Allowing my personality to be part of my branding is going to be one of the most difficult things that I can do in my life. This may totally backfire on me! But I have to try! I honestly think that along this journey, I will overcome so many trials, and learn so many things about myself that can only benefit me! Someone once asked me, “What defines you?” I never wanted to answer that question honestly because I did not like the answer. But the truth is… I have allowed the tragic death of my mother to define who I have become as a wife, as a mother, as a friend, and as a person! How sad is that? And it has only been within the last year of my life that I have realized just how truly sad that is. So naturally I have gone on a soul-seeking, life changing journey within myself, and have discovered that I can channel the memories of that tragedy into something positive!
As I am sure almost every other photographer in the world did, I tuned in to watch Jasmine Star on Creative Live this past week. Many of us sat in front of the computer all day long, while the rest of us rushed home to watch the re watch that Creative Live was so super sweet to show! In any case, Jasmine Star is definitely one of the greats, and when she talks I listen! What Creative Live was able to do by broadcasting Jasmine and JD shooting a live wedding is simply amazing! Those of us who have been Jasmine Star fans forever, up until now have only dreamed of being able to watch her in action! Like… this is totally bucket list material people! And I really am not sure that Jasmine, Creative Live, or the wedding couple Laura and Billy will ever know what they have done for the wedding photography industry this past week… yet alone know what they have done for me. What I learned from them this week has not been some fantastic photography skill or business plan. I learned something completely personal, and later realized that my personal realization is what is going to help me grow as a professional.
Throughout this live, online, five day, Jasmine Star workshop, Jasmine covered A LOT of topics and shared a TON of valuable information! I probably filled an entire spiral notebook with my notes… like for real! And I will be gradually going through those notes to remind myself of things that I need to focus on from time to time. But I wanted to discuss the one thing that I was able to walk away with from Jasmine’s workshop that really meant the most to me… Branding and Keeping It Real!
When we think of branding, most of us think about logos, colors, paper patterns, and even marketing materials. And while all of that is important (which by the way I need some help with if anyone knows anyone,who knows anyone) I think it is also important to think about personality! Don’t get me wrong when I say this… Jasmine Star has a gorgeous website, and spectacular blog, and one of the cutest logos I’ve ever seen! Her photography is fantabulous as well! But honestly… the one thing that keeps bringing me back to Jasmine is her personality! There are hundreds of cute logos and fancy websites out there today. There is a ton of talent behind the camera! But one’s personality is what really draws us to them, right?
Jasmine, throughout this workshop, kept saying it over and over and over again. “Keep it real!” I had to stop and ask myself what those three words meant to me. Those words may mean something completely different to someone else, but to me it meant that I needed to be honest with MYSELF! Right? So where do I go from here? Well…
I am super excited about the future! I know that I have the ability and the drive to continue to grow into a talented wedding photographer. But I’ve never given myself permission to just be me. I’ve always wanted to appear to my clients that I am an expert in my field, and that I am always at the top of my game. But the truth is, I am just as scared today at shooting a wedding, as I was three years ago when I shot my first! I mean… this is one of the most important days in a couple’s life! What if I screw it up? I need to keep it real, and understand that I may not be the right choice for everyone… but I know I am the right choice for someone! I just have to be myself! And I have to start letting my personality be part of my branding! And I have to stop letting tragedy define me, and start allowing myself to be happy! And it is important to me that I find a way to turn that tragedy into something positive… to give back somewhere, and let something so tragic from my past turn into something that I can be proud of.
So… as if Jasmine Star herself would EVER see this… a note to Jasmine! (Hey… it could happen!)
Thank you! I’m not really sure if you meant for people to leave the Creative Live event with a desire to go on a soul-searching journey, but I did! I’m sure you meant to help others find their shooting style, their branding, etc. etc. I’m sure you went into this past week hoping to challenge yourself even just a little bit more. But what I walked away from this with is a realization that I can’t define my style and my branding, as long as I allow something so ugly to define me! So thank you! Thank you for encouraging us to KEEP IT REAL!
Also… thank you for keeping it real yourself! It was fantastic to watch you during a live wedding! I think many of us were surprised that you are, in fact, human and that you sweat and everything! LOL!
And thank you to Creative Live! Bringing us “the greats” in the form of an online live, and not to mention FREE event is unheard of!
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