Mark and Kim

Don’t get me wrong, Kim said as she was talking to her hair stylist, I love being around everyone, but I just wish Mark was here with me…he’s the best companion.

Kim sat in between two mirrors and her reflection bounced in many different directions, a reflection that embodied eager anticipation to see her future husband. Occasionally she’d take a few deep breaths and smile afterward…the wedding day had finally arrived.

Mark and Kim spent their afternoon together under the golden sun and azure sky sharing their vows with each other and later entered the reception ballroom to the sounds of cheering and applause. The maid of honor gave a heartfelt speech and everyone clinked glasses, saying Cheers! along the way. The best man, Mark’s brother, delivered a beautiful speech and explained how Kim became a major part of their family when she helped the family get through the loss of Mark’s father a couple years ago. Tears were shed, but were quickly replaced by three raucous congratulatory chants in Japanese, Bonzai!...Bonzai!...Bonzai!

Mark and Kim, thanks for sharing your day with me…Congratulations and Bonzai! ;)

Here are a few of my favorites…




Kim explained that Mark wanted to get her a special wedding gift, so he picked out her wedding jewelry on his own and surprised her with it...









To their wedding in its entirety, CLICK HERE for a slideshow!

Special thanks to Drew for coming out and helping me shoot before JD got to the wedding...I can always count on that girl!

Infidelity

I’ve always considered myself a good girl. A loyal girl. Monogamy is something precious and the cornerstone of a healthy relationship. I’ve always thought that nothing could come between JD and me, but another male has entered my life and now my love is torn in two. I know this blog isn’t the place to talk about love triangles, but I need to come clean.

When I landed at LAX—coming home from WPPI—JD pulled curbside and jostled my bags into the trunk. Then I saw him. Not JD, I saw him. The thing I’ve always desired in a relationship finally came to fruition…he sat in the passenger seat and looked at me with gazing, beady eyes, licked his lips and shook the hair on his chest. Yes, he’s hairy. As in covered in hair.

I’ve wanted a dog for months. No, years. I’ve wanted a dog for years. I’m home a lot on my own and it can get lonely, so I’ve begged JD to open his heart (and…ahem…his wallet) and buy me a furry friend. Well, it looks like my waiting days are over. I couldn’t be more excited!!!


I was practically in tears bringing him home because he’s the most precious dog in the world. No, really, he’s the cutest thing ever. Like dog model cute. And he’s a canine genius. Sure, he runs into walls and can’t jump off our bed, but behind his perky ears lay the next big thing to challenge National Geographic’s, The Dog Whisperer.


Today we spent the entire day together running errands—the people at the Canon Service Center in Irvine just loved him, the office workers at the post office cooed over his docile posture as he lay in my arms, and the baristas at Jamba Juice threw in a free wheat grass shot for me…people, the dog is my new lucky charm.


So while my monogamous days are over, JD is okay with my new dispersal of love. I mean, with one look from this puppy, he’d melt anyone’s stone heart.

Unfaithfully Yours,
Jasmine*

WPPI Update

Whew. I'm tired. Things have been go-go-go since I arrived, but that's pretty much how WPPI goes every year, right?
Sunday night, after a full day of Shootsac-ing, a group of us headed over to Sara France, Lauren Hillary, and Anna Costa's "Super Swanky Soiree" at the Bellagio. The room was packed with people, but it was great meeting new people and catching up with old friends. Here's a picture of me with my very good friend and personal wedding photographer, David Jay

I didn't bring my own camera (can you believe I don't own a point-and-shoot camera?!?...hint, hint...my birthday's coming up soon!), so I snagged pictures from DJ's and Liana's blogs.
One of things I like best at WPPI is rooming with new people...Liana and I have been roomies for pretty much everywhere I've gone, but this year it was nice to meet Roseanna and Chanel...


Yesterday I helped out Liana with her WPPI presentation--which went super well!--then headed off to help Mike Colon for his tradeshow floor presentations, then ended my day helping Jessica with the Shootsac again. In the evening, Liana and I went to the Champagne Shootout to assist Mike with the shoot and because his model didn't show up, he had to use his new intern (and our roommate), Roseanna, to model for the demonstration. Liana and I ran back to our room to grab a few outfits for her to change into...and we also grabbed her bikini! :) At first Mike was shocked--literally--when she stepped onto the stage in her tiny two-piece, but things worked out totally well!

If Mike wins again this year, Liana and I decided to take all the credit! :D

After the Shootout, we went to the BluDomain party with Mike. The party was held at the Palms Hotel in the Bowling Suite and everyone had a great time! There was this cool photobooth at the party, so of course we had a little fun...


I'll try to post more, but I'm off again!

Viva Las Vegas

Well, I'm in Las Vegas for WPPI until Thursday...woohoo! My internet access is limited, but I'll be staying on top of it as much as possible.

Today I hit the ground running! Jessica Claire, [b]ecker, Marisa, Keats, and myself totally turned the Shootsac booth upside down. Jessica's bags were the hottest item on the conference room floor and the feedback was amazing...I mean, they're so cute, how could they NOT be getting rave reviews?!




Wish me luck while I'm out here...I'm not a gambler in any way, but there's this HUGE slot machine that I have to pass everyday in the Paris Hotel lobby that beckons me the way sirens used to lure drunken sailors out to sea. It sings to me and the thought of hitting one big win is enticing! :)

Melissa and Josh : Engagement

We drove onto the San Pedro Air Force base as tall palm trees extended their heads toward the blue sky. After previously submitting my name and personal information for a federal background check, Melissa and Josh were able to get me onto the base for their engagement photos. Walking through the lush green parade grounds, Melissa recounted how she met Josh. Having earned her degree from Stanford University, she procured a job with the Air Force…where Josh serves as an engineer and consultant. During a company BBQ, she saw Josh sitting on a bench and approached casually. Here’s where the story has two diverging accounts…
1. Josh says Melissa pursued him and couldn’t stay away from him.
2. Melissa says Josh was pleasant during their BBQ conversation. A short time later, he asked her out. She vacillated just long enough to make him a little nervous, then accepted his invitation.
For some reason, I believe Melissa. And this is not only because Josh told me he was a professional model…and a professional soccer player…before becoming an engineer ;)

We spent the afternoon laughing until our sides ached and that’s when I realized what made Josh and Melissa’s relationship so special: Their joy for life seeps out from their buoyant personalities and spreads to those around them. Even though Melissa has battled health complications and surgeries, Josh’s ability to make her laugh is truly what makes their love apparent.

I’m truly honored to be a part of the totally awesome wedding they have planned at Shutters on the Beach in August…I can’t wait!

Here are a few of my favorites…













To see their engagement session in its entirety, CLICK HERE for a slideshow!

Ni and Reza : Engagement

The park sat still while raindrops danced lightly on flower petals. They were standing close to each other trying to keep warm—she in her satin black dress and he in his tailored suit. Reza and Ni smiled and waved from a distance. The minute Ni and I were within close proximity, she reached out to give me a big hug. She may be small, but she’s a big hugger. We had never met before, but she was sweet, genuine and completely sincere. And, Reza, well he’s like chocolate bit at the end of a Drumstick Ice Cream Cone…a total treat. They’re so fun to be around and we spent the overcast morning laughing and brightening each other’s gray day.

Six years ago, Reza and Ni met in college and fell in love. It’s a pleasure watching the two of them interact because even in the silent moments, they’re communicating. Through touch, a light breath of air, anything. The thing I noticed the most throughout the shoot was that Reza took time to make sure Ni was in a favorable light and positions…something tells me this goes beyond the realm of photography and into their personal lives as well.


Here are a few of my favorites…








To view their engagement session in its entirety, CLICK HERE for a slideshow!

Colonel Ironarm

Ah yo fahnilly done with dem two? The man stood just off the path and asked me this question as if we had been friends for years. He spoke with a southern twang, as if the words from Zora Neale Hurston’s book Their Eyes Were Watching God sprung up off the pages and drifted into the cold air that stood between us. I looked around to make sure he was speaking to me. I had just finished an engagement session and parted ways with the couple, and while I noticed the homeless man watching me throughout the shoot, I didn’t think he would stop and talk to me.

Yes, I’m finally done with them! We had such a great time.
Then, out of nowhere, he asks, Yo wahna be mah screen savah? Here, lit meh sho yo… The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone. He asked again if I wanted to be his screen saver. I agreed only on the condition that I’d be able to take his picture as well.

So there we stood. Two strangers from very different worlds capturing each other through the same medium.

In his shopping cart were blankets and clothing and what I assume are the only things belonging to his identity. I asked him his name. Mah name’s Colonel Ironarm, he said with a proper salute, leaving his right arm diagonally extended just long enough for me to know he had plenty experience saluting. He went onto to explain that he served in the Navy during Vietnam and, he guesses, fell onto some hard times when he got back to the States. We spoke for a few minutes. Once the rain began to fall a little harder, I said I better get going. I fished for whatever cash I had and told him to get something hot to eat. He thanked me profusely then said, Ah nevah got yo name…was yo name? I told him my name and said it was honor to shake a man’s hand who defended this country with honor.

When I finally got to my car, I shook the rain droplets from my hair, but had a harder time shaking off the sense of melancholy that rested so heavily on my shoulders.

I usually keep this blog politics free, but I just want to remind people the next time you see a soldier or a serviceman, be sure to thank them. Regardless of the issues belying the war in Iraq, there are women and men who are fighting to protect and reserve our freedoms to both support and oppose the war. What a beautiful thing.

Colonel Ironarm, even though you’ll never read this, thank YOU for your service to this country…

Lauren and Kyle: Engagement

He’s always smiling when she speaks. She doesn’t betray her knowledge of his happy gaze, but willfully basks in his adoration. Lauren and Kyle met in high school, but have spent their college years thousands of miles apart—San Diego State and Notre Dame respectively. As they walked along the Laguna Beach coast, Lauren spoke and Kyle continued to smile. The gray sky didn’t damper their moods, but, rather, incited a playful nature and the two of them hugged, dipped, and walked along the shore.

They’ll be married in July and I’m excited to be a part of their day!

Here are a few of my favorites…
Something tells me that with a pretty face like hers, Lauren is a girl who gets what she wants from Kyle! ;)





I’ve been shooting in Laguna Beach for a while now and I’ve always wanted to shoot at this cool wall JD pointed out a few months ago. After our beach shoot, Lauren and Kyle awesomely agreed to go to the wall and have a little fun…




To view their engagement session in its entirety, CLICK HERE for a slideshow