On Thursday Jasmine Star talked about how she began building her portfolio and showed some images from one of her first photo shoots.
Who in the world takes pictures like this on their first ever engagement shoot? J* amazes me.
Within three years she was taking pictures that look like this.
So at first I started to lose hope. Maybe I’m not going to reach my goals, improve as quickly as I had hoped. And how could I ever hope to measure up? But then I started reading through her first photo blog (starting at the beginning)) and I began to feel inspired. She writes so openly about her insecurities which help me with mine, but even more helpful are the little hints she drops that tell how she did what she did. She networked like crazy, and that’s a weak point for me right now. Changes are a comin’ for me.
After spending some time reading through her archives I started to have some more hope for myself. I went back through some of my photo posts and looked at how much I’ve grown in only 4 months and gave myself a little pat on the back. And then I gave myself a kick in the pants because if I want to catch up with Jasmine 32 months from now I’ve got a lot of work to do.
My first shoot:
And my latest:
June 27th, 2009 on 4:04 am
Do you think guys are like this? I feel woman doubt themselves all the time. I deal with it big time, where others see that I do great, I just can’t seem to pick up on it. I am working on it though. And now I read about your insecurities and wonder wonder wonder WHY? I am sure when people leave you comments, they mean it. At least I do and your insecurity or doubt is so NOT in place here. Still I understand that you do doubt and are insecure at the beginning of this new career. I do hope that you can take our comments seriously (they not only come from amateurs) and that you can let them sink in. You deserve it!
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June 27th, 2009 on 5:27 am
Your work is awesome and you are so generous with your information. I have learned so much from you.
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June 27th, 2009 on 5:36 am
Jenna, you and I were probably reading Jasmine’s old blog at the exact same time, for the exact same reason. I love that! I have to admit I didn’t read everything – a post practically every day for two years? Yikes – but I tried to skim and read everything to do with her photography and how she grew and got where she is. The main thing I noticed, like you, is that she managed to get second shooting gigs with a ton of big names! Networking? She ROCKS at it. I don’t know how to do that. But I am attending a workshop next month held by a big-name photographer here, so hopefully that will put me on the right road.
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June 27th, 2009 on 8:41 am
I was going to email you about this today, but when I saw this post I thought perhaps it belonged here instead! I sent my mom the link to your bluebonnet bridal shoot as an example of some of the kinds of shots I want in bridals, and she said “I just wish I knew this girl so that I could tell her what an amazing job she did!” So you’ve now got southern mama endorsement
Good luck!
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June 27th, 2009 on 9:35 am
Jenna, I see you the way you see J Star
I too struggle with insecurities so thank you for posting this! I plan to read through it.
My last thought is just that photography is a constant state of learning. Maybe remembering that will help ease the worries a bit.
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June 27th, 2009 on 10:51 am
I read that post on Thurs & was a little blown away too, but it had such great advice.
I found her old blog about a month or so ago, & I almost emailed you to tell you about it (not sure why I didn’t). Isn’t it fantastic/inspiring/motivating? I even bookmarked a few posts to lok back at later. J* really is amazing.
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June 27th, 2009 on 12:52 pm
You are doing amazingly! I am continually impressed, with each and every shoot. Keep striving. And we’re behind you 100%!
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June 27th, 2009 on 8:49 pm
You’re fantastic. Honestly, you are really brilliant. And you are an inspiration to the many fledglings who read your blog.
I have been reading Jasmine’s blog for a while and take so much from it. As a result of her blog, I emailed a tonne of friends and asked them to do shoots with me. I’m currently drafting an email to ask some girlfriends if they’ll pose for bridal shoots – I just need to find some not-too-hideous second hand wedding dresses on the very cheap.
I agree on networking. It is something I am going to have to do – but I have found many photoraphers just aren’t interested in helping a girl out…especially because I don’t have a degree qualification in photography. I think it might be an Australian thing. Business owners are incredibly unwilling to help those that tread a path after them. If I make a success of photography, eventually, I promise never to do that.
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June 27th, 2009 on 10:03 pm
I love that you put them right next to each other (so to speak) so that you can really see how much you’ve improved. I would have said that your first photo shoot pic was great, why would you need to improve. But then you see your latest and it’s like, WOW! Great work, Jenna!!
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June 28th, 2009 on 1:45 pm
Jenna, I’ve been following your blog and writing for a while now – even before you were a bee! And I remember you way before you had wanted to start a career a photography and look at you now! You have come soo far since you first purchased your new SLR and now have a full-fledge business! You should be so proud of yourself. I learn more and more about photography from you everyday and you are my inspiration to someday start my own business. Thanks for following in the footsteps of J Star and sharing your journey and tips with the rest of us.
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June 29th, 2009 on 12:55 am
[...] the best part about this challenge? Jasmine Star (yes, the Jasmine Star I just posted about on Saturday) is the guest judge. Which means she might be taking a second out of her busy life to take a look [...]
June 29th, 2009 on 2:02 am
I loved her post, I feel like I am beginning to get overloaded with work right now and need to raise my prices. I loved her advise. She is an amazing photographer
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June 29th, 2009 on 1:51 pm
Hi! i just wanted to take a minute and say that you have improved SO MUCH! And let me pass on a piece of advice that David Jay gave me (and I think is the most simple concept and yet totally overlooked): Don’t compare yourself to others… it’s easy and we get caught up in it as photographers… but the most important thing is that your client is happy. That is all that matters! And often times, their favorite picture is the one that is slightly out of focus and someone’s foot is cut off
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