t started yesterday in the kitchen. JD found soy hot dogs at Trader Joe's and vegetarian chili and offered to make me a chili dog. I haven't had one since I was 10 years old. I did a dance in the kitchen (a mix of the Running Man and pelvic thrusts and waving my arms in the air) as a way to show my excitement. JD asked me to stop because if this was my reaction every time he discovered a new meatless product, he'd be deterred from future purchases.
You want to know what I said? No? Well, I'm gonna tell you anyway: Only happy people dance...and happiness always trumps discomfort...specifically my happiness, and your discomfort...but don't tell your mom I said that. And then I continued dancing as the smell of grilling hot dogs from the outdoor grill filled the air.
This week's DISSES go to...
*People who tell you not to dance. Oh, Internet, dance like you won't be tagged on Facebook. (Do I get negative cool points for being cliche?!)
*My birthday. It's in three weeks. Feel free to send condolence cards.
*People who talk in third person. It's the strangest thing. Ever. Why would a person refer to herself by her own name? Jasmine loves to roller skate and Jasmine told you she dreamed of owning a silver boombox!
This week's KISSES go to...
*Smart Dogs veggie hot dogs. They're just as tasty as I remembered as a kid, just without pork getting in the way.
*The Running Man. In case you need a tutorial, you can find it here.
*Los Angeles. Every time I shoot in the city, I feel alive and fall deeper in love with urban grit. I'd kiss the ground in LA if I wasn't afraid of catching an incurable disease, but I'm happily content photographing love along the star-filled streets.
Happy Friday!
FAQ : Back Up Plans + Social Media
03.10.11
-
Y
ou know what? I haven't written a FAQ Post in a while since I've started the Shooting Star installments...I suppose I'm still trying to find a balance for what works best and what readers prefer (in case you're not sure, yes, I'm inferring your opinion matters, so holla back at your girl). I answered these questions from the Facebook discussion page, so if you have any questions, feel free to put them there and perhaps I'll answer them soon!
Enough chit chat and let me dive right in...
Ali asked:
This is an awful question, but what would happen if you were unable to shoot a wedding due to serious illness or a family emergency on the wedding day? Do you have a plan in place?
Yes. Absolutely. It's our job as professional photographers to have a backup plan in place. Thankfully, I've never had to resort to a backup plan, but if I did, it would be for JD to step up and shoot the wedding with a photographer who's style, aesthetic and experience mirrors ours. We're lucky to have a group of amazing peers who I can call on for help, but I can say this with confidence because if any of them were in a similar situation, I'd step in for their wedding and do the same.
Stefanie asked:
I would LOVE to hear more about how you inform couples regarding working with your husband? I know that JD is a huge part of your business, so does he come to consultations when you first meet a couple?
No, JD doesn't come to an initial consultation, nor does he join us at the engagement session. JD is my partner, but I want to ensure I've established a relationship with my clients on my own. The business is ours, but the brand is mine. I want to make sure clients understand they'll be working with me for 90% of the process, but I'll explain the role JD plays on the wedding day during our initial meeting or phone conversation.
Ryan asked:
How do you (specifically) separate your business and personal life in terms of social networking. You blog, you tweet, you facebook, etc. Where do you draw the line for what's public versus what is just for you and your family & friends?
This may be a long-winded answer, but I'll do my best to keep it succinct. I adhere to what I call the Man On The Airplane Rule. Basically, this means whatever I'd tell a random guy seated next to me on an airplane is what I put out on the web. Sure, I might be comfortable sharing aspects of my life (where I went on vacation, the protein bars I prefer, my mother's battle with cancer, etc) others might not be, but I definitely don't share intimate aspects of my life. My closest friends and family are attuned to the deepest layers of who I am and what I put on the web is the smallest fraction of my day.
Andrea asked:
I have been shooting weddings for the past 2 years and when I get online inquires, brides want to know everything about my packages only through email. I prefer to meet in person and go over my work and packages and let the client meet me not a virtual version. Do you mind sharing what you give out in an email vs. having a consultation?
Oh, I'm probably not the best person to ask this question! I book half my clients online, without meeting in person, as many of my clients are out-of-towners. I attribute this to creating an online brand and personalizing my web presence...so by the time the client is ready to book, she knows a lot about me (where I went on vacation, the protein bars I prefer, etc) because I intentionally share this information as a way to develop a level of trust in an online world. My clients' time is precious and I treat it as such. If a client requests information online, I'll happily oblige, send her everything she wants, and not request a meeting.
And because every post is better with a photo, here's a sneak peek of a shoot I'll be able to blog in a few weeks...
Building Your Wedding Photography Business
03.09.11
-
H
appy Wednesday! For years I couldn't spell Wednesday. Years. I wish I could blame my mother because I was homeschooled, but I still have a hard time spelling greatful grateful (which, coincidentally, the spelling of makes me think of cheese), so I'll accept the onus as entirely my own. For now, I'm thankful not writing Happy Wed (which is what I did through junior high to avoid spelling errors).
In other non-banal news, we're getting things fired up for the FREEcreativeLIVE course next month! Just like the last course, we're looking for a few amazing people to join us in Seattle to be a part of the in-class attendees. It's as easy as 1...2...3 (no, really, to apply it takes only three steps), so if you're interested, feel free to watch this video for more information:
To review, all you need to do is:
1. Create a 60 second video addressing the biggest challenge you face as you build your wedding photography business (and show your personality!).
2. Upload the video to YouTube or Vimeo.
3. Using Twitter, tweet us your video URL using @jasminestar, @creativelive and the hashtag #jasmineLIVE
I can't wait to see you online, but if you're interested in hanging out in person, I'd be honored to see your submission no later than Friday, March 18, 2011. The creativeLIVE team and I will be choosing the attendees and I hope to see you in Seattle next month!
Loving Love.
03.08.11
-
W
e sat on the rooftop under large table umbrellas. It rained and puddles formed like continents on the pewter tiles beneath our feet. It was just the two of us seated at a high table looking out over Brisbane covered in a dark cloak of gray. It was our tenth day together and we sat mostly in silence since we could read each others' minds by this point. Ten days traveling in a car the size of my sock will do that to a couple. It's like osmosis, but way more scientific and stuff.
About 30 minutes into our stay, a couple walked in and sat at the table behind us. She was petite, but her laugh was hearty. They ordered drinks and huddled under an umbrella. Perhaps it was the pewter tiles, or the umbrellas, or the fact she was seated just five feet from me, but I overheard her conversation. I didn't mean to, it just happened.
After a few minutes, JD realized I was fixated on the conversation. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I definitely know my affinity for reality television didn't help me out. I was dying to know his response. Whose response?! JD was shocked I knew so much about these strangers and gathered our stuff to leave before people realized his wife was certifiably crazy. She just told him she wanted to be more than friends...she likes him...and now I'm waiting for his response!
We left before I discovered what happened to this couple, but one thing is for certain: I love love. I even took a picture because I wanted to capture what the moment felt like. I adore the first moments of love when everything is new and limitless...and I equally adore when everything is constant and assured. Love is a magical thing and I feel lucky to be able to document it. I love what I do almost as much as I love love.
Happy Birthday, JD
03.07.11
-
D
ear JD...it's just past 6am, you're asleep and I'm nervous to give you the birthday gift I made. I wonder about your reaction because I'm not really the craftiest person. Remember that five-minute stint when I was all into knitting? That was a hot mess and we have yards of yarn in the closet. Still. For weeks I wondered what I could buy you, but your list of wants is invisible. I have everything I need. That's what you tell me.
Maybe I should knit you a scarf.
Today is your birthday and even though I know you hate it, you know I'll make a big deal. And probably shout when you wake up. Because I'm happy it marks another year of our lives spent together. Chasing our dreams, breaking the rules, and promising to live the life we've always dreamed.
People often ask how someone like you married someone like...well...like me. I have no idea, but as every year passes, I realize just how undeserving I am to have such a wonderful, giving, and patient man in my life. Thank you for being everything I wish I could be.
Happy Birthday, my love.
{Photo taken in Brisbane, Australia...in front of our rental car}
