I’M A FULL TIME PHOTOGRAPHER! Woohoo! (Just in case you hadn’t heard!) I’m celebrating by attending a photography conference in Newport Beach, CA and I’m loving it! I love that I have a diploma, I love that I’m doing something new and on my own and I love meeting new friends and reuniting with the old ones! I could spend this post by explaining how much fun I having or about how much I love my roommate Courtney Reese. I could even tell you about how my blackberry didn’t change time zones and so my alarm went off at 6AM EST, which is 3AM Californian time and I started getting ready for the day! That’s a great story to tell!
However, though those are great stories, they will come with tomorrow’s post! What I want you to know today is how much I love my wedding photographer. Really. You’re probably rolling your eyes are shaking your head because you’ve heard it a million times. Well there is a reason that I and so many others sing her praises. She’s real, genuine and has a heart for bringing integrity and “Truf” into this crazy industry.
When I was leaving my first WPPI experience two years ago, I met a fellow photographer in the airport while waiting for security and she asked me who my favorite photographer was. I immediately shouted “Oh Jasmine Star!” because she was all I knew! I only followed her blog, no one else. I was such a newbie! That photographer quickly rolled her eyes and stated that Jstar was just a glorified sorority girl. What?! What does that even mean?! I have no clue, but I do know that I grew increasingly defensive as I argued with her. To be honest, I didn’t know anything about Jasmine. I knew that she was absolutely gorgeous, that her daddy was a preacher just like mine and that she had a large obsession with this little fur-ball named Polo. That’s it. And yet I defended her because I believed in what she was doing. There was something different about her and I loved it. Jasmine was changing this industry, one post at a time. Today we learned that the old model of photography industry doesn’t work anymore. In a social culture filled with social media, you HAVE to connect relationally and Jasmine has mastered this! She and many others are transforming this industry and it’s awesome!
Two years ago I started a daily habit of checking her blog. I fell in love with her classiness, her writing and her ability to make anyone laugh at their computer screen. She has a gift… an amazing gift. This gift allows her to engage and inspire young photographers like me and I couldn’t be more thankful or honored to have her as our photographer. Jasmine, keep touching lives and leading this industry with grace and humility.
Ps. Can I just say that Jasmine will seriously stop and talk to ANYONE and EVERYONE. I’ve only been with her a couple of times and she’s constantly swarmed with people that just want to talk to her. I almost feel guilty that Michael and I get her all day on 10.10.10!
Dane Sanders and Julie Kost!
In today’s world, the idea of a “healthy home” can feel overwhelming. With constant information about toxins, processed foods, and environmental risks, it’s easy to feel defeated before you even start. So I’m sharing our journey and the small, impactful steps we’ve taken towards a healthier home.
This week, Michael is sitting down with me at the microphone to join me on the podcast! When we started our Acton Academy journey, we had big dreams and very little idea of the practical challenges that lay ahead. Today, in year three of running our own Acton Academy, Michael and I are thrilled to reflect on the incredible transformation we’ve seen in our learners, our community, and even our own perspectives on education.
Photography is an art that thrives on creativity and technique. If you don’t have the basics of lighting and posing down, this tip won’t work- but if you’re looking to elevate your style, this is for you!!
In this episode of “Doing Life Differently”, I sat down with my friend Catherine Guidry, a luxury wedding photographer and educator, to discuss the challenges and rewards of personal branding. Cat and I dug deep into how sharing more of ourselves—while still maintaining boundaries—can transform our businesses, relationships, and personal lives.
This is not a technical review filled with specs, but rather a practical perspective on how the R6 Mark II performs in everyday photography situations!
I had the pleasure of chatting with Erica and Jon, two incredibly talented photographers and educators who have redefined their business and life by embracing change. From leaving a corporate career to transforming their wedding photography business into a thriving brand photography venture, their story is full of inspiration for anyone looking to take bold steps and live life on their own terms.