Jasmine Star, CreativeLIVE, and What Is Going to Change Here

I signed up with CreativeLIVE a few weeks ago, because they offer these amazing, free workshops online that range from graphic/web design to photography. Well, I was elated to hear that Jasmine Star was going to be doing a two-day, twelve-hour workshop on starting your own wedding photography business.

Today was the first day. And it was amazing.

I learned so much from the three hours I watched – I couldn’t watch all six hours – and I totally appreciated everything she had to say! One of the biggest things I came away with was this -

It is better to fail at something you love, than to succeed at something you hate.

 

Everything in context, of course. =) But the point is that you need to love what you’re doing. And that is so true. Sometimes necessity dictates that you hate your job – you just need to have it no matter what. But what is the best is to love what you do. Because you will put who you are into it, and you’ll do well.

The other big point I loved was this -

Your clients and fellow photographers must trust you, and you should care for them as real people, not just as opportunities.

Big deal here. It isn’t about being smooth, professional, and perfect all the time. It’s about being real, being open about who you are. Jasmine said that what made her pick her wedding photographer (and this was before she decided to be one herself) was because of his personality as it was displayed on his blog and website. She liked him as a person, as well as his photography. It wasn’t just that he could get good photos. It was that he shared who he was with everyone.

So, how does this relate to me and you? Well, I’m taking Jasmine’s advice. I’ve always kept up a very professional, smooth front (at least, that’s what I’ve tried to do! =D), but I’m done with that. How can any of you, or any prospective clients, get to know me if I keep up that front? So, my faithful followers, I am dispensing with the formality. I’m going to be me. And if you love it, wonderful! If you don’t, that’s okay too. Because I want you all to know the real me – who the girl behind the camera really is.

P.S. I took these photos of my brother a few weeks ago – he loves making movies and music, and he asked me to do these for him. ;) (You know – album cover types) We had a lot of fun with the shoot.