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T oday I spent the afternoon with a group of amazing photographers. We ate, we laughed, and we learned from each other. Not too long ago, I hosted the first ever Starbox Lunch and had such a great time. Shortly thereafter, I received a few lunch invitations, so I decided to host another lunch! It was fabulous!
I love these lunches because I learn so much from other people…and I hope it wasn’t a one-way street! ;) The groups are intentionally left small because there’s nothing like having an intimate opportunity to dine and talk with peers. Our lives often carouse at the speed of light, so taking the time to just sit and relax is so appropriate.
To my new friends, thank you for making me feel special. I can’t wait to see where your growing careers will take you…hopefully we can all look back one day soon and say, Remember when… and know we’ve gone quite far with our hopes and dreams. Much love and appreciation…J*
Here’s a picture of the lunch crew from left to right...
Bottom: Lisa Roah, Jennifer Elaine, Karey Schroeder, Nataly Lemus, Brian Khang, Gabriel Ryan
Top: Mark Brooke, Candace, and me (not pictured, Julia Williams)
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Happy Thursday~
**EDIT** If you're interested in going to a Starbox Lunch, just shoot me an email jasmine at jasminestarphotography dot com and I'll keeo your info on file for future reference! Thanks! :)
**EDIT 2** Thanks for everyone's interest, but the next lunch is now full...I think a little too full! ;) Please contact me again in February if you're still interested! |
    
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Inspiration in Notebook Form
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Hi Friends! I’m running out the door, but I wanted to quickly blog about something I’ve been working on for the past year.
There are days when I feel completely and utterly uninspired. I hate admitting this because, really, I’d love to say I’m constantly brimming with fresh ideas. But that’s so far from the truth. However, there are a few things I do to help me stay invigorated…on the top of my list is My Notebook.
A while back, my mother bought me a spiral notebook and I decided to make it a catalogue of sorts. I’d tape inspiring pictures on the pages, use it to write my workshop notes in, and refer to it when I was feeling desperate for creativity. I can’t express how AWESOME it’s been. I can’t wait to add to it next year, but here are a few snapshots of some pages…I sincerely hope some of my blog readers start their own notebooks because it’ll help raise the bar for the entire industry. As long as we’re all moving forward together, our clients are happier, our work is better, and we’re improving wedding photography as a whole.
Whenever I find a picture I like, I cut it out and tape it to the page. The pictures aren't all bridal, but I try to find images I'd like to recreate if given the chance...on the opposite side of the page are notes from the Anti-Workshop |
Here's a sketch of a photograph I want to capture some day soon. Yes, I know I could rival Picasso for my sketching skillz. I just got it like that. :)
Okay, but beyond the pre-school sketch, I had an idea and I had to get it down on paper. I don't know if you can read what I wrote in the margins, but this idea--this someday photograph--is inspired by a recent David Yurman ad campaign, mixed with a splash of Christian Dior. Obviously, you can't tell from the sketch what I have in mind, but as long as I get it, that's all that matters. On the top of the page is another sketch that will one day come to frutition as well! :) |
| In my notebook, I also include things I want to remember. When I was chosen as Blu Domain's Photographer of the Year, Kailee asked me to hold a sign reading: "I LOVE BLU". Before I made the sign, I wanted to get a few ideas down on paper, so I sketched here for posterity's sake! :) |
| ...and here's the final product... |
| Here's my most recent entry...these are a few pages of my notes from the Shootshop |
Okay, so I’ve arrived.
No, really, I’ve finally arrived to the 21st century and created a Facebook Account. Hollla! No more geriatric associations for this girl…I’m uber young, fresh, and web saavy. Sorta. I’m still trying to figure the whole thing out, but I’d love to add you as a friend, so stop by, say hello, and tag up my ‘wall’…because me and graffiti are so best friends. CLICK HERE to become my friend. Good grief, did that sound totally pathetic or what? ;)
I do have to admit, however, that I’m a little nervous because I have OCD and I’m afraid I’ll be sucked into the black hole that is otherwise known as Facebook…dun, dUN, DUN!
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Happy Monday!
**EDIT** Thank YOU to all my new Facebook Friends! Y'all made me feel so warm and fuzzy my first day out! Also, I am not accepting invitations from people who do not have a picture attached to their profile (unless I know you otherwise) and/or are profile-less. Thanks for understanding! :) |
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A Lil Leather Craftsmen Lovin'
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I’m a loyalist. And I’m quite proud of this notion.
When I first started my wedding photography business, there was SO much I had to learn. There were times when I felt extremely overwhelmed and wondered whether I’d ever feel I had a handle on the situation. Among many other things, I didn’t quite understand how to process my albums—what company to use, which designer would be the best fit, premium versus standard leather. I was at a complete loss.
So, I decided to set up a meeting with Ira from Leather Craftsmen to better help me understand the process. We met in his home and he answered everything under the sun, including a play-by-play of everything I needed to get started. He was kind, sincere, and genuine. And when the time came to create my first sample album, he expedited the turnaround time to ensure I had it for an important meeting with a coordinator. Ira went above and beyond to help me…and this means a lot because—at the time—I photographed only three weddings and didn’t know whether I’d be able to make this whole wedding photography thing work out! :)
Part of why I love Leather Craftsmen is because they care about me. Their attitude from the beginning has been the same and I’ve always felt welcomed. Yesterday, I had the awesome opportunity to have lunch with LC’s Vice President, Bobby. He’s visiting from New York, so we planned on meeting up at the LC Annual Pizza Party at Robert Evan’s studio…until I remembered I’d be at the Shootshop. He was kind enough to arrange lunch so we could catch up and we had such a lovely time. |
It’s the small things in life that matter most to me. A thank you card, a random email, the simple gesture of a lunch invitation. These make me proud to work along side a great company. I’m excited to see my new albums before the holiday rush and even more excited for my clients to have their first family heirloom!
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Okay. So here’s the deal.
It’s always nice to meet someone who inspires you. However, it’s even better when this person is nicer, funnier, and more magical than you’ve imagined him/her to be. Like exponentially cooler than what should be legal. It’s kinda hard not to be jealous of God dropping the funkalicious goodies basket on Nate and Jaclyn Kaiser…but it gets easier the more a person hangs out with them!
The Shootshop was better than what I thought it would be. To be honest, making such a large investment for a one-day seminar is scary because I’m never sure if it’ll be worth it. Yes, I know it sounds terribly saying this, but it’s true. I completely thought I was done attending workshops for the year…the proverbial pink piggy bank was empty…that’s what so many workshops will do to a girl. But when I read about the Kaiser’s workshop, my stomach fell and I knew Christmas came early.
As most blog readers will know, I’m never short on words. However, trying to sum up my experience with adjectives and metaphors won’t do it justice. Beyond all else, Nate and Jaclyn were 100% real. They didn’t hide behind smoke and mirrors, answered every question with extra detail, and kept things fun. They’re an amazing team, but they remain humble via honesty, humor, and self-deprecation…all the things that makes my heart feel all warm-n-fuzzy.
If you have an opportunity to attend this workshop, DO IT! Even if it means having a yard sale, selling an organ, or naming your first child Natelyn to fund the experience, DO IT! You’ll be inspired and rejuvenated a thousand times over.
Nate and Jaclyn, if you ever read this, thank you. These two words seem so small to express how I feel, but I hope they’ll suffice until I can think of something better. You are some of the most amazing people in the industry and I’m honored to have spent so much time with you. Thank you for giving of yourselves unconditionally and sincerely. With Love and Appreciation…J*
I snapped a few images of Nate and Jac in action...so I'll post a few here! :) |
| I think Nate was showing us his cool, suave-ish moves he pulls on Jaclyn late at night... |
| Jaclyn was SUCH A TROOPER!! She's just a few weeks from delivery, yet she was snapping away and helping Nate with anything he needed. The thing that stuck out most was Jaclyn's complete and apparent love for Nate. She laughed the loudest at his jokes, stayed one step ahead of what he needed, and offered whispered feedback to him throughout the day. They make such an awesome team!! |
| Everyone was amazed at how close Nate gets to his clients...he attributes his emotional images to his intimacy with his cliens |
| Jaclyn is in the background holding an off-camera flash |
| Nate. 100% real, fresh, and fun. |
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