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Cleanliness, Carpets, and Craftsmen
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I t’s like JD wrapped my mind in saran wrap, tied a big, red bow around it and handed it to me this morning when he said he scheduled a carpet cleaning for today. I seriously tackled him in delight. Cleanliness is such a THING for me that when my soul mate surprises me with a deluxe package, I’m like Dude, I’m seriously gonna bear you a kid for this!
I walked Polo as the cleaners worked their magic. Out of nowhere, the seemingly blue skies changed to dark grey and we were caught in a rainstorm. Wearing flip-flops, without an umbrella, in a tank top. Totally awesome.
When we returned home, Polo shook himself dry on the clean carpet. Totally Awesome. Again. If he didn’t look at me in a way that was all, Whhhhat? You would’ve done it to, I would’ve clobbered him.
The best news is that I came home to a nice treat from my album company, Leather Craftsmen, which made the day so bright! Whenever I receive new albums for clients, I squeal with excitement because it’s like the cherry on top of a 68-tiered wedding cake. Well, you know, if wedding cakes HAD cherries. With many thanks to Amy at Albumesque, the designs are clean and classic, and I SO stoked for my clients to receive them.
The furniture is still removed from our living room, so Polo and I are sprawled next to each other. He, with his squeaky frog toy, and me with my laptop. The sound of rain is soothing and my pot of vegetable soup is calling me. Life is sweet on a clean, white carpet.
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| This is a 12x12 Black 3500 Album |
| The awesome Jane decided to use a layout directly from my blog for this spread...which happens to be my favorite of the album! |
| Here's Mark and Tiffany's Album, which is an 11x14 Black 3500 |
    
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The Beauty of the Delete Key
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I have been told I talk too much. Pfft! Maybe I don’t talk too much…maybe other people just don’t talk enough. Okay, okay, so maybe I can get a little carried away (JD’s commonly refers to my banal diatribes as monologues because of my dramatic pauses and interpretations), but I think I should be given a little leeway because…well…I don’t have a good enough reason for my monologues, but I’ve been known a few times to say something interesting. Oh, those forlorn moments of pseudo intelligence…
The good thing about my blog is the delay between my mind and the Publish button. In life, there’s no delete key. There have been times when I wonder if I’ll regret my blog posts, but for now, they serve as a constant reminder of who I was, who I am.
Back in February 2006, I blogged about my experience working with superstar wedding photographer, Mike Colon, for his first seminar. I had a blast and met so many people who’ve changed my life and career. I’m forever in indebted to Mike for his kindness, love, and support when I was starting my business. He was someone I looked up to and he never let me down. Mike opened my eyes to the limitless opportunities this industry holds for photographers and expedited my company growth by encouraging me to take risks. I truly love him!
Last night, as like often works, Mike and his beautiful wife, Julie, invited JD and me over for dinner. When we walked into his home, Mike stood at his stove making chimichangas, his second claim to fame. My mind immediately darted back to 2006 and felt a wave of thankfulness rush over me. The first time I helped Mike make chimichangas, I was a girl who didn’t own more than one camera lens, didn’t have business cards, and knew nothing about shooting manually. Such a short time later, I am blessed to still be enjoying homemade chimichangas, but have bourgeoning business…and business cards! ;)
Mike’s son, Aidan, couldn’t get enough of my point&shoot camera, so here are a few of his masterpieces…if you ask me, he’s going to take after his daddy!
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| The mini photo genius and me |
| Julie, Logan(berry), and Mike |
In other news, this month has been one CRAZY writing month for me! I’m blessed to have contributed to four amazing photography sources, so if you’d like to check the articles out, be sure to click on the links below!
*The Birth of a Blog - Photographik
*Using Natural Reflectors for Light - Pro Photo Resource
*Q&A - Studio MSV
*Photographer Profile - Blog on Photoblogs
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Mallory and James : Wedding
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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T hey met in high school. On the blacktop surface of their church’s basketball court, Mallory and James' hearts made a connection and the spark of love grew stronger over time. James—in his rickety, old truck—impressed Mallory in such a way that when asked by friends whether she knew he was going to be her future husband, Mallory’s answer was always a confident Yes!
Many years later, after nursing school and long-commutes from Canyon Country to Azusa Pacific University, James took Mallory back to the same blacktop surface basketball court. When they arrived, flowers led the path to a wildflower gazebo and candles illuminated the homemade pathway. Not too far from the basketball rim, James got down on one knee and asked Mallory to be his wife. Though still on bended-knee, James’ spirit crashed the boards for a slam-dunk when she accepted!
Last Saturday, the merciless sun beat down on Robinson’s Ranch, but made for a glorious wedding day. Surrounded by the closest of family and friends—most of whom had seen the relationship grow from adolescence to adulthood—Mallory and James promised forever to each other. The day was made particularly lovely with coordination assistance from Stella of I Do Parties, floral décor by Charmaine of Charmaine’s Bouquet Canyon Florist, and Dave Mancini of Invisible Touch DJ.
Mallory and James…thank you for exposing me to Canyon Country and all its fabulousness! ;) I wish you nothing but happiness, joy, and love and you carve your marital niche together. Thank you for inviting me to document your wedding day and I hope you have a blast in Hawaii! Much Love and Appreciation…J*
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| Much to my delight, Mallory and James opted to see each other before the ceremony! Yay! This was actually the BEST decision because their ceremony was mid-afternoon, with very harsh lighting situations. We started the wedding day with photos in the morning and worked fast to avoid the 100-degree weather! |
| James' truck made a cameo appearance, but to see more, be sure to check out the slideshow! |
To see more of their wedding, CLICK HERE for a slideshow!
And a special thanks to Brittany Leigh for coming along and shooting with me :) |
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Obsession, of the Paper Kind
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O bsession: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea. I wouldn’t say I’m obsessed with paper goods. Really. I just like everything about the feel, color, and smell. Yes, the smell. There’s just something about walking into a stationary store and feeling at one with my penmanship self.
I love writing—and receiving—letters, so in staying true to this compulsion, I ensure everything that leaves my office is accompanied by a hand-written note. When I was a manager for Nordstrom, it was company policy to contact our dedicated clients via hand-written notes. I guess the philosophy of personal touch stuck with me because I feel like I write notes all day!
From the inception of my business, I invested in personalized paper goods and I felt like it could be used a point of differentiation. I still subscribe to this thought. Now that I’m currently undergoing a rebranding, one of the first things I had to do was reinvest in paper goods. When I spoke to Allison of Sadori Studio, I told her exactly what I wanted: clean, simple, modern. What she produced was a card with rounded edges, my logo, and a black ribbon band. On the inside is personalized signature and contact information. It’s perfect for what I need and want!
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If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you’ll know that my paper good obsession reaches out to the more ghetto fabulous regions: Post-It Notes. Also known as the step-child of the paper world, Post-Its are my best friend. I can’t tell you how much I really use them because one might think I hoard cats in my home and hide croutons under my bed, but suffice to know it’s a lot. I use them for grocery lists, to-do lists, Oh-I-like-this-song notes, reminders, I Love You notes, postage, Can-you-please-take-out-the-trash notes. Everything. My family and fellow blog readers have been kind in fueling my obsession (much to JD’s chagrin), so here’s proof of a future crazy lady:
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| And the funny thing is I’m sure I’ll go through all these Post-Its in about a month. Like I said, I’m obsessed. |
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Carissa and Brian : Engagement
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I have dibs on Hot Brian! Those were Carissa’s exact words when her friend asked who she was going to dance with at an upcoming wedding. Carissa had never met Brian and though having only seen him in a picture, she knew there was something about this Missouri boy that made her stomach drop.
While students at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Carissa and her best friend often spoke about Brian. Brian this, Brian that, Brian’s so amazing. Carissa didn’t care if there was umpteen states dividing them, she was going to get to know this Brian guy on no uncertain terms.
The first time they formally met each other was at the Los Angeles Marathon. Carissa told him she’d be wearing overalls and a blue hat, a fashion transgression she regrets to this day. Please don’t ask me why I wore overalls…I swear, that was the last time I EVER wore them! As Brian hears this, he looks over to Carissa and suppresses a smile. She entertains him with her endless energy and charm, even when talking about fashion.
It’s so evident how Brian loves Carissa. Quietly, rationally, beautifully. She’s a talker, he’s a listener. She guesses, he corrects. She’s out, he’s in. But just seeing the way interacts with her is like watching a needle and thread keep together a brilliantly colored quilt. Without the thread, there is nothing to keep the patches unified. Brian’s love unifies Carissa’s life and their love leaves an indelible impression.
I’m SO excited for Carissa and Brian’s wedding this August!! Not only do they have an absolutely spectacular day planned, I know nothing is going to be overlooked because Carissa is owner of JL Designs…this girl has been planning her wedding before Brian was even in the picture! ;)
We started their engagement session in Downtown Los Angeles penthouse which was nothing short of amazing! |
| Isn't Carissa going to make the most gorgeous bride ever?! |
| We then went outside for rooftop images and had a blast! :) |
| Indicative of their personalities, Carissa is reading US Weekly, and Brian is reading Architectural Record! :) |
| If you've been coming to the blog for a while, you'll know that dark and moody pictures aren't my thing, but I saw gorgeous afternoon light pouring in through the vintage windows against the staircase and I just couldn't resist! |
| We ended their fun engagement session at Union Station along the subway...loved it! For more images, be sure to check out their slideshow! |
| To see more of their engagement session, be sure to CLICK HERE for a slideshow! |
2013
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2011
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