spent most of this week agonizing over the decision I had to make. I spent hours watching videos. I forced friends and family members to weigh in...yes, forced. Don't mess with me when I have to make an agonizing decision. Last Friday was the deadline to submit a video to win a seat for the creativeLIVE course in Seattle next month, and people came out with guns blazing. Internet, there were some AWESOME videos. Like, blow-you-away awesome. You can see them here, if you'd like.
To the photographers who entered the contest, thank you. No, really. THANK YOU. I was so amazed at the outpouring of support that I wanted to invite everyone to join us in Seattle...knowing this, I had to start culling. Of the 120 submitted videos, my first 'short' list was around 65. And I could only choose six. A million hours later--which included hair pulling, crying, and the occasion bout with hives--I'm proud to share the six photographers who'll join us in Seattle for the live wedding!
Again--and again--thank you to everyone who submitted videos. The goal for creativeLIVE is to offer a diverse perspectives, skill sets, and experience to give a wide range of connectivity for viewers who are planning to watch online. There were SO many factors that went into the decision making and if I ever see you in real life, I'll honestly hug you for participating. F'real.
The Workshop : June 2010
06.25.10
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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!
Rawr.
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!
St. Louis Here I Come!
06.23.10
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esterday JD and I hosted The Workshop here in Orange County and I fell in love with the group. Seriously, sometimes I feel so overwhelmed doing what I love...and meeting such amazing people along the way. More on that later. The only downfall to workshops is that Polo is left alone for most of the day...and can't handle it. He sits perched on a bench by the dining room table and cries for most the day. It's true. Our neighbors say so. And if your heart didn't just break into a THOUSAND MILLION PIECES, you have no heart. There, I said it.
This morning Polo was worried we'd leave him again, so when I put on his leash for the morning walk, he ran out the front door and waited. Patiently.
In other news, I'm incredibly excited to share I'll be speaking in St. Louis this August! Kelly Manno planned the St. Louis Shot Party for August 18, 2010 and she's planned a day full of speakers and a lot of fun! If you're in the area, I'd love to meet you soon! To get more info and register, CLICK HERE to do so.
Happy Wednesday!
Top 5 Business Mistakes I've Made
06.14.10
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t's definitely ridiculous, but it's my favorite question. What's your biggest mistake and what did you learn from it? I ask it all the time. Which makes me either consistent or unoriginal. I prefer the former, thankyouverymuch. But here's the crazy thing...I never asked myself that question. Part of why I ask this question is because I learn more from what you did wrong, than what you're doing right. Don't ask me why, that's just how I roll.
So, if you're anything like me, I thought I'd put together a Top Five List of Things I've Done Wrong in My Business in case you can learn from my mistakes and not repeat them...
5. I didn't ask questions. When I first started, I was afraid to let peers know I didn't know what I was doing. When I'd go to workshops and the instructor would say something I didn't understand, I just sat there and nodded my head. If I was second shooting and the lead photographer asked for something I didn't know how to do, I tried to make it work in spite of my unknowingness. This is tragic. I could've learned so much more, grown faster, and softened my learning curve had I just had the cajones to admit I didn't know. If I could do everything again, I'd ask every question I could...even if it made me feel stupid.
4. I waited too long to get a website. I know this goes without saying--probably because I say it all the time--but I can't stress it enough. When I got a Showit website, it legitimized my business and allowed me to further define my web presence. Clients took me seriously, coordinators/planners sent clients my way in light of a complete and focused online portfolio, and it became easier to warrant a new level of professionalism, which, in turn, allowed me to garnish a new type of client.
3. I let others dictate how I felt about my work. Needless to say, this happens a lot in the industry. Sometimes business owners will talk so certainly about WHAT they have, WHERE they're going, WHO they're with, HOW many weddings they booked...and so forth. And though it might be unintentional, they made me feel less worthy to pursue my dream of becoming a photographer, and my work. They had that camera, so clearly they take better photos than me. They're off to that industry mixer with people who air kiss, so clearly they're cooler than I am and will get jobs as a byproduct of it. They just booked their 764th wedding for the year...and updated their Facebook status to let the world know.
I walked around in a constant state of I Suckiness, and it wasn't until I tuned out the noise that I was able to define who I was...just plain old Jasmine Star. Once this happened, I was able to embrace my current situation: While I may not have the best camera, or party with the cool kids, or book weddings like a boss...I'm moving forward. And moving is always better than sitting still.
2. I didn't make long-term equipment purchases. I'll never forget it. JD and I stood at the sales counter and we debated the pros and cons of each flash. I wanted to buy the Canon 430EX, but JD insisted I buy the 550EX. Through gritted teeth I reminded him we didn't have money for it, but he understood the value of spending a little more for a distinct performance difference. I didn't listen to him and bought the 430. A few months later, I went back and bought the 550EX because the 430EX just wasn't cutting it for me.
Moral of the story: You get what you pay for. And JD is always right.
1. I didn't take more risks. When I think back to when I first started, I can't help but feel sorry for that girl. The girl who didn't trust herself enough to take bigger risks. Who didn't dream big enough. Who limited herself by her own experience and other people's estimations of what was possible.
If I could go back and tell the Jasmine Star of 2007 something, I'd whisper in her ear: Believe in what you know you can do. Trust your gut. Ignore the naysayers. Dream big, but hope for more. However, knowing myself back then, I would ignore the whisper...so then I'd grab me by the shoulders, give me a good shake, then holler straight in my face, SPRINT TOWARD WHAT YOU WANT AND DON'T EVER LOOK BACK. Ever.
Happy Monday!
Stargazing : Skip Cohen
06.09.10
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'll never forget the first time someone looked me in the face and told me what was wrong with my pictures. That someone was Skip Cohen. And I completely adore him for it. In fact, he STILL tells me what I'm doing wrong! ;) In all honesty, Skip just tells things how they are and he's become an icon in the photo industry for his leadership, foresight, and chutzpah.
Skip is president of his marketing consulting firm, and is revered in the industry for his opinion, so when I had the chance to chat with him last week, I picked his brain. Then asked if he'd be interested in sharing his knowledge with my readers...ahhh, yes...there's nothing better than being put on the spot!
I hope you enjoy this Stargazing interview and help me welcome, Skip Cohen...
What is the best way to jump start a photography business? I guess we have to start with the definition of "jump start".
If you're talking about a business that already exists and you've simply stalled and need a jump start, then it all begins with you getting focused on what it is you want to do. You've got to get yourself psyched up and be not only excited, but really motivated and proud of your career choice in photography. Specific things to do are everything from attending a few workshops taught by photographers you admire to launching your own PR campaign, getting involved in the community, creating buzz for your business. A children's photographer should launch a new promotional opportunity. A wedding photographer needs to do a mailing to all his/her past clients about "expanding", new products e.g. albums etc. anything that creates a little noise.
Now, if your definition of "jump start" is kicking off a new business then it's about networking, publicity and being involved in the community. Remember, I'm assuming that you know what you're doing in terms of photography/imaging and that you know how to photograph and deliver a finished product.
What's a common mistake you see photographers make when running their business? They don't run it like a business. They think they can do it all themselves instead of hiring an accountant, having legal counsel if you need it and farming out those aspects of the biz they have no expertise in. Plus there are lots of places to go for help - just on the writing and marketing side I'm really proud of what we're doing at GhostRighters.com. There are also too many photographers who think they'll fix it in Photoshop later - because they don't understand photography, exposure and composition they're spending too much time behind the computer cleaning up images when they should be out promoting themselves!
What do you suggest to photographers who are just staring out and trying to build a business? First, get to know photography and your gear. Know it cold so you're producing great images right out of the can. Second, attend a few workshops on marketing and business...follow a few blogs that offer help. I know it's self-motivating here, but I'm really proud of all the information on SkipsPhotoNetwork and what Scott Bourne and I are doing on GoingPro2010.com, especially the podcasts. Third, build your network. That means attend every possible program/workshop you can. Get to know the photographers in your area. Get involved with PUG (Pictage User Groups) and local chapter/guild meetings of PPA for example. I just spoke in Dallas a few weeks ago at the Dallas Professional Photographers monthly dinner and it was an amazing group of talented people all their to help each other.
What's one thing you'd change about the current state of the photo industry? I'm so tired of photographers thinking because they know Photoshop they think they can run a business. I'm talking about the crew that comes in and puts out a low ball price on a lousy quality CD of images - they're doing the industry an injustice, but more importantly they're hurting themselves and leaving a lot of potential business on the table, not to mention giving nothing to the bride. Remember, my point isn't about low pricing, but low quality and no added value in albums, frames, canvas prints etc. Their quality is so bad that it fuels the average consumer into thinking if they just get a decent digital SLR they can shoot the wedding themselves and *poof* another "Uncle Harry" is born.
What's the best piece of advice you've been given? Got a couple of them..."To thine ownself be true" - photography is a career choice where everything has to come from your heart. If your heart just isn't it you'll only live a life of disappointment and frustration. "Only touch each piece of paper once!" it doesn't apply as paper anymore, but think of it as email and phone calls. Read it and make a decision and take action - don't drag things out.
