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I t's been a long week. Like really, really long. Like world-record-breaking-defy-gravity-didn't-know-they-made-them-in-THAT-size long. But it's Friday and I'm thankful. Last night, before I fell asleep, I rested in bed and made a mental checklist of everything for which I was appreciative. Before long, I dozed off in a state of thankful bliss for non-fat frozen yogurt, my mom's health, mango sugar body bath scrub, JD, two-ply toilet paper...
I snapped this picture of JD and Polo wearing his Snuggie and I'm extra thankful for this moment... |
| And, yes, I just said Snuggie. Oh, Internet, my dog wears a Snuggie. Don't hate. With many thanks to Jessica Claire and Jeff Norwood for his new accoutrement, Polo is now the nerdiest dog on the block. |
    
I usually use the month of January to reassess things in my business. My mistakes, areas for growth, ways to improve. I'll be the first to admit I get quite hard on myself, but self-deprecation motivates me. Hey, Thunder Thighs, run the extra mile for the cup of cereal you ate last night, is a fully acceptable form of motivation. While talking myself down is easy, finding ways to move forward, fix, and amend my past is so much harder. Especially because I'm easily distracted.
Oooh, something sparkly!
One of the first changes in 2010 is redesigning a few elements of my website. I've been inspired by the following photographers and I know it's time to shake things up because they're doing a fabulous job at being completely unique and designed a website reflected of their individuality.
All of the following websites were created using Showit and I'm blown away at how each website is completely their own...
Promise Tangeman
This is site is so sick. It's like walking into Urban Outfitters. Only better. Promise is a photographer, but she definitely doesn't put herself in that box. She's an artist. She creates things. And her site shows off her best. |
The Shot Shot
Want to see a site that takes portraiture to a new, hip, and slick heights? Check out The Shot Shot. This site showcases the buzz around their work, the perks, the hype...as well as feature some pretty awesome photos to boot!
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Christianne Taylor
I met Christieanne a few months ago and she's taking the fashion photo world and making it her own. Her eye, portfolio, and determination have set her apart from the beginning. Christieanne styles her own shoots, often makes the clothing, and works with model agencies in Los Angeles to create her work. Her site is truly reflective of her growing voice. |
Kara Layne
I was immediately struck with the simplicity and ease of Kara's site. It does a great job taking passive viewers and engaging them in a way that brings them into her sphere. Her bio was sincere and can make a complete stranger (like myself) want to reach out and invite her for coffee. Or Sprinkles Cupcakes!
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| I'm looking forward to revamping my site with Showit and starting off 2010 in a way that makes me hungry to further define who I am on the web. I encourage you to do the same... |
H e hates that we do it, yet he comes back from every wedding anxious to see the results of the thing we do at weddings. Take pictures. Of the wedding, but once in a while--in the tic of nanosecond--we take heinous pictures of each other. JD and I try to capture the worst picture of each other while we shoot. It's a game we play. We're the first to admit the absurdity of it all, but just roll your eyes and ignore us. We thrill easily.
The 2009 wedding season treated us extraordinarily well and we know 2010 is well on its way for a repeat. Here's a few photos of us in action and behind the scenes last year. And, yes, we know we're so incredibly and unfathomably cool. How we've remained this cool boggles my mind. Every day.
JD calls me Little Shrimp...now I know why... |
| JD loves being the center of attention.... |
| Hey, look, I wanna be a bridesmaid too! |
| JD takes his dress carrying abilities quite seriously... |
| I laugh too much. I know I do, but I can't help it. |
| Making sure my stylizing abilities are still sharp... |
| This is the face of a girl who can carry all the bags on one arm. Usually JD carries everything but as we darted out of the church, I wanted to show how cool I was. Look, Ma, one hand! |
| This is the face of a girl who's about the steal a glass of champagne... |
| Again, I laugh. Too much. I know this. |
| Look at my little bout specialist! |
| I'm short, I know this. But these guys were TALL. I needed a little help. Don't hate. |
| Look at me acting all gangsta... |
| Again, no one holds a dress better than my man! |
| Thought we had a Manolo emergency, but it was okay. Don't worry folks, I'm a professional. |
| Sometimes I wonder if clients laugh with me, or at me... |
| Honest, guys, I'm funny... |
| JD knows that if he can straighten the bow perfectly we make out at the end of the night. Too much information? Next time you're wearing a bow and JD offers to fix it, YOU'LL KNOW WHY. |
| Making sure my bride has a glass of champagne comes second nature to me. I used to be a waitress. |
| Look at JD's ninja skills! |
| Thanks to Lyra for capturing me in action while I make a slideshow at a wedding... |
| This is proof. Proof he loves me. Proof he can deal with me on wedding days. Proof that JD has come such a long way in supporting my dreams. He's the backbone to this business and a partner I could never do without. |
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Featured : The Knot Magazine : Alicia + Steven
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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I first met her via email. A sweet girl who loved photography, and her boyfriend. But not in that order. Alicia emailed me and said she wanted to pursue photography and follow her dreams. About a year later, she emailed again, but this time as a prospective client. Alicia and her amazing boyfriend, Steven, planned to tie the knot and asked me to document their day. I was totally blown away and honored.
The first time we met in person, Alicia brought me a dozen Sprinkles cupcakes. And--just like that--I knew she was going to be a perfect J* Bride! ;) I've been honored to see her love for Steven blossom, her business blossom, and our friendship blossom. Alicia and Steven planned a perfect wedding, so when I received the news it was chosen as a featured wedding in the national issue of The Knot Magazine, I was ecstatic. All their hard work definitely paid off and I'm honored to see their Villa Del Sol D'Oro wedding photos in print.
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| I was particularly excited to see Alicia and Steve's wedding in this issue of the The Knot because it's the Fashion Issue. Holllllla! |
| And here's a picture of me and Alicia at her wedding...for being professional Photoboothers, we really missed the mark. I personally think we look lost and like we've NEVER SEEN A PHOTOBOOTH BEFORE. What's that? Flash?! How unique! |
P erhaps I was avoiding this last post. Because that would make things official. Officially over. I'd officially be home from vacation, home from Australia, and home from two fabulous workshops we hosted in Sydney. The photographers I met blew me away and their collective talent, passion, and joy were amazing, so naturally I wanted the warm and fuzzy feelings to linger a bit longer. I truly love teaching and the connections I make with every students makes me feel so lucky.
As I referenced in this post, The Workshop was hosted at The Cruise Bar in Sydney (how I loved it here!), and the day brought so many fabulous elements and connections. It was the first time I've ever hosted back-to-back workshops and the second group BROUGHT IT. They came ready to work, listen, and rock things out. Totally inspiring and made me pick up my game because they're weren't messing around! :)
A verrrry special Thank You must go to...
*Catherine Coloubriale for her amazing wedding gowns, and her unique ability to be overwhelmingly fabulous. Loved her!
*Daisy Chain Florist for creating beautiful floral arrangements and sharing your talent so freely!
*Lyndal Quinn-Tuccarone for a lovely job with hair and makeup, and being a woman of many talents!
*Cathy Crawley for helping orchestrate the day!
*Kara Tranner for being an amazing model and being overly kind and flexible!
*Karim and Alana for being truly fabbbulous...they're a gorgeous couple who took a break from their doctoral studies (they're smart AND hot) and flew from Adelaide for The Workshop...I'm so thankful!
The day started with an instruction of using natural reflectors and a typical bridal portrait... |
| ...then I broke the group in half and started having some fun with Karim and Alana across the street... |
| We photographed in The Rocks area of Sydney and though we stayed under the radar, the port authority stopped JD and asked the group the move. While JD talked to the security to buy us more time, I snuck the group off to the side and quickly shot a session in open shade since it was very bright out...gotta love security... |
| Alana, you're too beautiful... |
| Kara...you're simply divine...really, you are. |
| And here's my favorite photo of the day... |
| To my new Aussie friends, thank you. Thank you for being so incredibly awesome and making me realize just how lucky I am to follow my dreams...and have your support. Your stories, encouragement, and passion revived me and just proves the insane amount of talent that resides in your beautiful country. I can't wait to see what the future holds for you and I know you'll all change the industry on photo at a time. Much Love and Appreciation.... j* |
2013
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