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Challenge Update and First PPR Article
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J*: I don’t think you’re putting enough on…
JD: I’ve used more than half of this container already, so I don’t understand why you’re not feeling it yet.
J*: Just keep rubbing it in…my legs are dying!
JD: I can’t believe you’re doing this. All for an iTunes card?! How ‘bout I just buy you a card? That way I won’t have to hear you groan every time you take a step…
J*: It’s not about the iTunes card…it’s about the rush…the competition…the glory!
Okay, so last night I was a little dramatic. Yes, I haven’t been this sore since, oh, say, when I played basketball in high school, but I wanted JD to know how serious my bodily aches were. Hence, the extra, extra rubs with IcyHot.
Twenty-five minutes later, I turned to JD with chattering teeth.
J*: I…I…I thinkkk somethinnng is wrrrong.
JD: Yeah. I think I used too much IcyHot.
Covered under four blankets, a sweatshirt, and a heating pack, I tried getting warm. But it so wasn’t working. Note to self: Use IcyHot sparingly unless I want to feel like I’m sitting on an icecube in an igloo!
I’ve run a little over 15 miles since Monday, but seeing how a little sneaky fellow (who shall remain nameless….because I’m feeling nice!) decided to start the race on TUESDAY (and not mention it!), I’ve only logged a little over eleven. I’m kinda over running, but I’m trying to remember it’s about the rush…the competition…the glory! ;)
In other non-banal news, Pro Photo Resource released its September issue and features my first article! Woohoo! It’s autobiographical in nature, so if you’re interested in how I got started, be sure to check it out by CLICKING HERE.
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Martina and George : Wedding
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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T he yellow and pink lights that illuminated the dimly lit hallway leading to Martina’s bridal suite at The Ivy Hotel paled when the door opened. Laugher and chatter escaped past the mahogany door and Martina was perched in an overstuffed chair. With varying crescendos of R-n-B playing softly in the background, she took a deep breath and let it out unevenly. I’m so nervous!
And she had all the right to be. Martina and George met as children and—as George’s grandmother later recounted—they held hands their first time together. And it’s so nice to see, Grandma said into the microphone during the reception, that all these years later, you’re still holding hands. They met as children, fell in love in high school and have been together ever since. Martina and George have a beautiful son and as dinner was served, Little George asked for the microphone. His tiny six-year-old palms clutched the mic and waited for the room to quiet. He sighed and his amplified breath was heard throughout the circular room of El Cortez in San Diego. Mom and Dad…thank you for having me. A cacophany of cheers, applause, and laughter filled the air, only to be subsided by the sipping of champagne.
Martina and George…just like Little George said, thank you for having me…thank you for having me document your special day! :) Being at your wedding was a blessing and I thank you for the honor. The entire day was absolutely stunning and I thank you for trusting me to capture every detail and moment. Have fun in Playa Del Carmen! Love…J*
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Martina’s fabulous wedding vendors…Kelly Aull from Mint Weddings coordinated the entire day flawlessly!! Kelly’s team was awesome and if there’s a bride looking for a San Diego wedding coordinator, be sure to check her out! Also, Lavonne from Adorations did such a stunning job with the floral décor…it was truly gorgeous! Jason Taylor with Taylor Films was on hand for videography. Again, the day was gorgeous, and it wouldn’t have been possible without such amazing support! Thanks!
And the wedding shoe gods smile down on me yet again...every girl loves Badgley Mischka! :) |
| Because Kelly and Martina planned the wedding day meticulously, we had enough time to really invest in getting the type of pictures Martina wanted in her wedding dress...shooting at The Ivy was seriously eye candy! :) |
| Photography note: I particulary like this picture because it looks like a reflector was used...but in actuality, Martina was sitting on step relatively close to the white floor, which acted as a natural reflector of sunlight. |
| The girls patiently waiting for Martina at the bar... |
| There will be a greater number of detail photos because Martina didn't get a chance to see everything as she was pulled in so many different directions...I hope you like them, Martina!! :) |
| Kelly and her team did such an AMAZING job with the ceremony and reception...it was truly breathtaking!!! |
| Don't tell JD, but I had a not-so-secret crush on the best man... ;) |
| After the wedding ceremony at El Cortez, we headed back to The Ivy to catch the little sunset that was left... |
| Gorgeous reception details... |
| A view from behind while a speech is being delivered... |
| To view more of their wedding, CLICK HERE for a slideshow! |
| **A special thanks goes to my good friend and rockin' photographer, Michael Norwood for shooting with me!** |
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FAQ : Off Camera Lighting
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FAQ : What’s your off-camera lighting?
I’ve received quite a few emails in regard to what—specifically—I use for my off-camera flash. I usually only bring off-camera lighting for the reception (as I prefer to shoot in all natural light for as long as possible), and I love the way it changes the mood of the room.
Sidenote: If you’re a bride and you’re reading this, please note that hiring a professional lighting crew to light your reception is truly the most amazing thing you can do for your reception! It adds depth to the venue and overlays the event with a classy touch…and your pictures will be SO much prettier! :)
Here’s my reception set-up:
*Lightstand
*Photoflex LightDome Q39
*Pocket Wizard
*Sunpak Auto 838 Super Flash (yes, this is a ghetto fabulous flash, but you don’t need a fancy flash as it only is a small burst of light to off-set the dark room…and seeing how I usually have it set at 1/16, that lil’ thing chugs right along perfectly!)
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| I also have a Canon 580EX Speedlight on my camera, so I love when I can capture a subject backlight or with a little rim lighting… |
Again, as with most my FAQ blog entries, I only post them because I wish someone did the same thing when I first started. I had tons of questions, and very little answers. If just one person finds this helpful, then I'm stoked and it was worth the time!
Happy Monday!
j*
**EDITED TO ADD**
A special thanks to James Hyslip for sending me a link to getting everything you need on one shot: CLICK HERE to check it out! |
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The 30-Mile Race...and bragging rights
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You’re weird.
I weighed what JD said carefully. Yes, I agreed with him, but I tried to figure out what specifically he was referring to. It could be:
1. The fact that I was in bed all day trying desperately to keep a sinus infection at bay--complaining with every sniffle and sneeze—with a concoction of Emergency C, Claritin, and prayer. But somehow mustered enough strength to go last-minute shopping.
2. I stood in the shoe department with a small pile of running shoes surrounding me…I had different shoes on each foot and I was wearing a dress. I felt all of a three-years-old, and the only thing missing was a tattered teddy bear.
3. Just today I decided to join a group of photographers in a 30-mile race. And the competition begins tomorrow.
Once I thought about my weirdness, I responded to JD’s comment with a persnickety, Yeah, well, who’s worse? The weird girl or the guy married to the weird girl?! Exactly.
So, I guess this means I’m blogging my expedition because I don’t want to lose and, well, I don’t want to quit. Basically, the participants are logging their running progress via the Nike+iPod system, so there’s no room for excuses. The first person to 30 miles gets a pretty nice iTunes prize, a mandatory blog link from the losers, and bragging rights. So juicy.
I’m totally feeling sick and praying to get better soon, but I can’t start the competition not running. So send me well wishes, and extra warm-n-fuzzies because I totally need them.
Happy Sunday!
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I n the midst of a whirlwind wedding season, attending PartnerCon was a breath of fresh air. No, it was more like an oxygen bar. The kind of place I could sit back, choose the flavor of O2 I’d like to inhale, and enjoy the experience.
Every year I attend and I’m always stoked to see old friends and meet new ones…and this year was no exception. Some very awesome people introduced themselves to me and I look forward to getting to know them better. I also was able to spend quality time with my old friends and words can’t express how thankful I am to have them in my life.
I’d love to write more about everything I learned, but that’ll have to come in a future post because I’m on my way to a wedding. However, I must say that my good friend David Jay tore the place up. His workshop was inspiring and although I’ve heard him speak many times before, his new presentation was awesome! He’ll be uploading a video from his presentation to Freedom Club, so be sure to check it out!
Of the many other workshops I attended, Robert Evans (famed photographer of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston’s wedding, as well as TomKat’s recent wedding in Italy) gave an awesome presentation! He’s likable, funny, and totally down to earth. He’s starting a mentorship program so if other photographers are interested, be sure to check out Photography Mentor to get more information.
Lastly, I have to especially thank Davina Fear for her fabulous workshop. I approached her later and said that while she was delivering admonishment to the workaholics in the room, I felt like I was a sinner in church and needed to repent of my misguided ways! :) I’m excited about the many things I’m going to implement in the next couple of weeks to help me take my business to a new level…as well as help me gain a semblance of a life back!
Because I don’t have a point&shoot camera yet (helllllllo…I’ve been hinting at getting one f.o.r.e.v.e.r, but it seems to fall on deaf ears…JD…Mom…Dad…Santa Claus?!?!), the only picture I have is of me and Sara France dining out at this adorable restaurant in El Segundo. Before the conference officially began, I pulled her away from her computer as she was preparing her workshop to grab dinner. As much as I like going to conferences, being around tons of people all the time can be a little overwhelming**. Sitting alone with her and just fostering a connection to buttress our friendship was perfect! Thanks, Sara! By the way, if anyone has pictures we took together during PartnerCon, send them to me and I’ll blog them! ;)
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**Okay, so a guy at the conference approached me while I was waiting in line and said, You’re a lot different in person than on your blog…I pictured you more out-going and loud…but you’re really just a quiet girl. …? …? I didn’t know how to quite respond. I thought it was kinda funny. So be warned : I appear to be waaay cooler on my blog :D
EDIT: Here are a few pictures people have sent me from PartnerCon...thanks, ya'll!!
This is me and Marianne Lozano at a party hosted by Show It and Kiss Wedding Books |
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