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Friday Randomness : Nutella + Manifestos
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D id I ever tell you about that one time I ate Nutella? Because, really, IT CHANGED MY LIFE. I know I have penchant for being dramatic, but listen to me when I say this stuff is like legalized drugs. Yummy, sweet drugs that make the world a prettier place without the use of pink elephants or lava lamps. It happened last week or so when Brianna served Nutella and strawberries for dessert. A bit later, JD cleared the table and I got all hostage on him.
TOUCH THAT PLATE AND SOMEONE WILL GET HURT.
The plate was practically empty, but I needed a moment to get my index finger and scoop up the trailed remains. I was pathetic, sitting there with my little plate like a crow digging through trash, but it was worth it. Trust me. That was my first Nutella experience, so you could imagine my delight when I got this for my anniversary: |
| Umm, that's, like, the most bestest gift evah. Speaking of bestest things, I made a personal pizza for JD last night and he was so impressed with my culinary skills, he took a picture of my creation. Next up, soy corndogs shaped like dinosaurs! |
| I keep one of my all-time favorite quotes posted to my computer--scrawled in my slanted penmanship--as a reminder of what is possible. A few days ago, my good friend Harmony of Jet Fete sent me the quote, but extra pretty and bedazzled... |
| Internet, if this picture doesn't make you go ga-ga, I don't know what will. I swear, this photo puts me in the BEST mood... |
| Came across this little gem yesterday on Facebook and the artist couldn't be more right... |
| I'll end this post with this awesome set of photos I saw on Design Love Fest. Apparently, someone painted a wall, provided chalk for viewers to participate, and what resulted was a public manifesto of sorts. And it's all kinds of awesome. |
| Happy Friday and go get yourself some Nutella! |
    
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FAQ : Avoiding Photographic Regret
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I was recently asked by Caroline Shea on Facebook whether I get back from a photo shoot and feel like I didn't get everything I wanted or wish I had done better. Caroline writes, If so, how do you combat that negativity? I take it and learn from it, but it can be disheartening. Are you at a point now where you usually have a good idea of everything you are going to do before you do it? How are you able to visualize that?
Well, the answer to these questions is yes. Yes, I always think I could do better. Always. But I'm also the type of person who secretly thinks if I went to elementary school with Ryan Gosling, I'd make him give me a promise ring and propose before we left fifth grade. I'm delusional. Everything in retrospect is clear and the would've/should've/could've completely evident. It's not always like that (Ryan, if you read this, I'm still here for you, boo), but there are ways to alleviate the stress going into a shoot. |
| Most of the time, my shoots are broken into two sections, outfit one and outfit two (my clients usually opt for an outfit change). Before I start a shoot, I arrive to the location around 25-30 minutes early and find locations that best fit natural light photography and take time to review my previsualized ideas. |
| During the first half of the photo shoot (outfit one), I'm gauging my clients and setting the tone for a fun time. We chat, walk, and I pose them in ways that seem completely natural to who they are as a couple. Once I feel I have a grasp of who they are, we've hit a lull, or we begin to lose light (as in, working against sunset), I encourage the clients to change into outfit two. |
While the clients are away, I have a few moments (maybe ten minutes) to look at my camera and quickly assess how things have developed. One thing I focus on is whether I have an equal mix of:
*Candid photos
*Fun photos
*Romantic photos
*Editorial photos
*Lifestyle photos |
As I scroll through the images on the LCD screen of my camera, patterns start to form. If it's lively, vivacious couple, the shoot up until that point will likely yield more fun, candid poses, so I make it a point to focus on photos that are softer in nature (like romantic, warm, and kissy...yup, just made up that word) when the clients return in outfit two.
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| Please note: I showcase about a half of the shoot via a slideshow and blog post, and the other half is posted in an online gallery (for a total of 60-65 images) to ensure my clients have a variety of images to choose from that aren't too much of one type of photography. And that's the key: ensuring your clients have a diverse portfolio filled with pictures that make them happy. Because, if they're happy, they'll refer people your way...which will in turn allow you to hone your skills even more on a photo shoot, lessening those moments of photographic would've/should've/could've. |
Like always, I hope this helps at least one person...and it made sense. I have a tendency to talk a lot. Or what I tell JD when he says I'm rambling: I'M THOROUGH. Obvi.
Stay Fabulous,
j* |
H e sat across from me and shook his head in a way that said, you have no idea. I saw him, but continued to push forward, like I was presenting a case to a jury. Except we sat in a kitchen and the sun was setting. I explained life is too short to be unhappy and why must people feel like they're fighting to make things work, instead of them merely working? Like they're intended to.
JD, I said, I'm a quitter. When I'm unhappy, I quit...I was raised to believe this is okay. Life is too short to be unhappy.
He shook his head again, but this time he said, no. No, it's not okay. Then the conversation took a drastic turn. Where I was referencing quitting a job or a book, his soul stirred deeper. You can't quit at everything, he said. If what you said was true, it means you'd be willing to quit on us if you became unhappy. For him, quitting isn't an option.
I laughed. Uncomfortably. What are you talking about, I asked.
JD looked me straight in the eyes and said, Jasmine, I've made one promise to God in my entire life. Just one. And that was to be with you until the day I died. In happiness and turmoil...in sickness and health. If I break that promise, I will have let God down. I'm going to be with you forever, even if there are times when it hurts."
I sat on the kitchen stool in silence. And in that moment, I realized I married an incredible man.
Six years ago today, I stood on a beach in Hawaii and promised to love, honor, and cherish my husband. What I realize more today than ever was that JD swore to God to never leave my side and I am assured (more than ever) and know (in the depths of my soul) nothing will him stop from keeping it.
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I called the front desk and requested a 5am wake-up call and while I thought it'd make total sense, I definitely felt the three hour time difference the following morning. My body was in Atlanta, but my brain was back in California, where it was 2am and there'd likely be a dog resting his head on my right ankle. Not left, just the right. I shuffled around in the darkness using my phone as a flashlight. And right then I realized it was the closest I'd ever get to camping in the south.
I reviewed my presentation notes and talked out loud trying to tie my thoughts together. I emailed clients, organized my flight home, then got ready for the long day ahead. Oh, and I topped this preparation with a pair of red heels. Because--just maybe--I could take heels camping.
I was honored to speak at WPPI University in Georgia. Over 400 photographers showed up for the three-day conference and it was an incredible gathering of incredible photographers. The energy in the room was palpable and I was greeted with a warm southern welcome filled with things like y'all...fixin to do...ma'am, although I could have done without that last one thankyouverymuch. |
| Many thanks to Ashley for capturing the event on my behalf... |
| Like always, it's a true honor to speak as part of WPPI, but--more so--an honor meeting so many amazing people. I'm incredibly excited to see where the industry is heading and how promising the future appears. |
I arrived in Georgia yesterday. After two hours of sleep the night before, a long day of travel, and hell-hath-no-fury-like-an-hot-day-in-Atlanta, I wasn't sure if I wanted to go out for dinner. I was tired, cranky, and hungry, which basically meant I felt as fun as tequila donkey with two legs. Ashley and a great group of girls rallied and we walked to not one, but TWO restaurants that were closed. Why are restaurants closed on Sunday, I scoff, instantly regretting wearing heels. It's Sunday. That was the response. Just like that.
Internet, apparently restaurants are closed in the south because SWEETBABYJESUS DOESN'T WANT PEOPLE TO EAT ON SUNDAYS. Amen. |
We ended up at Taco Mac and over the roar of football fans, we got to talking about words. Specifically the impact we have as curators of our work. Everything we say is a reflection of who we are and what we produce. If you use words to tear down, marginalize, or belittle, people may admire your art, but they'll have a hard time respecting the artist.
When you love what you do, cautiously approach what you say...and how you say it. Even when we doubt it, our peers are watching. |
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