o a strange thing happened a couple weeks ago...and I hope it'd go away, but no such luck. Late one evening, JD flipped through television channels and happened upon a reality show called Swamp People. Basically, it chronicles the lives and trials of alligator hunters, missing teeth and all. And lemme tell you something: it's awesome. In a unique kinda of way.
I'm a huge fan of all things reality television (just writing this makes me wanna rub my head against my college diploma to ensure I'm not that stupid), but this new show takes things to a whole new level. I guess..it's just...I never knew people lived like that. I'm truly a city girl. When JD offered to change the channel, I covered the remote with my right hand. Jay Paul was teaching me the merits of shake-n-bake bait.
Yes, I just wrote that. WHERE'S MY DIPLOMA?!
In other news, thanks for the feedback regarding the Shooting Star and FAQ Posts...I've decided to alternate between video and written word for a nice balance. And I hate making decisions so this seemed very Paul Abdul-ish of me.
This week's installment of Shooting Star will cover:
*My approach to social media.
*How I balance using social media and work.
*When I use social media.
*My Top Five Tips for social media. I love the number five.
I'll be talking about Branding and Social Media in Akron, Ohio next week, so if you'd like to join me, I'd love to see you there!
he was sending emails at 3 a.m. the morning of her wedding. Jami was busy planning her life, happily tying up loose ends, and waiting for Joel to wake up in the hotel room a few flights away. After all, she'd been waiting to be his wife since high school, so who needed sleep on such a perfect day? As the sun rose over the Laguna Beach horizon, Jami and Joel knew the day would bring more than they could have anticipated. More joy, more happiness, more love.
Surrounded by their closest friends and family, Jami and Joel created a wedding at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach that reflected their relationship in the truest form. In all their years together, their love grew, changed, and morphed as life twisted and turned, but through it all, they remained each other's constant. In the midst of anything, they had everything. They committed their vows and promised to always give more. More joy, more happiness, more love.
Jami and Joel...I can't begin to thank you for simply being you. From the beginning, we felt like friends, almost like we were destined to meet and share our stories. Your wedding was perfect and there were times when I wanted to reach out and squeeze you for making me fall more in love with what I do. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your love story...it's an honor I cherish. I hope you enjoy the Maldives and make more memories...together. Much Love and Appreciation... j*
The wedding day started at Montage Laguna Beach and despite a week of rain, the skies parted to reveal a glorious sunny day. Not to be outdone by the blue skies, Jami wore a beautiful Pronovias wedding dress leaving everyone breathless...
Many thanks to Carina of Flawless Faces for hair and makeup...love her...
Gorge...gorge...gorge. Seriously, Jami?! Gorgeous. That is all.
A small story... When I first met Jami, she informed me she came across a post I wrote about First Looks and seeing the groom before the ceremony. At first skeptical, she read more then asked Joel to read it. Somewhere along the line, Jami decided to set up a meeting and later book me for their wedding, opting for the First Look. Judging by Joel's reaction, I think it was a good choice...
...I think Jami was just as excited to see his reaction...photo by JD
The weather was beautiful in Laguna Beach, so we took some time for wedding pictures at Montage Resort before heading to Seven Degrees for the ceremony...
We arrived at Seven Degrees with plenty of time for wedding photos, including the bridal party pictures and family formals. I offered my assistance to create the wedding timeline and Jami let me create an ideal day to hang out with the guys...
...and hang out with an amazing group of ladies...
I've photographed weddings at Seven Degrees before, so I challenged myself to try to shoot differently and new angles...Jami and Joel were amazing and let me experiment a bit...although to be fair I don't think they minded all the kissing...
Rawr.
The sun was rapidly setting behind the Laguna Beach canyon, but the ceremony was timed perfectly and was a beautiful reflection of their love...
Many thanks to Alyssa from Seven Degrees for planning such a flawless day and creating the floral arrangements...
The First Dance...
To see more of Jami and Joel's Seven Degrees wedding, feel free to check out their slideshow with music found at WithEtiquette...
creativeLive : Course Attendees Announced
03.22.11
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he past few days have been spent compiling lists, sending them for feedback, comparing lists, comparing notes, and then pulling my hair out. For those of you who don't know I'm notoriously non-commital. Like, I reign supreme in the land of Let's-Touch-Base-Next-Week-Or-I'll-Email-You-Or-Send-Smoke-Signals-If-I-Want-You-To-Call. I hate planning things far in advance because chances are I'll want to stay home and wash my hair. Or something like that. Making decisions isn't my forte, so when the crew at creativeLIVE and I joined forces to choose the in-class attendees for the next online course (April 8-9, 2011), I wanted to hide.
To those who submitted videos, THANK YOU. I appreciate your time and efforts with all my heart. There were so many great submissions and I want to invite everyone...no, really, I do. I vote we plan a party and invoice Chase Jarvis for the bubbly.
The creativeLIVE team contacted the winners yesterday, but I'm following up today as a way to introduce the amazing photographers who'll join me throughout the course.
Like always, it'll be an honor to see you online for this FREE course, so don't forget to register here. Happy Tuesday!
Parker Palm Springs Engagement : Jenny+Jeff
03.21.11
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e was kinda like a science nerd. That's how Jenny fondly describes Jeff, but he he eagerly jumps in to correct her memory. You mean science athlete, right? Right? Jenny smiles and shakes her head, but Jeff reminds her of his smooth moves when they went skiing together in Mammoth. You see...skiing is athletic...I was a SCIENCE ATHLETE.
They were friends of friends who hung out in college, large groups of students who went out for dinner, planned epic nights on the town, and--like Jeff and Jenny--studied for their science classes together. Jeff promises it was his dashing good looks and his way with the ladies that made Jenny fall for him, but she simply laughs and her brown eyes dance at his selective memory. Be it his purported nerdiness, athleticism, or attentive care, Jenny found a friend in Jeff, so when things turned into more that fateful night in Mammoth after a long day on the slopes, she was smitten.
Their relationship spans ten years and they're planning a Santa Barbara wedding to reflect their perfect love. Jeff proposed to Jenny at The Parker Palm Springs, so what better place for their engagement photos? I'm incredibly excited to be a part of their love story and their wedding next June...
We started the session in the lobby of the Parker because the sun was shining quite brightly in Palm Springs...and, okay, it was hot!
It was the first time I met Jenny and Jeff (they booked online from a referral from my friend Sue Jean...love you, SJ!), but it was clear from the start of the engagement session, they were comfortable in front of the camera...and with each other...
We ventured around the gorgeous property once the sun started to set behind the hills of Palm Springs...
We found an empty room with a chair...if you've been following the blog for a while, you know how much I loooooove random chairs...
After a quick outfit change, we were off for more engagement photos around The Parker...
Jeff is a chess player and joked that Jenny has his heart in check mate.
We ended the session on the exact hammock where Jeff proposed to Jenny because life is all about coming full circle...
From: Jane P. Chung
Subject: "Are you happy?"
Date: March 11, 2011
To: Jasmine Star
I don't know if you remember, but the last time we worked together at Pelican Hill, you stared me straight in the eye and asked me if I was happy. Ever since you asked me that - and I don't get asked that often - I've been asking myself that daily. Not because I'm not happy, but just because it remains with me as such a profound gut check.
X put me in contact with Y at Flower Company and I'm going to be starting as her assistant in April. It all happened so fast in the span of a few days but when Y actually offered me the job, instead of jumping for joy for the gig of my dreams at the moment, I found myself completely paralyzed with fear. Fear of change, fear of the lost of security, fear of failure - big fat Fear with a capital F. (And frankly, the fear of the drive from Los Angeles to Newport Beach daily. :)) It occurred to me that as I stood on the cusp of a cliff I've been wanting and waiting for, I suddenly wasn't sure I wanted to jump at all. It boggled my mind. Then I thought of you, your story, and your advice to be true to yourself and to speak your hopes and dreams aloud. I realized I'm so blessed to even have this opportunity come at a time when I could make the career change but most importantly, that there is a great possibility that I'd be able to answer a resounding YES if ever asked again about my happiness.
here's to endless optimism for your dream home on the beach...
Jane
From: Jasmine Star
Subject: RE: "Are you happy?"
Date: March 12, 2011
To: Jane P. Chung
you. oh, you.
YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i'm so, so darn proud of you! this is it! this is what we've been waiting for. yes, i made it plural because i am so sure of you.
and, i hate to break it to you, failure is going to come. without a doubt. but failure comes in whatever path you choose in life and, really, it's how you deal with failure that makes you a success. and happy. trust me...i speak from experience.
and--oh emm gee--that commute is going to suck. horribly. but if you love what you do, then it doesn't matter. and maybe you can work east coast hours and avoid the madness on the freeways. or whatever.
yes, you are blessed. know this. embrace this. cherish this.
at the end of the day, it's better to have tried and failed, than to have lived your life in a constant state of what-if. get those hands covered in pollen, girl...THIS. IS. IT!!!!!!!!!!!
lah-lah-love you,
j*
