Anyone who has talked with me in-depth about the beginnings of my photography career knows the name Jasmine Star. Flashback to April 2009 — I’m at a huge library work conference and in my hotel room late at night. A co-worker friend had recently seen my personal photography (still absolutely just a hobby at this time, with zero intentions of taking it further) and asked me to shoot her wedding. I disliked like weddings in general at this point … I mean my own wedding was 4 hours total and only about us and what we wanted (small morning garden ceremony officiated by a friend, then brunch at our favorite music venue). I never thought of shooting weddings, at all. But I said yes, knowing Emily would let me shoot it my way in my style.
I ran to a bookstore and bought every book on wedding photography possible, including one that mentioned Jasmine Star’s name. That night, in my hotel room, I opened her blog and I read every single post … venturing all the way back and through her old blog as well … until 4am. I knew then, that this … shooting weddings professionally, traveling the world to do so, meeting the most amazing and passionate people, was the life I wanted. More importantly, because of Jasmine and her words, I knew that it was a reality and I could do it … that I didn’t have to come from a background of privilege to have my dream career. Before this very night I’d always brushed aside my desire for a photography/art career due to my need for security.
From that night through today, Jasmine has been a force in my life. I’m indebted to her eternally for all the knowledge she has shared with me through her blog, emails, her workshop etc. Oh yeah … in November 2009, I attended her workshop. It was there I met her and we talked at dinner. It was one of those right-place-at-the-right-time things … I’m grateful she sat down next to me toward the very end. And we connected. I never would have approached her myself to initiate a conversation … I am (or was) too scared to do those things. And I hate feeling like a fan girl … like really a lot I hate that. Jasmine was and is one of the sincerest and nicest people I’ve met. There is more to say about this encounter and what it meant to cynical little me … but I will say that I felt like our encounter set something in motion … a real friendship based on more than just photography. My oftentimes dubious self had no doubts that we’d stay in touch … and I’m really lucky to have her — with all her realness, talent, ambition, care, and heart — in my life. At the risk of using an over-used sentiment, I’m truly honored to call Jasmine a friend and I am so dang full of pride and love for her today because she WROTE A MAGAZINE.
This isn’t just any magazine. It’s legit. Promise Tangeman did the design and wow, yeah. Although it’s full of beautiful images, it’s not your light and fluffy fashion mag … there is a lot of text. Really, this is a book, bound in a magazine’s format. Jasmine shares untold stories from her life and goes in-depth about the first years of her business … from how she booked her first weddings to how she dealt with industry gossip and competition. Every story had me captivated, especially The Copycat. That story sticks with me … and when I’m getting a little upset that a local photographer is designing a new logo/site that looks alarmingly similar to mine, I remember that story and I have an attitude check.
I could write so much more … but really, you should be over at her site checking this thing out. I’m beyond proud of Jasmine … such an achievement … it was a labor of love. Anyone who is a professional wedding photographer or has aspirations of becoming one (or, if you just like to read about that stuff), do yourself a favor and read this magazine. Jasmine wrote all about it HERE. Go go go. xo.
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A special thanks to my good friend, Nikki N, for helping me out. Always love having her shoot with me … so fun.
