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Roseann and Jerry : Wedding
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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S he waited on the balcony of her hotel room. She watched as the bridal party trickled into the lobby and delivered salutations perched from the large bay window. Roseann was slightly nervous to be marrying Jerry, but masked these emotions with laughter and smiles. She recounted hilarious stories of her life with the Los Angeles Police Department and the role Jerry played as the man who swept her off her feet while training in the Academy. Little did Roseann realize her career choice would forever change the direction of her life.
Jerry fell in love with Roseann’s beauty and infectious smile, and Roseann fell in love with Jerry’s cheeks. They were just so rosy and cute, I wanted to pinch them! Strangely enough, the desire to pinch him morphed into the desire to kiss him…which morphed into the desire to marry him.
Their wedding was held at Calamigos Equestrian Center and meticulously planned by Roseann…and nothing was left unnoticed with help from Tana, the onsite coordinator. Wedding day hair was beautifully done by Karina Vega and makeup fabulous applied by Aimee Jakes. All the florals were designed by Shirvan Designs, and the party was kept bumpin’ with help from DJ Bandoma (this guy was seriously AWESOME!). These uber fierce vendors made my day SO enjoyable and I loved working with them!
Rosie and Jerry…where do I begin? How can I express how much I love you guys without getting mushy and unprofessional? We’ve become friends throughout this process and I was privileged to document your wedding day. I didn’t feel like your photographer, I felt like an honorary member of your bridal party and—more importantly—a true friend. JD and I loved every minute of your wedding and couldn’t think more highly of your love and devotion for each other. Have fun in Thailand and don’t forget to kiss while eating pad thai! ;) Much Love and Appreciation…J*
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| Roseann's dress had something like 2,983 buttons down her back, so it took everyone in the room to make her look just beautiful! ;) |
| Roseann and Jerry opted for a First Look and I couldn't have been more happy! Because of their great decision, we had A LOT of time for pictures at their hotel as well as at their venue. Here's Roseann's reaction to seeing her husband-to-be... |
| Before leaving the hotel, we went to the rooftop and found this awesome lounge area by the pool...LOVED it! :) |
| The light was just beautiful on Saturday at the Calamigos Equestrian Center, so we had more fun shooting more wedding photos around the lush grounds... |
| I wish I could take credit for this shot, but JD worked his magic and caught the girls hanging out before the ceremony... |
| Reaction during the toasts... |
| To see more of their wedding, CLICK HERE for a slideshow! |
    
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Threading the Branding Needle
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Darn IT!
JD asked what was wrong from the next room and I muttered something about sewing. Obviously bewildered—the last time I sewed anything was in the fourth grade when I was all into cross-stitch—he asked what I meant. I explained I was trying to fasten a button on my jacket and can’t thread the darn needle! I couldn’t tell if he was more impressed with the fact that I was even trying, or the mere idea we actually owned a sewing kit.
Either way, he offered his help and that’s all I wanted to hear. You know, just because I’m like that.
Whether I actually need help is beside the point. I just want him to offer.
And if you think this is bad, magnify this notion for the PAST THREE MONTHS! I’m currently undergoing a rebranding process and it’s been quite a journey. I’ve never really been one for change (I mean, I order the SAME thing to eat every time I go to a restaurant and have used the same brand of peanut butter for eons!), but my brand needs a facelift. I’m not the same cursive ‘J*’ I was a year and half ago and I want a logo and brand that represents the photographer and girl I am today.
Which means I’ve been asking for help from JD. I’m getting a new logo and website, so the process has been exciting, scary, frustrating, and joyful. I’ve experience a whole gamut of emotions, but—more than anything—I’m excited for everything to debut in the next couple of months!
And whether I actually need help is beside the point. I just want JD to offer to sit next to me while I choose pictures for my website and give logo feedback when asked. He’s just as much a part of this rebranding as I am and I crave his support.
Because—in the end—he’s always willing to thread my needle and encourage me as I enter the unknown.
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Jose Villa Wedding Workshop
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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O n Sunday I received a really good birthday gift. Jose Villa emailed and informed me he had one spot open for his workshop in Santa Barbara. Yesterday, I woke up in the darkness of morning and make the three and a half hour drive to Sovang, California to—finally—meet a photographer I’ve admired from a distance. Words can’t describe how insanely talented, Jose Villa is with his camera. His imagery is beautiful, breathtaking, and unique, making him one of the most sought after wedding photographers in America.
And I sat in his seminar brimming with excitement.
The day was awesome it was great being able to meet him, along with 20 other amazing photographers. I love going to seminars because it helps refine my craft and yesterday’s seminar was no exception. I didn’t shoot too much, instead opting to spend photo time asking Jose every question that came to mind (yes, I even encouraged him to blog more!), and he graciously answered them all. Yup. He’s pretty much one of the coolest guys around.
Here are a few images I snagged while floating around…
The ever gorgeous Lacie wearing a Jenny Lee wedding dress...
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| This is gorgeous Shelbie wearing a killer, vintage inspired Melissa Sweet wedding dress... |
I now know what makes all those crazy talented Santa Barbara wedding photographers so good: The SUN!
The light was insane...soft, gentle, and kissable. I LOVED it! |
**EDITED TO ADD**
Thanks to Rowena Curtis for sending this image of me in action! ;) |
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Finally...TODAY'S My Birthday!
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Okay, so I know there are more than a few of you who are sick Birthday Week, so rest assured...today marks the pinnacle of my celebration because...
TODAY'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!
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I updated my last post with details of more Birthday Week celebrations, but today will be low-key. My twin sister and I are going to hang out with our family and enjoy the beautiful weather. I'll be posting pictures later, but until then, I just want to say THANK YOU to all of you wonderful people who've left birthday comments and fired up my Facebook Wall. Holllla! You sure know how to make a girl feel special!!
xoxo...
**EDITED TO ADD**
Here are a few pictures from our special day...
In the morning, my family went to Rock Harbor for a great church service. While we were there, we ran into my good photographer friend and pastor, Dane Sanders |
| The Saddest Story: I closed my eyes to make my birthday wish... |
...and ALL OF A SUDDEN, the air-conditioner in the restaurant turns on full blast, and BLOWS OUT MY CANDLE?!
Seriously?! :) |
| This is my FABULOUS family. My dad is in Israel right now (I miss you dad!), so he wasn't able to make it, but here's the rest of the people who are the backbone of my life... |
| ...can anyone guess what JD bought me for my birthday?...i'm wearing it... |
T here’s a scene in Alice in Wonderland where the Mad Hatter and Friends host an Un-Birthday. They run around, pour tea, and create a little havoc.
Well, happy Un-Birthday to me.
Please forgive me as I’m not in the best of moods. I spent most of yesterday in a dentist chair, only to hear, I’m sorry, Jasmine, you’re going to have to go to a specialist to get this root canal addressed.
Hold up…whaaaat? When did I get a root canal? I set up an appointment to get a filling replaced. And now I have to sit in more pain for an emergency root canal?! Of course I didn’t ask any of these questions because my dentist used enough anesthesia to numb an elephant, so talking was reduced to groans and grunts. Where was that darn Mad Hatter when I needed a spot of tea?!
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I’m off for my emergency root canal and I’m beyond dreading my day. JD has a surprise for this evening, so I hope I’m feeling well enough to go. Say a prayer for me because I—seriously—could use all I can get! I’m so scared! :(
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**EDITED TO ADD**
Apparently my root is just like me: stubborn, strong, and a fighter. However, my endodontist--the lovely and sweet warrior that she was--fought back with nine shots of anesthesia and won after two hours. Once the procedure was complete, she rubbed my cheek softly and softly said, You may feel like you got punched in the face tomorrow... At that point, she could of told me I was breathing my last breaths and I would have been fine...she was just THAT nice. Or I was just THAT numb.
Either way, I left my appointment feeling like I conquered the world. Until the meds wore off.
JD walked in yesterday after work and I immediately planted my face in the carpet and cried. I was a mess. I hadn't eaten all day, my mouth was throbbing, and It just doesn't feel like my birthday! I was acting like a Category 4 Brat. If there were sirens, they'd be blaring.
Thankfully, JD stepped right over my prostrate body, picked out a dress for me to wear and said he made dinner plans. We went to La Fondue and celebrated one of the best nights ever!! The food was divine and JD has a few surprises up his sleeve that left me completely bratless for the remainder of the night. I LOVED it!
I'm so thankful for JD...and for Birthday Week...and cheese fondue...and chocolate fondue...and if anyone brings up me eating chocolate after a root canal, I will crawl through the internet and pinch you!! ;)
I forgot my camera at home, but our server was kind enough to take this photo on JD's iPhone...
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2013
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