WPPI & Jasmine: System Reboot!

You know how sometimes your computer just isn't running right? Programs are opening slowly and things are glitchy? At those times it seems the best thing to do is just to shut everything down for a moment and restart the system afresh. This is the best analogy to my experience at the Wedding and Portrait Photographer Int'l convention this last week in Las Vegas.

As I walked into the gigantic expo hall filled with thousands of photographers I felt like I was in the shut-down moment. I had been feeling glitchy for a while, like my photography skills and development were just not going exactly as I wished. Upon entering that throng I felt a total melt-down of any confidence I had remaining! All these products, all these people that I knew nothing about! I clung piteously to my WPPI badge, as it seemed to be the only thing left granting me any kind of right to be here, or any validity at all. I paid my entrance fee!

But as blank and black as the shutdown always is, the reboot inevitably follows. I started to make my way around the hall, listening to conversations, engaging in a few of my own. People were helpful, people were friendly. And I was capable of talking about lighting, of talking about albums, and print quality, and work flow. I started to realize that I wasn't an outsider here, I was actually a part of this group! My fear turned to excitement. I ended up walking the expo until my feet had blisters and I gave up on ignoring my hunger pains.

If the expo was my system restart, then my AM shoot with Jasmine Star was the reopening of programs, the getting back to work again. Shooting with Jasmine was like working without the glitches and the hesitation that had been plaguing me. She works in a way that is fast, fun and loose. It seems effortless. She keeps her energy high and her stress low. I learned so much in such a short time. Thank you Jasmine for helping me to relax and embrace the joys of photography!


Shooting freely, embracing natural light. Not worrying about reflectors and flashes!

Utilizing props, constantly engaging with the subject to keep it upbeat and fun!

Jasmine with her "gun" out of its "holster", always ready .

Traveling light, Jasmine directs her clients in a strange area with gorgeous light.

Jasmine working together with her 2nd shooter (and husband) in the middle of the Las Vegas strip. She never makes clients do a pose or action more than twice.

Playing with distance between the subjects, Jasmine shows us how the unconventional can be beautiful.

Shooting with her 50mm, Jasmine keeps things really simple.

Jasmine lets her clients change the pose if it is not working. But she is always giving them feedback!

If you don't got it, fake it! Jasmine always brings confidence to a shoot, and has back-up fail-safe ideas to keep her going.

Stairs always present a good location. Take advantage sez Jasmine!

Get that hair smoothed out! Watch for the details, don't rely on Photoshop!

Turn hips away from the camera. No one likes a "crotch-shot!"

Keep your clients feeling comfortable. It was FREEZING up on this bridge, but Jasmine kept it moving fast, and kept the couple upbeat and laughing.

It was obvious that Jasmine's priorities on the shoot were these (all of which I intend to adopt today):
1- Make clients feel comfortable by demonstrating confidence and warmth
2- Make great images by having comfortable clients
3- Make great images by understanding light and your camera

My photographic operating system has had a total reboot. I have a new perspective on the people in this industry and my place in it. I am so excited now for the future and where Corliss Photography is headed. Thank you Jasmine, and thank you WPPI!


*The bonus shot*