I'll likely sound crazy for saying this, but it's true: I can feel energy when I walk into a room. I've been like this since I was a kid. My mom claims I was an inordinately perceptive and discerning child, so I simply grown accustomed to this idea. Last Tuesday, I stood in front of a group of talented photographers and the energy was, well, just…off. I felt a nervous charge through the room and while people talked and smiled, I knew things needed to shift to a place where our dreams were worn on our sleeves.

At the beginning of The Workshop, I asked everyone to introduce themselves and share a pressure point in their photography business. What unfolded in 20 minutes of introductions was real, authentic, and uncommonly honest. As each photographer shared their goals for the day, the energy shifted so dramatically I knew the attendees wouldn't just walk away as stronger photographers, they'd walk away with a group of new friends.

The Workshop focuses of The Eight Components of Branding and how to brand a photography business. The day started nice and early and we spent a portion of the day learning how to shoot for your brand. We worked with a real couple, Tarek and Farida, and a lovely team who made the shoot possible…
Hair and Makeup: Beauty by Melina
Florals: Krista Jon
Wedding Dress: Ferndales Bridal

I plan the shoot for midday, which is traditionally the harshest light to photograph a couple. Beyond technical instruction, I challenged the attendees to work with the couple in order to convey what they wanted their brand to represent. Together we worked to improve our posing, articulation, and natural progression…

Farida and Tarek will be getting married next year, so this was great practice before their big day!

One of my favorite parts to teaching is seeing a photographer blossom in front of the class. Sure, it may be difficult to work in front a group of peers, but seeing another photographer harness strength in posing progression and understanding movement between two bodies is darn right fulfilling…

The light this afternoon was rather bright, but sometimes a challenge makes for a good photo…this one of my favorite from the shoot…

“I thought restarting my business was going to be changing my workflow, my packaging, my email interactions with client. Little did I know that when I walked away from this workshop that the first step, and possibly the most important step, would be changing my attitude and my internal dialogue.” – Jennifer Dawe

“Jasmine Star never once made me feel like I was the baby of the group. I felt very much treated as an equal, she seemed to have full confidence in me, I honestly walked away believing more in myself, and not in some cheesy motivational speaker kind of way. She believed in everyone there, and basically I felt like she was there saying “I am here to help you succeed, and you will succeed.” – Camille Pahl Williams

“She immediately put us at ease, by making jokes about anything and everything, but also by reassuring us we were in good hands as she confidently led the group. I knew I would gain tons of knowledge from Jasmine and I knew she would challenge us in ways we hadn't been challenged before, but what I didn't anticipate is that I would leave feeling so much love and respect for two people.” Christina Carter

“One of the best parts of The Workshop was meeting so many other neat photographers that are having some of the same fears, dreams, and aspirations. I hope to keep in contact with these lovely people as we all grow together. I am also walking away with a wealth of knowledge and more insight into the world of photography. Jasmine strives to make her images fun and fresh and that is exactly what The Workshop is all about!” – Ginnie of Roots Photography

xoxo…

At the end of the shoot I gather everyone for what I know will be my MOST favorite photo of the day. These photographers (and now friends) are destined for amazing things. Collectively they band together for a bright future and the passion to take their careers to new heights. It was day filled with the most amazing memories and I can't thank them enough for combining our journeys in the photo world.

If you'd like to join us for a future workshop, feel free to sign up for the NEWSLETTER since it's announced there first.

Happy Monday!