Ashleigh and Brittany: Anytime

On my last day in SoCal, Brittany Moncrief and I made our way up the 5 Freeway to Ashleigh's home in L.A.  Having met just two days prior, we bonded as we sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic, discussing our careers, the workshop we had just attended, and our faith.  This talented Tennessee gal instantly won me over with her charm and southern belle accent, and I feel so blessed to call her a peer and a friend.

Ashleigh Henning is a tiny girl but she packs a big punch with her energetic personality and infectious smile.  She loves deeply and cares passionately, and this is what makes her such an amazing photographer and friend.  Acting as our local tour guide, Ashley gave me directions as I drove the three of us to Santa Monica.  We loaded up on sugary baby cupcakes at Vanilla Bake Shop and then put into practice what we learned at Jasmine's workshop - find the light and look for natural light reflectors!

Ashleigh will be coming to DC in July, and I'm so excited to be 2nd shooting a wedding with her!

Brittany just won a pass to WPPI, and I can't wait to see her again!

Many thanks go to Elena Galaviz for doing a beautiful job on makeup! Pin It

New Friends in New Places

Prior to the J* workshop each attendee was able to reach out to the other attendees and check out their websites and blogs.  We were all so excited to see who else we would be learning alongside.  During the weeks and then days leading up to the workshop, strangers turned into friends and we couldn't wait to finally meet each other in person.  Kristy Dickerson and I met up at Laguna Beach the day before the workshop to enjoy the beautiful weather and for some headshot swaps.  The light was warm and welcoming, and we had so much fun getting to know each other.

The beautiful and talented Kristy...

Melissa Manzione landed in SoCal after a long flight from the east coast, drove to her hotel, changed clothes, and came out to meet us shortly before sunset.  And even after a long day of travel, she still managed to look effortlessly amazing!  One of our most exciting discoveries is that Melissa and I live in the same state.  It was so great meeting someone that I knew I could see and hang out with again once I returned home!

We didn't have much time for headshots, but I was able to come away with a couple photos of my beautiful new friend....

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Jasmine Star Workshop: The Photoshoot

Not only is Jasmine an amazing business mentor, but she is, quite obviously, an amazing photographer as well.  She put together a photoshoot for the workshop and demonstrated how she finds the light and poses her clients.

Here is Jasmine explaining how she works her magic...

Jodi is an aspiring model, and if the photoshoot was any indication of her potential, I see great success in her future!

Jodi and Matt, you were an amazing couple to work with.  Your love for each other came through in every pose and every interaction.

Designer Joan Shum provide the glamorous wedding dress that Jodi was wearing.  That corset is stunning!

Vivian Tran of All Made Up Team did a sensational job with Jodi's hair and make-up.  What I wouldn't have given to have her for MY wedding!!

Can I just say again how awesome these two were?!

The Treasured Petal provided the fabulous florals for this shoot...

Jodi was breathtaking in her Noaki Jewelry.  Simply stunning.

Thank you to Photographer's Edit for providing lunch for the day!  Here we are fueling up before the photoshoot...

Thank you again, Jasmine, for all the wisdom that you shared, for being an open book, and for being such an inspiration!  Words can't express my gratitude!

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Home Sweet Home

The early morning was dark and thick with fog as I made my way to the airport.  I called Chris after sitting down at my gate and we chatted for a few minutes.  And after I hung up I cried.  Right there.  At the gate.  My trip was exciting but exhausting, and I missed seeing the love of my life and my best friend every day.  I couldn't wait to get home and be comforted by his loving smile again.

My plane began boarding and I stood in line for my turn.  Then, as I began my walk down the breezeway with my camera bag strapped to my back and my suitcase purse hanging from my arm...I bit it.  Hard.  My foot slipped from under me and I landed with the grace of a pack mule failing to gain traction on ice.  It was nothing short of spectacular.  With a busted foot and a bruised ego, I picked myself up and limped to my seat on the plane.  The flight attendants treated my wound with antiseptic and wrapped it in gauze, then called someone to take a look at it.  He said it looked pretty bad and got on the phone to see if they could get medical personnel out to the plane.  Okay, not really.  I meekly asked for a band-aid to cover up my bleeding injury, and they gave me that and a rubber medical glove filled with ice to help with the swelling.  No lie.  They don't keep ice packs on hand for people who don't know how to keep their two feet underneath them when they walk.  Thankfully, I made the rest of the trip home unscathed. 

Chris picked me up at the airport and we went to dinner to celebrate his birthday (which is actually tomorrow, but he's leaving on a snowboarding trip for the weekend with friends).  So I have arrived home to the shock of 40 degree weather after being spoiled by 80 degree Orange County.  But, I'm so excited about all the photos I have to process, and you'll be seeing those throughout the next few days! 

Because I've left my last 2 posts without pics, and we know posts are always better with a photo, I'll leave you with this...

Leaving sunny and warm Cali and arriving in snowy and cold Virginia:

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Jasmine Star - The Workshop

My head is swirling and overflowing with information - in a good way.  A very good way.  Yesterday's workshop with Jasmine Star was open and honest.  We listened intently as she shared her story of how she started out (and I even CRIED at one point...can you say LAME?!).  She talked in depth about building your business and brand and how to get out of your business what you want out of it while managing client expectations at the same time.  She was a wealth of knowledge and insight, and it was evident the passion she has for what she does.  The Workshop was inspirational and grounded at the same time - as I sat there I felt like I was listening to the Tony Robbins of the photography world.

I also met some of the most amazing people and was inspired by the driven and determined spirit we all shared.  Friendships were formed among peers sharing common goals and aspirations.

Mid-day we participated in a photoshoot in which Jasmine showed us how she finds and uses natural reflectors, and she shared her camera settings with us so that we could see how she exposes for scenes.  The evening ended with a fabulous dinner of Italian foods - carbs to replenish our hungry bodies as well as our hungry spirits.

Jasmine and JD, thank you for all the effort and hard work you put into your workshops - it truly shows through all the special touches placed on each and every part of the day.  Your generosity knows no bounds.  (And I loved that I got to meet your mother!)

(I'm on a borrowed laptop, so I'll have to post pics when I get back to the east coast!) Pin It

California Dreamin'

I'm taking a break from packing to write a quick note about the trip I'm leaving on tomorrow.  I fly out to Orange County at 9:20 tomorrow morning for the much anticipated Jasmine Star workshop.  I'm anxious, nervous, and excited all at the same time.  I can't wait for the things I will learn, the people I will meet, and, of course, meeting miss J* herself!  She does not know it, but she has been instrumental in my decision, drive and determination to make my dreams a reality.

And this trip comes at the perfect time.  I'm ready for sun and 70 degree weather after the record snowfall and bitter cold we've had this winter.  So as of tomorrow afternoon, I'll no longer be looking at brown leaves and gray skies, and my dreamin' will end when my flight lands in beautiful, sunny California!

And, now I'm off to celebrate an early Valentine's Day with Chris, complete with sesame and orange chicken, and a movie! Pin It

Last Tuesday was my birthday, and I feel like it's been a week full of happiness and excitement!  My sweet friend took a day off work in order to treat me to lunch and lavish me with gifts, then my dear hubby drove us through the middle of a mini snowstorm to take me out for a birthday dinner. 

Friday was supposed to be girls' night (and come to find out a surprise b-day celebration for another friend and me), but was postponed due to an epic snowstorm of at least 26 inches in one day.  We lost power for about 20 hours due to a blown transformer at the front of our neighborhood, and had to snuggle under big blankets next to our fireplace while the temperature in our house dropped to 50 degrees.  (While this seems romantic, chattering teeth and numb extremities are not!)  Food from the refrigerator was placed in bags and put out in the garage, and the items from our freezer were tossed in large trash bags and buried in the snow to keep from perishing.  Oh, and we put the beer in the snow too, because, you know, we couldn't let that get warm either!  (I then took this opportunity to clean the freezer and refrigerator...can you say OCD?)  Flights were cancelled, roadways were impassable, and news of the epic storm made its way to TV stations across the pond.

Despite the mess the snow caused, our families braved the roads and came to our house for a birthday celebration yesterday.  For this, I cannot be more grateful.  I have been blessed with the most loving, kind and simply wonderful family one could ask for.  And for my birthday, several folks chipped in and bought me one of the new loves of my life (ranking right up there with God, my husband, and my cats) - a brand new Canon 5D Mk II!!!  Truly, I feel like one of the luckiest girls alive!

And this was the temp in our house.  (Meat thermometers do not lie.)

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