Year in Review : 2014

There are some years that change who I am. Like, fundamentally shift how I think, act, and feel. 2014 was one of those years and while it was hard in many ways, I'm happy to have gone through it…but I am happier to be entering 2015 with the chance to grow into who I want to be.

Before we close the books on 2014, I want to share a few behind-the-scenes gems. JD and I are incredibly fortunate to have careers we love. We work with some of the most amazing couples and are blessed by their trust. However, on a wedding day, JD and I have a game we play…it's called Who Can Take the Worst Photo of Each Other and here are the fruits of our labor…this is our 2014 year in review

Sometimes if the groom isn't paying attention, I threaten him with physical harm…don't mess with me, I'm Puerto Rican.

My husband organizes the drinks in our fridge and turns the labels facing out for items in our pantry…there is no one better to fastidiously adjust a wedding dress than this guy…

I'm a little tea pot, short and stout…here is my handle, here is my stout…

Have you seen anyone more dedicated to deliver bouquets in a pinch? I think not.

This marks the stupidest thing I did all wedding season long: JD and I strategically planned where we'd stand for the grand entrance due to limited shooting space. Because I'm a die hard and refuse to miss a shot, thought it'd be a good idea to run past the bride and groom…this moment is just before I almost slipped into a 40-foot ravine. Thankfully I fell on knees, crawled back up, and kept running to get the shot. #diehard.

One stance says Nice Girl, one stance says Try To Give Me Photography Rules, Church Lady!

In addition to adjusting dresses, JD is a veil fluffer extraordinaire…

Yes, that's right…kiss at sunset and just pretend I'm not here breathing down your necks…

Proof I'm a terrible negotiator.

I find rocks to stand on because I'm so short…

…no, really, if there's a rock nearby, I'll stand on it…

Kind of like Captain Morgan, but less cooler…

That one time my bride, Maya, surprised me with a birthday cake…

Nope, not in my frame at all…go on with your bad self…

This look? No idea what's going on…I think it has something to do with not packing a snack to the shoot and letting my blood sugar levels drop. I get meannnnn.

World's Creepiest Photo Bomb.

That moment when you need to adjust a cathedral veil…

I mean, just LOOK at that face…the dress will not beat him!

Dear JD, this is proof I'm funny…

Here at Jasmine Star Photography, we are serious about hair. We might have been hairstylists in another life.

Trash talking is my love language…

I call this his Pantene Pro-V look.

Before: “We have five hours left to shoot…”
After: “But we'll go get tacos after the wedding!”

One or both of the following might be true: 1. I regal my clients with colorful narratives; 2. I talk with my hands.

Doing my Urkel impersonation…Did I do thaaat?

Proof you've stayed at the wedding too long…

I call this: Portrait of a Happy Groom 😉

Dress holding on South Beach in Miami…yes, please.

In tight wedding ceremony quarters, I ask JD to sit and shoot from a chair during the processional. This is his I'm-just-a-guest-with-a-fancy-camera look.

This is the fake smile I wear when JD wants to test his light with 30 seconds to go before the ceremony starts…

Don't mind me guys..I'm just kicking it with the bugs and stuff.

Ladies, rest assured. JD refuses a speck of dirt to get on your wedding dress. Scouts honor.

Here's the only photo we have working together on a wedding day. And it's my favorite. Here's to another crazy, successful, happy, fulfilling year!

{To our 2014 brides and grooms…we thank you with all our hearts. At the risk of sounding cheesy, we love you, too. Your faith in our ability to document your day can only be dimmed by our sincere appreciation. Everything we have, all we do, is because of you.}

{And many, many thanks to Photographer's Edit for helping me stay on top of editing my weddings…y'all are true life savers and quality teammates!}