Learn from your elders

Have you ever had a moment that made you want to quit your passion? I thought I already had this moment, but on Saturday night it was revisited. Sheila said it was better to watch for the first time than shoot so I didn't bring my camera. Little did I know that she was going to ask me if I wanted to shoot anyway. We were inside the Church waiting for the ceremony to start when Sheila says, "Want to shoot?" I froze. I almost cried a little tear of joy. I was nervous. Part of me wanted to say no, but most of me was saying "Hip hip hooray! This is it! This is my chance!"

Sheila then hands me her old camera. By old I mean old, elderly, gram and pop camera. I had no idea how to use it, and Sheila wasn't even sure if she remembered how either because it was that long ago. You had to press two buttons in order to get to the setting you want. I don't know why, but that's how it worked. There were plenty of thoughts running through my mind at this moment, but mostly it was "Don't screw this up. Don't screw this up." I took a couple of shots to see if I got the hang of it. So I did, and it was fine. I thought I was set. Then the music starts, and one by one the bridal party slowly processed towards the altar. I start to take photos and after 4 or so I looked at the screen. Each one was blurry, overexposed, and overall bad. I was shocked. I was petrified. I wanted to melt into the floor. I thought to myself "you are screwed. sell your camera and go back to recreation for a living." Struggling to figure out what went wrong, I tried to delete the photos to save myself from humiliation. But guess what? The delete button doesn't work. FML so hard right now. There I was trying to figure out this camera that I had no idea how to use when I see that the setting was on aperture priority instead of manual. Don't ask me how that happened because I had no clue. I play this moment over and over in my head and I can't remember or figure out how it went from one setting to another. I'd blame it on the old camera, but I won't do that. Instead, i'll say it's a lesson learned :)

My experience only proves that photographers should really know their cameras inside and out.

To be honest, I'm glad that everything that went on that day happened. It's a bump on the road that I chose to take. I want to learn as I go, and get better at what I do each day. Thank you Old Camera for the lessons you've taught. You'll always be in my heart, and in the stories I tell when I'm older.

*A little note: Sheila had to take a break before the reception started. She gave me her fresh, young, and fabulous camera to shoot with. She and I had a connection. Jack Johnson wrote a song about us, and he called it "better together" :)

The truth.

"No, I didn't go to photography school. But I thought I would. It wasn't until my good friend David Jay talked me out of it. I was too afraid to teach myself and try to make things work on my own...so I thought school would be the best route. He said going to school for wedding photography wouldn't be worth the time or investment and if I was up for the challenge, I could make things work. I just had to believe they could.
Three years later, I'm writing on this blog as proof that anyone can learn photography and follow their passion if they're willing to try, fail, and try again." -Jasmine Star

Hooray, Hooray!

Is there a rule about blogging more than once a day? If there is, then I'm going over to the bad side. Some rules are meant to be broken.

First, my Shootsac has not arrived yet. I am starting to get really really angry. Ok, well not really. But I'd really like my Shootsac with a free cherry cover please.

Second, I'm shadowing Sheila Garvey tonight. I love weddings, and the fact that I get to follow a wedding photographer around is pretty sweet.

Third, I shot an incredibly cute couple this morning. That's with my camera of course ;) It didn't help that today happens to be the hottest day of the year in San Francisco, but they still rocked it. Here's a preview!

Portraits: Michelle MacCarthy

"Shut up Gladys!" is what she kept saying to me as we walked through the crowded streets of the Embarcadero on 4th of July. I in return said, "Shut up Michelle!" (I'm great at comebacks. Can't you tell?) I don't even really know why we kept saying it to each other. But it was funny. That night seemed like it was the end of the world, when in reality it was the end of a fireworks show on Pier 39. I've always known that Michelle was legit, but that night I decided that she definitely is my favorite future cousin in-law.

Michelle is Chris' cousin, and I think the world of her. She's a Chiropractor, intelligent, and obviously beautiful. Chris and I don't get to see her often. But when we do, it is always a good time.

Thanks for the fun shoot last night Michelle. You photographed like a doll with those Barbie pink lips. Loved it!

P.S. I think you should choose the first photo for marketing ;)

This is it...

It's a perfect day in San Francisco. People are slowly streaming into the Grove on Fillmore street. Coffee, Iced Teas, Croissants, and other breakfast goodies are waiting to be served. As I sit facing the window, it's huge frame turn the street into a live action photograph. I sit here and think to myself, "This is it. This is what I want for the rest of my life."

Why? Because it's a beautiful Saturday morning. I sit here in the Grove on my laptop taking a break from editing Michelle's portraits that I shot last night. At the same time, I am sippin on a huge glass of iced tea and nibbling on a croissant that I will not finish. Conversations are happening all around, and everyone is happy. I am relaxed, but excited for the day to come. An engagement shoot in about an hour, and time to spend with my fiance after. Afterwards, some more editing. It's perfect because I'm happy and doing what I absolutely love. This is what I want for the rest of my life. Happiness with my life, love, and job!

Leave your worries behind and make today your perfect day!

Happy Saturday!

Love: JD and Michelle (Part 1)

She has the kind of beauty that you don't see often but wished you had. Then you meet her, and her intelligence will blow you away. He has a heart of gold, and a magnetic personality that you can't get enough of. You'll always want him to be around. Together, they are JD and Michelle. Truly two of the most amazing people I've ever met, and one of the most perfect couples I've ever known.

You can see it in the way they look at each other. You can hear it in the way he talks about her, and the way she talks about him. You can feel it when you're in the same room with them. It is undeniable. These two have the love that you wish for when you are younger. The love you want when you are older. The love you want to have for the rest of your life.

JD and Michelle. These are for you. Thank you for letting me capture the beauty that makes the two of you. Love you both so much. Can't wait to see you in a few weeks :)

Momma & Poppa

I spoke to my mom and dad on the phone earlier today and my dad says "you haven't posted anything today!"

It made me smile a big smile.

Thank you for reading my blog everyday, and supporting me with my dreams. Don't worry Dad, I'll give you the first set of business cards when I get them ;)

Love you Mom and Dad!!!

Merci Beaucoup

The love of my life once said, "people helping people, it's a beautiful thing!"

Here is my version of Thankful Thursdays (Tuesday Edition)

1. My fiance: For believing in me from the very beginning. For pushing me to reach for my dreams, and to never settle for less. For looking absolutely adorable even when you are in a cast. I love you.

2. J.D. Posey and Michelle Ripple: Thank you for letting us stay in your fabulous home this weekend. We love you guys very much. Also, thank you JD for working on my website. I am so excited for it.

3. Rebecca Gholdston: Thank you for sending me a very unexpected email today. As I said in my reply to you, it really made my entire semester. It's really great that you thought of me!

4. Joe and Lynn: Thanks for driving the camera to Chris. But most of all, thank you for letting me use it :) Love you both!

5. Jordan Tabak: Thank you for meeting with me today and sharing your wedding photography knowledge. I really appreciate it.

People helping people, it really is a beautiful thing!

*Side note: I've made a promise to myself to not post anything without a photo. So here is Miss Austin looking mighty adorable. She is definitely my favorite cat of all time. JD and Michelle are lucky to have her :)

Love: Louis and Charmaine

I've known Charmaine since we were in middle school. If I wanted to make a fool of myself in the blog world, I'd say that we used to sing in front of the bathroom mirrors before class started. But i'll save myself the humiliation and say that we've been best friends ever since :)

Louis is her boyfriend. A perfect fit if I may add. Currently in law school here in San Francisco, I have him to thank for taking care of one of my best friends. Also, because of him, I get the chance to see her every now and then when she visits him. All I have to say to that is "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, OY OY OY!"

The wooden roller coaster

Earlier that Saturday afternoon, we watched photograph after photograph pop up onto my computer screen as it loaded. Words I'd want everyone to use to describe my photography were said. It felt incredible. I felt like I could do anything.

Then later in the evening, we were eating dinner and having a great conversation. All of a sudden, I'm in tears, and hands over my face embarrassed. Shocked and frustrated at how quickly my emotions went from one to the other, I stood next to JD in tears. The thing is, my confidence is a wooden rollercoaster. It creaks, it's rocky, it goes up and down, and all around. All I kept thinking to myself was, "How in the world am I going to make this happen?"

But the answers were right in that room with me. It's the man I'm going to marry. It's the woman who put a box of tissues in front of me. It's the man who put his arm around me as he gave me words of encouragement. It's my friends, it's my family. The people who have supported me from the very beginning. They believe in me. They believe in my photographs. They believe in what I do. That is exactly how I'm going to make this happen.

Because of them, the wooden roller coaster is no longer running. No more creaks, no more ups and downs. Just a land of photographs, happiness, and opportunities.

Engagements: Christine and Chris

It was 6PM on a gorgeous Sunday evening. We met at the corner of Duboce and Sanchez. They on the other hand, met through playing in a San Francisco soccer league. Talk about scoring a goal :)

It was such a pleasure of mine to be able to shoot their engagement photos. They are such a beautiful couple filled with lots of laughter, and love. Thank you Chris and Christine for this opportunity. You are absolutely fabulous.

I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Hollywood

Chris and I are currently in LA hanging out with our good friends, J.D. and Michelle. We are so happy to be here relaxing with them before I have to head back to school on Tuesday. Good friends, good weather, and good company. I'll also be shooting with my new 85mm f1.8 this weekend :) I'm doing a shoot with J.D. and Michelle. Keep a lookout!

Happy Friday!

Follow the leader

Last week, I met with Sheila Garvey. A professional wedding photographer here in San Francisco. I am very grateful to have had the experience to talk to Sheila about her work. What lenses she uses, destination weddings, how she got started, etc.

The other day, I received an email from her asking if I'd like to follow her during a wedding on August 29. I mean come on, really? Holy smokes! I DO. I DO. I DO. I DO.

I will be able to see first hand how Sheila works with her clients, what shots she takes, how she takes them, what lenses to use for what shots, and how to photograph weddings in general.

I am excited that she has asked me to come along. It will be a great learning experience for me. Go ahead, tell me you're excited for me.

No turning back now...

This is it. I'm putting myself out there. I'm not looking back, just forward because...

"No dream comes true until you wake up and go to work." -Anonymous

I'm wearing my heart on my sleeve. I'm going on this journey. I don't know what the road has in store for me, but I know exactly where I want to go.