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Y esterday was a great day. Not because I got to visit Canada for the first time in my life, not because JD and I found this amazing Japanese restaurant where they spoke verrry little English, and not because I convinced JD to buy me a jacket from Lululemon because I left mine at home. Actually, those moments made the day special, but what made the day great was the chance to meet an amazing group of photographers in Vancouver.
I spoke at ImageQuest Conference at the River Rock Hotel and being surrounded by such an amazing group of photographers rocked my world. I was incredibly welcomed and I felt like an honorary Canadian. I even tried ending my sentences with eh?, but I was quickly informed that it made me sound like a tourist. Pffft.
JD snapped a few photos of the event, but I was emailed today by Mikaela and she blogged a few photos, so I decided to just borrow hers because, well, if I was being honest, I'm just too tired to edit my own! ;) |
| Mikaela grabbed this quick photo of me and JD and I really, really love it. Or maybe I just love him. Anyway...it's here...so deal with it! ;) |
| I decided to sit at the end of the presentation for Q+A...it was a four-hour presentation, and my heels were not cooperating with me.... |
To the many amazing photographers who showed up...thank you. I know you heard many different perspectives and opinions during the three-day conference, but I appreciate your willingness to be open. And to share. And laugh. I'm so excited to make my way back to Vancouver soon and when I do, I can't wait to hang out again! :)
Happy Wednesday! |
    
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San Juan Capistrano Engagement : Keren + Pieter
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S he called him Frenchie, after discovering he was born in France. Unsure if he even liked the nickname, that's what she called him. It was either that or Cute Boy on Crutches, and since that was too long, she opted for the former. Keren first saw Pieter in college at USC. He stood out from a group of fraternity brothers in black suits because he was in jeans, hobbling on crutches. Pieter attended college in Santa Clara, but visited a pinning fraternity ceremony in Los Angeles, where Keren and her sorority sisters watched from a distance. Keren and Pieter spent the entire evening chatting and laughing, deepening a new friendship.
As weeks past, they remained friends of friends--Keren was most notably heard to say to Pieter's friends, Say hi to Frenchie for me!--but after a few months, they became real friends. And then something changed on a trip to Lake Tahoe with a group of college buddies. Frenchie became Pieter, a boy who stole Keren's heart and sealed the transaction with a kiss. They dated long distance for four years--graduating, living in different cities, Keren going to law school--but their love grew over increasing phone bills and being A-List members of Southwest Airlines. While Keren studied for what could be the most stressful test in her life--the Bar Exam--Pieter surprised her one day while she studied in the library. Armed with her mother's favorite recipes, Pieter spent the day in the kitchen preparing a celebratory meal. Because, really, Keren was bound to pass the Bar and he was just ready to celebrate early.
But that's Keren and Pieter. Two amazing people whose lives have intersected perfectly and they're planning to spend the rest of it, side by side. Forever. They're planning a fabulous wedding--with the help of Courtney Toney--this September at Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel and I'm thrilled to document their journey. I shot their engagement session in San Juan Captistrano and we had a blast...this was literally the first frame out of the camera and it captures them perfectly... |
| Pieter is one of the nicest guys I've ever met...and Keren has a unique way of bringing out his best qualities... |
| Keren, you're so fierce you made a jacked up fence look fab! ;) |
| The sun was particularly fabulous in San Juan Capistrano last week and I'm extra thankful... |
| I love when couples bring along items that define who they are, so when Keren and Pieter brought along stacks of books, maps, a quilt, and globe, it was as if I was given a sneak peek into their lives and I loved it! Brilliant world travelers...who love being in love... |
| Pieter, while Keren chatted with me a bit ago, she mentioned your favorite piece of legal jargon is Promissory Estoppel. I will scream this phrase at your wedding if you're willing to look this handsome. All day. Deal? |
| The week's earlier rain brought about random patches of fields and the sunset gave about a truly beautiful glow. Add a dash of Keren, and it's a recipe for fabulousness... |
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The Permission to Feel Beautiful
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S ometimes people need permission. As adults, it's a hard concept to grasp because we'd like to believe we're past the point of someone ever granting us permission to do something. I mean, some of the greatest things about being adult is eating dessert before dinner and jumping on the hotel bed! Sorry, Mom, I'm sad to say all those years of telling me NO hasn't done a thing for my maturity.
In more practical terms, I believe people sometimes need the permission to be honest, even when it hurts. Permission to be real, even if it's awkward. And--more relatable for girls--the permission to feel beautiful. It's a funny thing for me to even write, but I've been thinking about this for months now and I'm fully convinced of this notion. Yes, there are the rare species of females who are okay in their own skin (namely, the seven-foot, spandex-wearing blond with blue eyes, who sits in the front row of my spin class), but for the most of us it's not that easy. Especially when it has to happen in front of a camera.
When I shoot my clients, I take a few seconds to let them know that in that moment, between us, it's totally okay to feel beautiful. I'm not behind my camera thinking to myself, What is she doing?! In fact, it's quite the opposite. My insides beg for a girl to blossom confidently in front of my camera, so when she gets back in her car with her fiance, she feels radiant and loved. When that happens, I've done my job. |
| If you're a photographer, I want to encourage you to remind your clients they have the permission to feel beautiful. But don't say it like that. I give you the permission to feel beautiful. That's plain weird. But you get the idea. Remind your clients it's okay for them to let their guard down and commit to getting the type of pictures they've always wanted. It really does go a long way. |
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Red Rock Engagement : Katelyn + Michael
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T wo families in Virginia, each with a respectable flock of children, befriended each other many years ago, and when their systems collided, they didn't know they'd remain in each other's orbit, well, forever. One of the James' children was Katelyn, complete with fiery red hair and a magnetic smile, and she'd watch from a distance when Michael--the Alsop's son--came over to play with her brother Corey. Both families went on vacation together, went to church together, and shared meals together on long summer nights. When Michael entered high school, Katelyn spent two more years in junior high watching him from a distance. By the time she arrived in high school, their orbits went back to being in perfect alignment.
During Katelyn's freshman year, she'd see Michael and smile. Oh, Michael. She thought the only thing that would have made life perfect was if Michael Alsop asked her to prom, but he was a junior and well-liked and handsome. Focus, Katelyn, focus. But Michael noticed her, especially after a few of his friends wanted to ask her out. He couldn't synthesize his feelings for Katelyn James, the girl he went swimming with as a kid and joked with in junior high. The little girl with fiery red hair grew and a magnetic smile up to be a gorgeous girl with fiery red hair and a magnetic smile. But she was different. And he really liked different.
Michael and Katelyn went on their first date their freshman year of high school and have been together since. By each other's sides, keeping James and the Alsop families doing what they do best: laughing, loving, and planning a fantastic wedding in their Virginia hometown. I had the distinct honor of shooting their engagement session at Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas last week. Katelyn is a photographer, so she was in Las Vegas with Michael for WPPI, so things worked perfectly for us. I'm so, so honored to document their wedding on 10.10.10! |
| What I should mention before this post proceeds is that Michael and Katelyn deserve SO much credit!! We spent the afternoon outrunning a vicious storm and it was freezing...even by Virginia standards! ;) |
| Katelyn, you make me smile... |
| It started to pour, so we hung out in their rental car for a while and chatted until the weather got to a sprinkle...here they are working it out in the wet weather... |
| So then a strange thing happened...it started to SNOW. The only thing was I didn't know it was snow because I'd never seen snow fall from the sky. Ever. We're shooting and we're all freezing when Michael says, Hey, Jasmine, it's snowing!! Just like that, matter-of-factly. And I'm all, RUN TO THE CAR!!!! What can I say, I'm dramatic. We got in the car and drove to Red Rock Canyon for some more pictures and thankfully the snow/rain held off for a bit more. |
| After a quick change in the car, we shot more engagement pictures in the desert and it was such a cool experience for me because I've never done it before. Leave it to another photographer to bring such a challenge! ;) |
| Katelyn and Michael, you're the best. I completely adore you and can't WAIT for your wedding this October...bring it on!! :) |
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Utterly Engaged : New Year's Party
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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A couple months ago, I had the distinct pleasure of working with the ladies of Utterly Engaged. For those of who are unfamiliar, Utterly Engaged is an online magazine for the budget-saavy {yet completely stylish} bride. This e-zine provides tons of information for brides and I am enamored with the entire philosophy...and the ladies behind the scenes.
Utterly Engaged hosted a New Year's Party in January and they asked if I'd shoot the event, namely because there was a competition involved. With details. And time you want to mix competition with wedding details, I might just die with excitement. I love it! The e-zine was recently published and my work was featured, so if you want to check it out, feel free to CLICK HERE and HERE:
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Many thanks to Lucia, Eva and Henny, thank you for allowing me the pleasure to work alongside you for this event...and much appreciation to all the amazing vendors who participated in this event...your talent amazed me! (**Sidenote: A gallery of your high res images was created, so contact Lucia if you haven't received the downloading info**)
Happy Thursday! |
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