 |
| Polo would like to wish my blog readers a very Happy Halloween! He told me this morning just how sad he was not to have a costume like all his other dog friends, so I ran out and bought him what could very well be the worst costume ever created. Really. |
| Reason number 8,492 why I should be banned from motherhood. If left to my own devices, I might buy my future child a suit that would cause blindness. I rock. |
    
|
Miranda and Justin : Wedding
|
© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
|
T he sun shined through the vintage windows of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and music crackled through the radio as Miranda gracefully sat perched on a white leather chair. As the finishing touches were made to her hair and makeup, she looked composed and content while her mother and bridesmaids circled the room like busy bees. People keep on asking me if I’m nervous, but I’m not…I mean, should I be?! A little more hairspray and a hand massage later, Miranda was ready to be married and finally call the man of her dreams, her husband.
Justin and his groomsmen lounged in a poolside room while a DJ spun Top 40 music just outside the private patio. Drinks were passed around, heads bobbed to the music, and tuxedo jackets were distributed while Justin sat perched on a white leather couch and smiled. He was more than ready to see his future wife.
In the penthouse of the Roosevelt Hotel, their wedding blossomed into a singular moment of calm and serenity. The music, the hairspray, the clinking sounds of passing drinks were gone, leaving in their place two beautiful people promising forever and a day to each other.
Miranda and Justin, there are some days when I want to pinch myself to wake up from moments when life seems like a dream. Your wedding day was one such moment. Beyond treating JD and me like family, you made us feel like friends and we appreciate it more than you know. Thank you for inviting me to preserve the memories of your fabulous wedding day and my heart is overwhelmed with so much happiness for you! Hope you’re having the time of your lives in Kauai and taking tons of pictures with your new digital camera! ;) Much Love and Appreciation…J*
|
| Many thanks to Jeannie for doing a wonderful job with Miranda's hair (Contact: 818.347.1900) and Carolyn for a lovely job with Miranda's makeup (Contact: 818.383.0123) |
| JD hung out with the guys and captured some awesome photos (you can see more in the slideshow!) |
| Justin and Miranda opted to see each other before the wedding ceremony to allow for plenty of time for pictures...which is SO awesome!! They met in the Penthouse of the Roosevelt Hotel for photos and it was ultra fab! The room was filled with mirrors and had a cool retro vibe, which made their first moments together so amazing! |
| I LOVED this red wall we found and though we had just a few seconds to shoot in front of it, Miranda and Justin worked it out! |
| The Roosevelt Hotel is located on Hollywood Boulevard--just across the street from Chinese Mann's Theater--so we decided to walk around for a little bit and had so much fun! |
| People cheered for Miranda and Justin along the boulevard... |
To see more of their fabulous wedding, CLICK HERE for a slideshow!
I'd also like to thank Paula and Anilla (of the Roosevelt Hotel) for all their hard work in making the day flow so smoothly! |
I t’s a little late. I hear Jimmy Kimmel orating his evening monologue from the living room and—though I’m in another room—I know Polo and JD are laying on the sofa. I’m editing last Saturday’s wedding and as the night creeps forward, I can’t sleep.
In a few hours, my mother will be having surgery and staying in the hospital for a couple days. Later today, we’ll find out whether the lump in my mom’s throat is cancerous. And though I feel worried, I’m also faithful. I believe everything will be okay. And I believe this for no other reason than I must or else my hope slowly chips away.
I’ll be spending most of the day at the hospital with my family, but I’ll update as soon as I have details. For those of you who’ve written and spread a little support and love, thank you. Trying to balance work, life, and hope is difficult, but I appreciate your time and outpouring of kindness. It makes me feel so warm and fuzzy! ;)
**EDITED TO ADD**
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I spent most of the day with my mother and though she was unresponsive, the nurses promised she was doing well. I spoke with my mom this morning and she seems in happy spirits, so that's awesome! We find out the results from the surgery on Monday, but I just wanted to express how thankful I am for making me feel less alone. Seriously, thank you. |
|
Proof
|
© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
|
A few days ago—after being tirelessly annoying for two or three hours—I asked JD if he thought I was funny. Standing in front of an open refrigerator door, he simply said, No. I furrowed my eyebrows so they looked like a singular catepillar slowly making its way across my forehead and said, But, really, you must think I’m hilarious… Staring intently at bean sprouts, a carton of strawberries, or my half-eaten apple from the morning’s breakfast, he remained silent. Not even when I sing rap songs like Broadway musical show tunes? Imitate your father at the dinner table? Dance in the grocery market?! Silence.
Oh, Internet, it’s evident he was LYING TO MY FACE. JD so thinks I’m funny. I’m almost certain he whispered to friends at a dinner party that he’s married to Eddie Murphy’s long-lost twin. Either that or I should host my own HBO Comedy Special. Or that he can’t believe he’s married to someone as funny as me. I am almost certain I heard him say something like this. Or something that rhymes with this.
As I looked through JD’s images from yesterday’s wedding, I found my new most favorite picture. I look horrifically UGLY, but that’s why I like it. I love it because JD captured me in all my fugliness talking with my bride along Hollywood Boulevard. The moment is so real and conjures only the fondest memories of working with such an amazing couple.
|
| The next time JD stands in front of an open refrigerator door, I’m going to ask him if he thinks I’m funny. If he says no, I’ll dance around the kitchen singing rap songs like Little Orphan Annie and know this picture proves otherwise. |
I try to live my life without my head screwed on backward. You know, looking to the past. I like to think the decisions I make are right and never defer to the What Ifs self-doubt can throw my way. When it comes to making business decisions, I may vacillate for a moment, but once I have an answer, I’m a locomotive and you can’t move my caboose!
There are moments, however, when I look at people and applaud them for making decisions I wish I made earlier in my career. Newer photographers who see the industry trends and try to climb the learning curve as quickly as possible. These are the people I applaud.
When Diandra and I initially made contact, I assumed we were the same age. She’s a newbie photographer trying to navigate the labrynth otherwise known as the wedding industry, but I was so happy to hear she wanted headshots taken. Not only is Diandra sweet, charming, and kind…she’s incredibly smart for building a brand around herself. During the shoot, I found out Diandra’s in her early twenties and my mouth dropped. She’s just starting her business, but she’ll be going places based on her amazing personality and business prowess.
Diandra, I applaud you. And I thank you for allowing me to document the start of your fabulous career!
|
| Diandra, you're gorgeous. Plain and simple. |
| I couldn't love this picture more...its just so Diandra! |
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
