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Jessica and Roy : Wedding
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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T his past Sunday, I had the pleasure of joining my good friend and fabuphotographer Samuel Lippke to help him shoot a wedding at The Four Seasons Beverly Hills. I've been wanting to second shoot for a while because it's been forever since I had the chance of doing so. Being the second shooter at a wedding is one of my favorite things as I feel it gives me the opportunity to develop my eye without the pressure of lead performance. Samuel contacted me a couple weeks ago and I was stoked to join him as I love his style and personality!
Jessica and Roy had an absolutely gorgeous wedding and pieced together a perfect day...even the temperamental LA weather cooperated with us! The ever fab Kerrie of Platinum Weddings by Kerrie coordinated the day, Elysium provided awesome video coverage, Sunny with White Lilac rocked the floral design, and Peter with Four Seasons Beverly Hills catering department was nothing short of fabulous.
Without further ado, here are a few favorite wedding pictures from Jessica and Roy's fabulous wedding day...
I was excited because Samuel asked me to photograph the groom while he photographed the bride, which is something I don't usually do since JD is better at hanging out with guys! ;) |
| The guys had their hands painted with henna to symbolize happiness and longevity... |
| Roy was a quiet, yet confident groom...and when it comes to photographing a guy, that's all I could ever ask for... |
| Jessica and Roy opted to see each other before the ceremony (trust me...all the cool kids are doing it), so here's a photo I took before Roy approached his bride... |
| This is the moment that makes a First Look so amazing...the moment when the groom sees his bride and knows forever begins right then... |
| We went down to the lobby of The Four Seasons for a few photos and Jessica was giddy to see her family arriving as well... |
| Jessica was a stunning bride and honestly glowed with fabulousness! |
| Just before the ceremony, they signed the Ketubah...look at how in love they are!! |
| Quite often, my most favorite photo from the wedding day of the bride and groom walking down the aisle just after the ceremony...love this moment! |
| While Samuel was photographing the family and post-ceremony pictures, he asked if I'd be able to document the reception decor with thanks to White Lilac...talk about eye candy! :) |
| Jessica and Roy's family don't party...they PARTAY! |
| A custom wedding cake topper made to look like the bride and groom...so cute! |
| I'll end this post with my favorite photo from the wedding... |
    
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FAQ : Reader Questions, VII
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F orget having a bad hair day. I've been having bad hair MONTHS. I recently got it cut and I feel like I could have done a better job with gardening tools and a weed whacker. I've tried every hair product and curling tool, but I think I'll be donning a ponytail for the next few months because this whole style thing isn't my cup of tea. I guess that's what I get for randomly stopping by a salon after grocery shopping because of a sign that read Summer Cutz R Cool.
WHAT WAS I THINKING?!
In hopes of proving I'm not as dumb as I appear (whateva, Cutz could've been cool...you never know!), I'm posting a round of FAQs...
Brian asked:
How do you like the Sunpak video light? How does it work for you?
In case some of you are wondering, Brian is referring to this blog post when I mentioned the Sunpak Readylite 20. I use this video light in emergency situations, which means I don't use it that much. The light is quite small, so I carry it with me all day instead of mounting a flash on my camera in case I walk into a dark room, need to photograph details with minimal light, or simply want a second light source. It's a great light and totally worth the $25 investment!
Molly asked:
My question is this: Did you go to a photography school? Would you suggest getting an educational background in photography? Or perhaps were you self-taught? And if you went to school for photography, where did you go and how did you decide on the school?
No, I didn't go to photography school. But I thought I would. It wasn't until my good friend David Jay talked me out of it. I was too afraid to teach myself and try to make things work on my own...so I thought school would be the best route. He said going to school for wedding photography wouldn't be worth the time or investment and if I was up for the challenge, I could make things work. I just had to believe they could.
Three years later, I'm writing on this blog as proof that anyone can learn photography and follow their passion if they're willing to try, fail, and try again.
Danielle asked:
What is your advice for shooting in full sun, besides looking for shade? Do you use reflectors?
I shoot my clients without the use of flash or reflectors, but I'm always in search of nature's way helping a sistah out. This is made easier when I photograph in urban areas because tall buildings are comprised of reflective glass. I try to place my subject in an evenly shaded area, but in the path of the reflected light. The same ideology applies when shooting in earthy environments as well. I'm always on the hunt for a white/beige wall with the sun shining directly on it. I then place the subjects perpendicular to the wall so the reflected light is favorably pushed in their direction. I want to stress the importance of natural reflectors when shooting in harsh light. I prefer shooting subjects backlit, but if the sun is too high or too bright, I look for natural reflectors instead of facing the subjects toward the sun. I do this because I think direct sun in midday is quite unflattering and squint-inducing. Again, most things in life are sweeter when you have to work at making things work. When you discover natural reflectors, you'll see your work take on a new shape and give you the confidence to take a harsh situation and make it into something you're proud to show your clients.
Joel asked:
How did you overcome your (what's the word I'm looking for) "fear" of just diving into it? I just need one little tidbit of your retrospect.
Okay, so this is a complicated question to answer. Because, really, I STILL haven't overcome my fear. I know that's totally lame to admit right out on the web for everyone and their mother to read, but it's the truth. I still get nervous before shoots, I get nervous before I shoot a wedding, I am nervous about booking 2010 weddings...I suppose fear is always around.
But the thing that matters most--the precipice of differentiation--is how you handle fear.
When I made the decision to dive into photography I was fearful. Of course. But this fear was shadowed by my fear of not living the life I wanted. The fear of being trapped in a 9-5, wearing a black suit, and having power meetings. Ugh. I dove head first into my business when I realized fear shouldn't dictate how I live my life...because the life I wanted to live was trapped in a Canon camera, a unknown blog, and 250 black business cards. That's all I had, but fear couldn't rob me of following my dreams. It shouldn't rob anyone of them.
And because posts are always better with a picture, here's a sneak peek of tomorrow's wedding blog... |
I really don't like going. But I do. For him. For both the 'hims' in my life. Polo and JD. This weekend, we made our usual trip to the dog park and fell into what we do: JD sits on an empty bench, I lay my head in his lap while reading a book, and Polo runs around the park like he's campaigning for Homecoming King. This is what we do and I've come to love it, regardless of the occasional whispers from JD, I don't think it's appropriate for you to lay like this in public... And I'm all, Since when have I ever been appropriate?!
On our most recent trip to the dog park, Polo ran to our bench and jumped on my belly--which is his way of letting us know he's ready to go home. An elderly gentleman approached our bench and cooed Polo's way. Now aren't you just the cutest dog here...oooh, just look at your face...I'm sure you know just how cute you are... I, of course, beamed like a proud mom and acted like I GAVE BIRTH to the furry creature perched on my belly. I was seconds away from insisting Polo had my father's paws.
When we left the dog park, I was still beaming...then I was struck with reality. And the reality is that God is fair. In fact, He's so fair I know there's no chance under Heaven that I'd be blessed with a cute child AND a cute dog. Life just doesn't work out like that. So, there you have it folks. When the day comes for me to bear a kid (which is no time soon!), I shall bring forth the spawn of Chewbacca and Jabba the Hutt. And it'll ALL BE POLO'S FAULT.
Instead of being disappointed, I merely embraced this notion, apologized to my future ugly child, and took a picture of my dog...hey, cut me some slack, I have to soak it up while it lasts! |
A couple months ago, I sat in my office and chatted with Jamie VanEaton, a hilarious writer for Design Aglow, an online collection of resources. It was raining and I was happy to be tucked in my office...in sweat pants flanked by a box of Reduced Fat CheezeIts and Perrier. Polo ran upstairs in a huff every so often, as if telling me my laughter was disturbing his midday nap. An hour later, I hung up the phone and went back to working.
Today I'm thrilled to share Jamie's online article in Issue 8 : The Essential Issue. From our conversation, she pieced together how I conduct my engagement sessions, advice for engagement sessions, as well as a few other quirky stories. If you're interested in downloading the online resource--filled with eight other articles of amazing photographers and plenty of photos--definitely check it out HERE. |
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Kisses and Disses : Singing and More Singing
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I t's common thing for people to beg me. I'm way used to it. They beg me to shut up, to stop burning the food, to stop driving so fast. But the most common begging request is for me to stop singing. PLEEEASSSE...please STOP SINGING!. And I am all, Pffft, whateva. Simon Cowell couldn't even handle my chops.
The more I think about it, the more I realize I just don't know how to do things half-way. For me, I'm either singing like a church mouse, or belting it out like Aretha Franklin. More often it's the latter. No, really, when I do a Mariah Carey ooooh, oooHHHH, OOOHHHHHH!!!!!, I see my loved ones cringe and purse their lips in frustration. Whateva.
When I'm being totally annoying, I challenge myself to respond to familial requests in song-fashion.
Jasmine, can you pass the butter? What YOU WANT, baby I GOT IT...what you NEED, do you know I GOT IT?
Jasmine, please leave the room if you're going to sing These boots are made for walkin', and that's just what I'll do...
Jasmine, can you please set the table for dinner? I'm a SLAAAVE for you...
My singing? Well, you just wait and see Internet...it's gonna make me some money. Or cure a disease.
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This week's DISSES go to:
*People who don't like my singing. When I make it big, all you haters are going down!
*Apple. Really?! Apple announced the release of the new iphone ONE DAY after I buy a new 3G. Thanks alot, Mr. Jobs!
*My car battery. It decided to die...right before I had to leave for a presentation. It was so awesome.
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This week's KISSES go to:
*Canon Professional Services. I LOVE IT! I needed servicing on my 50mm, 1.2 last week, and because of my CPS coverage, I received a 65% discount on the service fee and a free loaner 50mm, 1.2 until my lens was ready. Kisses to you, Canon!
*My fabulous bride, Stephanie Fay. You might remember her from her recent engagement session, but please note she's an amazing photographer in Phoenix, Arizona. Stephanie worked with Myntd.com to design her Showit website and it looks AWESOME! I have the best brides ever...I'm so proud! :) |
*Perrier. I know, I know. I'm obsessed with it. I must have a bottle every night. JD thinks it's weird, but I massage his worry by letting him know it's good for my singing career.
Happy Thursday! |
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