For the past couple of weeks, my best friend, Brianna, stayed with us. She's a professional athlete, just finished her summer track competitions in Europe, and didn't want to head home quite yet. So she stayed with us. Because JD and I work from home, I warned her things may be, well, not your average workspace.

I often get asked about how JD and I balance work and life (in fact, Sarajane asked: So, my question is, how did you start teaching JD about your business and how do you balance being a business owner with being a wife while working together?), so Brianna offered to give a little perspective into what work days look like…but first…here's an iphone picture of Polo…because I miss him so much…

I've known Jasmine and JD as long as they've known each other. I was there the first day they met and I've seen them grow together and learn to compliment each other. From what I can tell, that's how they've made their business successful. They just compliment each other. I have no idea what it's like to work with a spouse or to work from home. But seeing them do things their way makes sense in an odd sort of way.

Their day starts before I open my eyes but from what I can tell it includes dog walks and Jasmine's trip to the gym. Once she gets back I usually find her on her computer standing up. I'm not sure why, but I think she feels like she has missed so much in that hour and a half that she can catch up faster if she doesn't take the time to sit. From that point on, she basically rocks it out in front of the computer(s) and randomly talks back and forth with JD using one of his 37 nicknames about everything under the sun in between pauses in the playlist she's singing along to.

JD's main job seems to be everything else. I know Jasmine takes care of the big stuff, the stuff people see every day, but he stays just as busy, just without the singing. His other super important job is making Jasmine not go crazy. Sometimes it's suggesting that an Indian Buffet for lunch is more important than editing pictures. It's also his belief that an afternoon matinee when you are extremely stressed out trumps answering an endless amount of emails. I think he's on to something.

People in this house might not get dressed for the day until 9pm at night. They might have a to-do list a mile long but still find time to walk the dog five times a day. They might break out in song and dance at any given moment. But whatever might seem unconventional, works well for them. They compliment each other. Always.

Cara asked
I see you posting pictures from your trip to Italy, what camera do you use? What lens are you using? How do you carry it?
I'm traveling with my Canon 5DMII and when I'm shooting around the city, I travel with the 50mm, 1.2 lens. Everything from our trip has been documented with this lens and I simply carry it around with my in my purse…I think some of you saw how big it is! 😉

Kristin asked
I just had a prospective client email me and ask if I have a business license. I don't have one, and of course I will be honest with her that I don't, but is this something that I need right away?
I don't the legal technicality of business license requirements (they vary from state to state), but I definitely think it's a good thing to have. I procured a business license a few months into my business as it allowed me to qualify for a Leather Craftsmen sample album, and really pushed me into making things legit.

Amy asked
Do you edit your images on the laptop all the time (as in RAW edits) or do you primarily work from a desktop when you get home?
I do most my editing from a desktop at home, but my laptop is calibrated as well (for those interested, I use Eye-One Color Management) which frees me to edit on my laptop as I see fit.

Happy Thursday!