people and I’m blessed to now call them friends. Actually, the first time I ever met Becker was at WPPI 2006. He walked around the tradeshow floor like he owned the joint and I thought to myself, Who does this guy think he is?!? ;) It wasn’t until later during the conference when I got to know (and completely adore) him. That same year, I met a newbie photographer named Cameron Ingalls. He hung out late one night after one of Mike’s presentations, so we started chatting. We immediately clicked (we spoke about his girlfriend and his other life passions), and promised to stay in touch. And we have.
Last Friday night, JD and I headed to Irvine Spectrum to join Becker and Jess for Happy Hour appetizers before Becker was ready to purchase Leopard at the MAC store. Shortly thereafter, JD, Jess, and I met Cameron and his wife Anna (the aforementioned girlfriend!) for dinner and we spent the evening under a blackened sky. Our long dinner served as further proof to me that continuing to attend conferences will make me a better photographer, but—more importantly—a better person.
If you’re wondering right now whether you should attend a conference, DO IT! The return on your investment is priceless and you’ll be so happy you invested in professional as well as personal growth!
Happy Monday!
Jess, Becker, me |
| Here's a totally hot picture of Cameron and Anna because I FORGOT to take a picture of all of us...Ugh! |
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Tiffany and Mark : Day After
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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Beauty in Ashes.
There’s something amazing about Mark and Tiffany. They hold a special place in my heart for many reasons, but mostly because they saw something in me that I didn’t quite see in myself. After photographing Mark’s marriage proposal to Tiffany in Summer 2006, I put together a slideshow to display the images. Shortly thereafter, Tiffany booked me as her wedding photographer.
Little did they know that it was the first wedding I booked. Ever.
As we sat in the meeting, we spoke about many things, but I couldn’t shake the feelings of inadequacy and trepidation. However, Mark and Tiffany were quite the opposite. Reassurance, thick layers of creamy compliments, and an array of positive sprinkles. A confidence cupcake, if you will.
By the time their wedding rolled around the following Summer, I shot a handful of weddings and was excited to be a part of their day…mostly because they saw beauty in ashes. Potential buried in a sea of self-doubt.
As life would have it, when Mark and Tiffany made their way into the San Juan Capistrano Mission for their Day After photo session, ashes were floating everywhere from the nearby Orange County fires. The sun was red and cast an inordinately warm glow on the terracotta walls. They looked positively radiant and I felt blessed to be working with them again.
Mark and Tiffany, thank you for seeing beauty in ashes.
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This shot is for Tiffany. She combed over endless stacks of bridal magazines and came across this pose. She wanted to recreate the shot with her and Mark...I hope it did it justice! :)
On a sidenote, if you're a bride and you're reading this, don't be afraid to take ownership in the photoshoot...I LOVE when clients proffer ideas and come ready to work it for the camera! I value taking time to educate my clients and encourage them to help me make the session everything they want it to be and more! |
| To see more of their Day After Session, CLICK HERE for a slideshow to one of my and Tiffany's favorite songs!! |
I’ve been told I’m loud on more than one occasion. Okay, on many occasions.
I’m pretty quiet in a large, unfamiliar crowd, but once the proverbial guard is let down, my tongue roars faster than a Mazerati and my voice is completely unsuitable for people within 15 feet of me. I can’t help it. I’m half Puerto Rican…it comes with the package.
When I’m excited (and it seems I get excited more frequently than the average person), I have a tendency to yell and/or shriek. I don’t even realize I'm doing it until people peel away from me and rub their ears. Like I said, it comes with the package.
Yesterday, by the octave of my voice, one could easily assume it was a great day. Despite the horrific weather here in Irvine caused by the Santa Margarita fires (crimson sky, ashes floating everywhere, palpitating heat), I had a totally fun Day After Session in San Juan Capistrano, then rushed home to make dinner for my best friends. Every week we congregate in a different home to watch America’s Next Top Model and the host is in charge of dinner. I’ll usually spring for Thai take-out, but last night I wanted to impress everyone with my mad Chef Boyardee skills, so I made an Italian meal. As we sat down to say a simple prayer before the meal, my heart was so overwhelmed with thankfulness and happiness, I kinda, sorta cried. I squeaked a prayer past the enormous lump in my throat and then thanked my friends and JD for their constant love and support.
And what better way to watch ANTM than in front of a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies! Ahhh, yes, nothing surpasses a good dose of chocolate, surrounded by friends, watching the painfully annoying Tyra Banks crush a girl’s modeling aspirations! ;)
Just in case any of my blog readers want something to shriek about, look at this…
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As I poured milk for a few of my friends to eat with their cookies, I poured myself a glass of orange juice. I drink OJ with all my desserts. I know, I know…some think it’s gross, but I loooove it. There’s just something so unnerving about milk to me. I totally abhor it, so growing up I got accustomed to drinking OJ with sweets.
Go ahead, shriek in disgust.
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