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Featured : Your Wedding Day Magazine
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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O ne of the things I'm most worried about being my sister's maid of honor (and wedding photographer) is throwing her a bridal shower. Not because I don't know what to do, but quite the opposite. I've seen some of the most lavish showers and parties...I'm not sure I can measure up! I have already starting throwing ideas around with a friend about the design, decor, and colors, but I've got my work cut out for me. And if you've seen the recent spread in Your Wedding Day Magazine, you'll know what I mean. A few months ago I had the pleasure of collaborating with a spectacular group of wedding industry peers for a Sex In The City inspired bridal shower. The day was perfect and I was honored to be able to document it.
Event Planner and Designer: Jeannie Savage with Details, Details
Floral Design: Enchanted Florist
Paper Goods: Details A La Carte
Linens: Wildflower Linen
Catering: 24 Carrots
Cake: Sweet Gems
Shoot Producer: Hermes & Associates CC
Photography: Jasmine Star
And special thanks to Thea at YWD Magazine for being a visionary and an amazing editor...I just love this magazine! |
    
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Kisses and Disses : Wipes + The World Cup
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H e's what I call a Marketer's Dream. He's the kind of person NYC marketers sit in their corner boardrooms and dream about. He's the kind of guy that likes to be sold to. And he also happens to be my husband. JD loves anything and everything that's packaged, jingled, and cha-chinged. And it's the most annoying thing. Ever. I mean, when waitresses see him, they know his kind. They offer the pureed strawberry lemonade, the signature appetizers, and chived sour cream for only $2.00 more. And he always says yes. Oh, because it's SIGNATURE.
I've grown accustomed to this behavior. Kinda. Yesterday I walked in from the gym and Polo did his happy wiggle. I got on the floor and kissed him, like always. I called him Stinker...then JD asked me if Polo was really stinky. Because he has something for that. For stinkyness, I ask. JD then offers the following: |
Wipes. WIPES?!? Now, that's just too much. Some bald, bellied man in NYC is laughing in his boardroom when he realizes JD actually BOUGHT THE WIPES. Because, really? Who buys wipes for their dog?! Oh, my little Marketer's Dream.
This leads me to another installment of Kisses and Disses... |
This week's DISSES go to:
*Bald, bellied marketers in NYC who sell dog wipes.
*Husbands who buy said wipes.
*Receiving newsletters I never subscribed to. It drives me irrationally crazy. |
This week's KISSES go to:
*The World Cup. Because, really, how can those players look so rawr after 90 minutes of running, sweating, and pretend-fouling?
*This American Life podcast. I'm obsessed with Ira Glass. I listen to him while I work and we're a pretend couple. In my mind. Which is so normal.
*Martha Stewart wall paint. My bathroom is now Persimmon thanks to Martha's line at Home Depot. Oh, what? You think persimmon sounds fancy? IT SO IS.
Happy Tuesday! |
I t was my first step on a school campus as a legit student. I wore new shoes, a neatly ironed skirt, and a brand-new backpack. When I think back to that moment, I'm mostly struck with the idea that I was trying too hard. But I was homeschooled until that very point, so I didn't know any better. I walked into WCCS as an eighth grader, as a single (my twin decided to be homeschooled for another year), and fully focused on what mattered: boys. Namely, that I had zero experience with them. Mom explained that they were from the devil--and I wasn't allowed to date until I was 31--but I was determined to figure it out for myself.
Unluckily, the boys paid little attention to me. I was awkward. Pudgy, bushy eyebrows, and I wore hand-me-downs, so I was in a constant state of looking, well, worn. It wasn't until Brieanna befriend me that my luck changed. She had a closet filled with clothes, her mother plucked my brows, and she showed me all the cool radio stations to listen to. RnB...definitely RnB...
Shortly into the year, I caught the attention of TJ Lunsford. He had almond shaped eyes and a magnetic smile. He lived with his grandmother, loved basketball, and didn't seem to care about my clothes. We started talking on the phone after school and then became a couple. Because that's how it happens. Duh.
TJ + Jasmine = 4ever
Kissing was strictly forbidden at the school, but I knew if we were to going to kiss, it had to be there because my parents didn't allow me to hang out after the bell rang. At the risk of being suspended, I knew I had to be ready for TJ at any moment. It was all about the strawberry-flavored chapstick. One afternoon, TJ took a break from playing football at lunch and invited me to sit with him. Alone. Behind the dumpster. Hold on...that bears repeating...BEHIND THE DUMPSTER. He was breathing deeply. I like to pretend it was because he was nervous, but I know it was because he'd just scored a touchdown. We spoke for a bit, then he leaned in and kissed me. Soft, firm, experienced. I, on the other hand, looked like I was trying to resuscitate a llama.
A couple weeks later, TJ broke up with me. Michelle was his new girlfriend and they kissed in the bus after our basketball games. And she didn't make it look so llama-ish. It made me realize my mom was right after all: Boys were from the devil. |
T here's always a brief moment right before I meet the group of workshop attendees when I get an overwhelming sense of Be-cool-be-cool-be-cool. Like, I have to remind myself to keep it together and stay collected because this group of photographers traveled from all over the world for The Workshop, and I don't want to disappoint them.
On Monday night, the attendees planned a mixer before the workshop, and I was excited to attend. Yes, I was juuuuust barely getting over being sick, but I was determined to be there. Pumped up on Sudafed and all. Things went well until the night lingered and perhaps I got tired. Or something. Because the next thing I know, I dropped an ENTIRE glass of ice water on the girl sitting next to me. And ohmysweetbabyjesus I panicked. I grabbed a cloth napkin and started patting her down...which was stupid. Hello, Heather, can I please fondle you?!
The good news is that it was a wonderful ice breaker. No pun intended. The group was comprised of 20 fabulous girls and I'm so glad to call them friends...here's a sneak peek of our day together... |
| We were incredibly lucky to work with Joe and Jihan Cerda as models...and, really, you'd think they did this professionally.... |
| Like always, I'm thrillllled to work with Carissa of JL Designs...not only is her work amazing, she's a beautiful soul who I'm proud to call my friend... |
| This look? This look is how Joe looks at Jihan all the time...it's so sweet! |
| Joe, some of the girls mentioned you were soft of the eyes...I kinda agree... ;) |
| The light was truly spectacular on Tuesday...it's was 72 degrees in Orange County with a slight breeze...pretty much perfect shooting weather! |
| I have to take a brief moment to just say THANK YOU to the ever fab Vivian of All Made Up...I lovelovelove her work and seeing her work her magic on Jihan was perfection! |
| Every workshop, I'm always blown away by how many Shootsacs make an appearance...I think all my girls make great models! :) |
| I'm extra thankful to Photographer's Edit for sponsoring the workshop lunch and giving everyone a 20% Discount on their first order using the jstar2010 code. They help me SO much in my business and I simply love the crew! |
| I was definitely swooning over the black calla lilly bouquet....perfection...thank you, Carissa! |
Jihan, you're beautiful. Truly, truly beautiful.
Vivian, I love your hair and makeup work! |
| And here's my favorite photo of the day...what a great group of photographers! This was the first workshop without any guys, so we all had to work hard to make JD feel welcome! ;) |
To my new friends...you make me swoon. After The Workshop, I seriously felt like the luckiest photographer. Ever. Spending the day with you and simply sharing ideas, swapping photo tips, and laughing the day away made for a spectacular memory. I know the future is bright for you and I can't wait to see how you shake up the industry! Stay Fabulous.... j*
If you're interested in attending a future workshop, be sure to sign up for the J* Newsletter to be the first to know when it's announced! |
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Silverado Engagement : Bianca + Matt
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S he sat on our couch in a funk. My sister didn't have to explain what was wrong, as the conversation from dinner lingered in the air. Over dinner I explained my past clients worked for eHarmony, and it sounded like something she should try...because, really, she wasn't going to meet a guy doing what she was doing. Bianca was the type of person who's constantly on a mission to save the world. Literally. She volunteered with youth at church, planned trips to Mexico to distribute toys at orphanages, and organized food drives. All in her spare time. And let's be real, Bianca wasn't going to meet a guy at the local canned food drive.
I gave her my credit card and she--reluctantly--created a profile. Over the next few weeks her calls were filled with, THIS IS SO RIDICULOUS...WHY DO YOU HATE ME...DON'T MAKE ME DO THIS! And with an attitude like that, she didn't go on a single date. That is, however, until she was matched with Matt. Now, here's a crazy thing: Matt was busy trying to save the world, too! He was doing all the same things Bianca was doing at his church.
So. Matt invites Bianca to coffee. She accepts. Then Bianca cancels last minute (she cites he might be a crazed murderer posing as a cute church boy). Matt is dumfounded. Then he sends her an email along the lines of: Listen, I don't want to marry you...it's just coffee. Bianca feels foolish. They plan to meet--again--for coffee.
Their coffee date was five hours long. And upon first meeting, they both realized they met the perfect person to help save the world. Together. |
| I couldn't believe I was lucky enough to find a random boat in someone's front yard! I was too nervous to ask if we could shoot in front of it...so I made Matt go and do it! ;) |
| Bianca, if you weren't my twin sister, I'd say you looked beautiful. But since we look alike, that would be totally weird. So, instead, I'll say you have GREAT HAIR! |
| Since we were kids, I could always make my sister laugh. My parents don't get it. They don't think I'm funny, but Bianca thinks I'm kinda hilarious. |
| The picture on the left is a true, true picture of how Matt treats Bianca...he's always holding her up, so she can be the best version of herself... |
| Hey, Matt, I vote this be your new Facebook picture! ;) |
| Look at the textured walls...be still my heart.... |
| Okay, and I'll end with a rawr shot... |
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