11.08.10
Crash Taylor interviews Jasmine Star
Tell us a little bit about Jasmine Star...
Well…I like any type of chocolate, can spend all day at the beach, and spend too much time writing for my blog!
Where is home?
Orange County, California.
Did you go to school to study photography?
No.
How long have you been a photographer?
Three years.
What or who got you started in wedding photography?
I was at UCLA Law School and I was truly depressed at the prospect of becoming a lawyer. For so long, I thought it was what I wanted, but I had a hard time admitting I was wrong. During school, my mother had a relapse with brain cancer and I took a medical leave to be with my family. During that time, my boyfriend proposed and we planned a wedding in Hawaii.As I searched for wedding photographers, I completely fell head over heels with photography. When I found my wedding photographer David Jay (www.davidjay.com), I knew it was a perfect match. His imagery moved me, challenged me and inspired me. Shortly after returning from my honeymoon, I made the decision to leave law school and pursue my dreams of being a photographer.
How would you describe your style?
Fresh, young and fun.
How many weddings do you average per year?
Between 25 and 30.
What type of cameras do you shoot with?
Canon EOS 5D MkII.
If you had to choose one lens, which would it be and why?
A 50mm, 1.2. This lens has changed the way I shoot and how I see a moment unfold. I adore shooting wide open, and if I was able to shoot an entire wedding with it, I would!
What lighting equipment do you take on a shoot?
I’m a natural light photographer, so I don’t use my Canon EX 550 Speedlite other than at an evening reception.
Can you describe how and when you use flash, video light, reflectors and natural light during a wedding?
To be honest, I’ll shoot with natural light until the very last moment I can. I love the realness and the raw imagery natural light produces, so I’m flashless until the evening reception…and even then, I’ve been known to shoot at ISO 2,500-6,400 to salvage a perfectly good moment without the use of flash.
How important is Photoshop in your final images?
I view Photoshop the way I view salt: it’s the perfect way to flavour a delicious meal, but too much can ruin the main course!
Do you plan on buying any new equipment, and if so, what do you have your eye on?
I’ve been itching to play with the 35mm 1.4. I primarily shoot with the 50mm 1.2, 85mm 1.2, and the 24mm 1.4, but the 35mm seems like it would make me very happy!I use Queensberry albums.
What wedding albums do you supply your clients with and do you design them yourself or outsource the design?
I use Leather Craftsmen albums, and I outsource the design. I realised early on that designing an album isn’t enjoyable for me, and because I decided early on to only do things I wanted to do, outsourcing became a viable option and I’m happy with the results.
How do you feel about cropping an image?
I’m neither for nor against it, but I don’t crop. I realise it’s advantageous for many photographers, but cropping just isn’t my thing.
How did you begin to build your brand?
Building the brand began organically. And by that I mean things just started happening the more I was myself. The more real and transparent Ibecame, the more people related to who I was as a person, not necessarily as a photographer...and this made a huge difference. Building my brand wasn’t dependent on my images when I first started (even I can admit I had no ideawhat I was doing!), but centred on the idea that brides hire photographers, not photographs. I learned this early on, since I was a bride before I was photographer, and in the process of choosing my own photographer, the final decision was based on who the person was, not merely what they produced.
What importance do you place on social media?
Social media has become an integral piece of my business...so much so, I’ve worked it into my workflow. After a wedding, I create individual websites for my clients via my Showit website, and embed it in Facebook. I then tagthe bride, groom and bridal party in the application and it notifies their friends in their feeds. I’ll then use Twitter to share a link to my blog where the wedding is featured, along with an online slideshow that clients can pass on to their friends. These post-wedding components are the most powerful elements of my marketing campaign. Essentially, I enable my clients to spread their images (and also my name/brand) online easily and effectively. This has become priceless in my business structure.
Why do you think you have succeeded when others have failed?
This is difficult to answer because how is success defined? I might be a success in comparison to some others, yet a failure in light of other powerhouses. More than anything, I just want to ensure my clients are happy and they’re empowered to share their images online in an easy and powerful manner. If this is happening – in my business or others – then we are equally as successful.
Do you think the American spirit in marketing works internationally?
This is difficult to answer with a blanket statement. To say that American marketing works internationally might be a stretch, but I can confidently say that marketing YOU (the person, artist, creator behind the lens) definitely works in every corner of the world. I fully believe wedding clients want to connect with the photographer as a part of the nuptial investment in the person who is documenting their first day as husband and wife.
How did the idea for your website come about?
I’m constantly inspired by fashion magazines and editorial spreads, so when I designed my website, I was heavily influenced by these elements. I cut literally hundreds of pages from my favourite magazines to come up with ideas, feels, and vibes for the site because I wanted to ensure my clients felt the same way I did as I viewed my favourite magazines. Essentially, I want my clients to feel like models on their wedding day.
How many images do you average per wedding and how many do you usually present to your clients?Between both shooters, a wedding will likely yield about 2,500-3,000 images, but a client will see 800-1,000.
How do you make the bride and groom, bridal party etc feel relaxed ?
I try to make people laugh and I’m 100% myself on a wedding day. I talk to my clients and somehow in the process, they relax and just enjoy spending time in each other’s arms.
Have you ever had anything go wrong at a wedding, and if so, how did you handle it?
I’ll never forget the time I ripped my trousers while shooting a wedding. I knew they were too tight, but because I wanted to prove a point to my ego, I wore them anyway. As I was shooting the bride’s shoes, I bent over and felt a cool rush of air kiss my bum and I instantly heard a riiiiiiip! I nearly died. No, really, I stopped breathing long enough for me to have a heart attack. Luckily, I wore a long shirt, so I buttoned my suit jacket, and pulled the shirt as far as it would go. I’m sure I looked like a hot mess, but I finished shooting the wedding without a hitch! Moral of the story: Always pack an extra pair of trousers.
What do you feel is the most challenging thing about photographing weddings?
Anticipating a special moment.
Do you belong to a photographic organisation?
Eeak! I know I should belong to some, but I don’t. I feel like I’m breaking a rule!
One way you market Jasmine Star Photography?
I market myself primarily through my blog, as it’s the best way for me to connect with my clients and readers.
Do you advertise? If so where?
No, I’ve grown my business via word-of-mouth advertising.
Something you’re still learning?
How to say no.
Which five words would your friends use to describe you?
Loyal, funny, driven, honest and caring.
If someone said: ‘How can I be the next Jasmine Star?’ What would you say?
Don’t ever aspire to be someone you’re not. You’re entirely and uniquely amazing, so always aim to be the best version of yourself at all times.
Where next for your brand?
As silly as it might sound, I try not to look for what’s next for my brand. I’m always looking back...to where I started, who I am, from where I’ve come. If I forget – or if I think I’m more than I am – it means I’ve walked away from the very thing that’s made me successful: working hard, keeping it real, and making my clients feel fabulous. I want my brand to embody this notion and I work hard at staying close to this mantra.
www.jasmine-star.com
www.jasminestarblog.com
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