 |
1. Happy Halloween!
2. Lord have mercy, I love candy corn.
3. JD said absolutely no dog costumes this year...but he said nothing about hats. Boom, LOOPHOLE!
4. I need to sweep.
5. In a pathetic effort to hoard candy, I plan to sit Polo outside our door to scare off potential trick-or-treaters.
|
    
A s a child, my father read chapter after chapter of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boy mysteries. He'd stay up late after I begged him for one more page, ignoring the fact he had to rise before sunrise for work the next morning. Later, in high school, I breezed through John Grisham novels, leaving them on my dad's bed for him to read when he had the chance. We had a penchant for suspense.
A couple weeks ago, I picked up Gone Girl and I reverted back to my Nancy Drew book days...ahem, daze. I'd find myself reading into the wee hours of the morning because I needed to know what was going to happen. The bags under my eyes? Worth it for such a nail-biting read. |
I'm always giddy when I make my way through great books, so here's a few of my Good Reads lately...
Gone Girl by Jillian Flynn. I'd seen a lot of buzz about this book, but it wasn't until a friend insisted I pick it up that I did. The dark story centers around solving the mystery of Amy's disappearance. Unsure if she was kidnapped or murdered, Amy's sudden disappearance leaves her husband as the prime suspect. There was so many twists and turns I didn't know what to expect next...it was one of those books I couldn't put down. To be honest, I found myself asking a ton of questions about relationships, marriage, and husband/wife misconceptions...it was kinda creepy, but that's part of its appeal. 4/5
Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson. This read was a by-product of late night shopping on Amazon.com...oh, yes, I also buy those little do-dads at the cash register because impulse shopping is my jam. I enjoyed this light and funny read, but I don't think it's a book a recommend because it felt like I was reading a stranger's diary with a look back at her I Love Lucy-esque life. You know, the plot, the dilemma (oh no, I almost burned down the house when I baked cookies!), and the husband-shaking-his-head resolution. Cute, but not really my thing. 3/5
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. All I could think when I read this book was, this was mandatory reading in high school?! I shifted english classes when I was a freshman, so I somehow missed this book requirement, but seeing how the movie adaptation starring Leonardo DiCaprio is releasing in December, I thought it'd be good to brush up on my literary/cinema love. And, whoa. Infidelity, deceit, and drama...if it wasn't so well written, I'd be offended ;) It's hailed as a great American novel and if I had 1/1000th of Fitzgerald's ability to write, I'd die happy. 4/5
This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz. Remember when I said I like short stories? Well, this book ranks on up with Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies (an awesome read), and a lovely follow up Diaz's The Incredible Life of Oscar Wao (which won a Pulitzer). I'm a huge fan of Diaz's poetic writing and his ability to access a rawness that leaves a reader numb. This was another book I stayed up late reading and it delivered in a way Diaz only can. 4/5
Happy Tuesday! |
|
FAQ : Tips for Portrait Photography
|
M y mom insists she doesn't have a favorite child. Pfffft. LIKE I BELIEVE HER. It's clear I would be any parent's favorite given my record of bribery and blackmail. You're welcome, mother. Since I don't have children I don't know what it'd feel like to choose favorites, but the closest I get to this type of decision making is deciding what photos will be posted on the blog after an engagement session.
And right about...now...every mother reading this post is rolling her eyes. No, children and photos are nothing alike, but I can feel a sense of creative ownership and it's hard to select which to showcase to represent the shoot as a whole. |
I rarely display portraits. I shoot standard portraits at every engagement session, but I don't showcase them on the blog because it's not a specialty and I don't think they're the best representation of my work. I, however, ensure to capture a signature portrait because I believe it's nice to have and rounds out the engagement session portfolio.
Okay, so now that I've established I include portraits during my sessions, I want to talk a little more about How to Make Portraits Look and Feel Natural {with an editorial flair}. I added that last part because, well, I like long sentences. I make a mental note to capture a portrait of the couple together (this would be a traditional photo for mom or grandma to hang above their mantel), and individual portraits of the guy and girl. |
Portrait Tips for a Female Subject:
1. View the subject with a stylist's eye. Take a look at her outfit and hair to ensure everything is neat and in place...what you're trying to do is avoid fixing things in Photoshop (fly away hair, bulging pants, etc) later.
2. Talk to your subject from behind the camera while you're shooting. By making the shoot conversational, the subject naturally loosens up and smiles organically. These photos work best at showcasing the subject in her truest form.
3. Give your subject something to do with her hands...not just one option, but four. Before photographing your subject, show her how you'd like her to position her hands, then give her three more options. These options allow for the subject to flow through her hand positions effortlessly while you're shooting. Once she knows what to do, you'll hardly struggle with the appearance of dangling arms. Amen. |
Portrait Tips for a Male Subject:
1. Study poses from magazines like Esquire, GQ, and J. Crew. Truly understand how a male form works alone, leaning against something, and walking. Being confident in how to rearrange a male body is the first step in achieving natural poses.
2. Give your subject action. When working with men, I've discovered that when I give them something to do (look at your watch...adjust your tie...run your hands through your hair), they follow with a pointed purposes that results in a clean shot.
3. Act like a mirror. Being a female photographer, I try my best to stay hands off of my male subjects, simply for the sake of professionalism. If I'm struggling to get a guy into a pose, I position us face-to-face and ask him to mirror my movements. Chin down, chin down...look right, look right. Once we walk through a flow of the movements, I step back and then begin to photograph him in a way that allows him to mirror the movements from the beginning to the end yielding a natural look. |
Portrait Tips for a Couple:
1. Be aware of their fingers. A couple might be looking fantastic together, but a revealing component to a photo is whether the fingers look cramped or limp. If the hands look dead, the picture is unrealistic. Remind the couple to keep their fingers light and happy...yes, this sounds ambiguous, but it works. Trust me. |
2. Be aware of prom poses. It's easy to fall into a traditional prom pose, elbows angled out and all. If you see a portrait that looks too stiff or awkward, don't hesitate to ask your couple to shake it out. Literally. There are times when I ask subjects to shake out their shoulders and relax their backs...sure, it seems silly but it results in two people falling into each others' arms with no strain or fakeness at all. And, no, fakeness isn't really a word.
3. Encourage the couple to relax their smiles. It's nice to have a big cheesy smile now and then, but it's our job as photographers to instruct a couple on how to relax their smiles and, instead, rely on their eyes to convey emotion. Because, really, a fake smile doesn't look good on anyone. Take a few seconds to demonstrate how to achieve the look you want and by doing so, you're giving them the permission to blossom in front of your lens and become confident in the process. |
|
Friday Randomness : Working in Las Vegas
|
H appy Friday, Internet! I'm in Las Vegas to photograph a wedding this weekend and last night things got cray. Popping bottles in the ice, like a blizzard...something something something gettin slizzard. I've never been good with song lyrics, but it doesn't matter because I'm just making things up. Things didn't get cray, unless you consider watching episodes Antiques Roadshow riveting.
I wish I was the girl didn't worry about business when I travel for business, but, well, I'm not. I over think overthinking, I worry about worrying. What if I eat something bad at a buffet and I can't work the following day? What if I twist my ankle walking back from the Elvis exhibition? What if I get a face tattoo after betting it all on red?! Leave it to me and I'll be the girl walking down the Strip in a life-sized bubble. With a camera.
Speaking of cameras, I think this guy needs a new one... |
| If I brought Polo to Las Vegas with me, I'd make sure he walked around with this leash, so he wouldn't feel left out... |
| However, since my dog is at home, he'll fully expect a similar jacuzzi set up upon my return... |
| Oh! One last thing...I do know lyrics to a few songs, most from growing up and listening to music my mother didn't allow. Hey, Ma, this one's for you... Ice, ice, baby... |
|
Trump National Palos Verde Wedding : Shala+Omar
|
© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
|
S he stared out the window of her suite and let out a soft squeak. Doesn't look like rain today, she announced to everyone within earshot of her elated voice. Shala had morphed into a meteorologist the week leading to her wedding day, spouting rain statistics and cross-referencing weather websites to ensure the day was safe. But just in case, she bought umbrellas. Lots of umbrellas hidden in the closet for to see them might betray the cloud-like doubt in her heart. No, it couldn't rain.
Shala and Omar passed notes to each other from their suites--love letters filled with promises and declarations of forever--until it was time to see each other before the wedding ceremony. Omar waited on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Coast, but as Shala made her way to him, the skies parted and the rain fell. At first it danced on the pavement, almost teasing Shala to complete what she had set out to do, but when puddles formed along the pathway, she turned and waited for Omar.
Under an expansive oak tree, Omar and Shala met for the first time on their wedding day. The rain slowed to a drizzle and they laughed at their luck. Together they'll face any storm life pushes their way with similar sentiment: as long as they have each other, every day is perfect.
Shala and Omar...words fail to describe how appreciative I am to have joined you on such a personal and intimate day. You're both incredibly kind and warm and deserve all the goodness that's come your way. Just like your wedding day, the sun will always shine for people who are entitled to the warmth they themselves give so freely. Enjoy Bora Bora and good luck with your new puppy! Much Love and Appreciation... j* |
| Shala wore a stunning Vera Wang gown and a bejeweled belt...so beautiful... |
| The afternoon was beautiful with just a few clouds in the sky... |
| In a matter of minutes, the weather turned, but it didn't dampen the spirit of the day...JD captured this moment when Shala and Omar saw each other for the first time... |
| I love sisters. I know it's a blanket statement, but it's also true. The love and loyalty sisters have with each other is something I'm always impressed with at weddings...Shala, Sarah, and Shahira are three amazing girls, but even better siblings... |
| The day became overcast after the ceremony, but I didn't mind one bit because the light along the coast was just beautiful...and it didn't hurt I had such lovely models for the day! ;) |
| Oh, Shala...GO ON!!!!!!!!!!! Rawr. |
| Shala and Omar opted for an intimate affair for their closest family and friends. But one of the things I adore about Shala is her inability to keep things simple...her attention to detail is something I love... |
| Trump National Golf Course served as a perfect location for their wedding and reception and the ballroom reflected Shala and Omar's personal and refined style. |
| In addition to the adorable wishing tree, I should mention I photographed Shala's sister's wedding two years ago. Chris and Sarah are phenomenal people and working with their families again was a true honor...I love my clients!!! |
| They danced with soul (many thanks to Al Green) for their First Dance...love... |
| This couple--and their amazing guests--knew how to keep a party going...and going...rumors are they danced so much there's holes in the carpet! ;) |
| A perfect night for a perfect couple.... |
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
