So…it’s been a week since I was in New York City to share in the experience that IS Jasmine Star. She is an internationally known photographer based in California…and I would totally believe it if she was the reason for their blue skies and sunshine.  ♥

When I first heard she was traveling the country visiting selective cities for a one night only seminar, the FIX,  I immediately cleared my calendar and made my plans to go.   It wasn’t long before a Facebook page was created (for each city she was scheduled to visit) and I started connecting with other fans heading to NYC to see her too.  We shared in about 2 months of hype together online, making connections, posting pictures, ‘friending’ one another, liking business pages…and eventually making plans to meet in NYC before the big event.  Matching the faces to the comments, and getting to know each other personally was fantastic.  And being in NYC, naturally I had to partake in Cosmopolitans! 

After our visit, we all walked the streets together (and I have to mention how awesome the weather was for MARCH in NY…no snow, 45ish degrees, perfect), and made our happy way to the building and anxiously awaited Jasmine’s arrival.

There were elevators at the end of the filled hallway that let up a small group at a time.  I was SO glad to be at the end of the line, because just before I was about to get on, Jasmine and her Husband J.D. walked in and were standing right next to me!  I gave her a huge hug hello as she passed by (and gave a big smile to J.D.), and stared with perma grin the rest of the night.

(note to self: wear MORE eye make up and comb your hair after coming in from a windy walk when having your picture taken) 

I absolutely love listening to Jasmine speak.  She’s real.  And she’s speaking for US.  She built her business so quickly, and it’s all because she trusted in herself enough to go there.  She uses the struggles we experience as her strength.  This is how we relate to her, our struggles connect us and she reminds us that we’re not alone.  “Make the struggle, make sense.”  “What do you WANT to do?”  “Without a destination, you will always be lost.”  “Success is the preparation for the end.”

In between, she is giving sage advice on the business side of photography while helping us to get to know ourselves better so that we can go forth and fully express it to our clients.  And in pure Jasmine style, there will be a ‘Holla!’ mixed in, with one of the most genuine giggles I’ve ever heard.

During a break, I walked out onto to the terrace to look around…what a view!  As I looked down, I saw the tour bus with ‘Show It’ on the side.   Sometimes I forget how I first come to know about a photographer out there because there are so many ways to hear of them.  I remember perfectly for Jasmine.  I was at a photography conference 2 years ago called Photo North East – which is coming up this week…if you’re a photographer in the area, you should totally go!  The speaker I was most interested in hearing was David Jay.  He was exactly the person I needed to listen to that year, and I’m SO thankful I had that opportunity.  Besides everything he spoke about on the business end, he was the Wedding photographer for Jasmine Star, and that’s how we were first introduced…been following both of them online ever since.

As we gathered for the end of her seminar, we were presented with questions from the group, and many answers that I am already applying to my business model.  It’s really difficult for me sometimes because all of my skills and the drive that I have inside me is for photography…the art, the capture of a single moment that is preserved for a lifetime.  All I want to do is to share the memories of our lives, as beautifully as I can … and to continue improving the way that I present them, while trying to contribute financially to my family and our future.

I do not have a head for business…at all.  It’s really unfortunate for me because I let things slide, I put business last…and in the end…if I’m not careful and don’t use the business advice I’ve been given SO many times now, I could lose it.  I recently won 4 times in a row with the same person at Chess.  To me, it was just for fun and I guess it just comes naturally.  This person believes that I should be able to plan ahead, make the right moves to prepare for my future, and that I am smart.  I am surrounded by positive influence…so it’s up to me to make the most of it.  These seminars give me the boost I need, and help me to know that I’m not alone.

“The mind is like a parachute…it doesn’t work unless it’s open.” -David Edmonson

In closing, I am going to take the time right now to list 3 of my strengths and weaknesses…I can’t move forward until I know what’s holding me back:

Weakness:
I lack confidence
I don’t believe your compliments, or that you really like me
I support others success more than my own

Strengths:
I am genuine and appreciative of even the smallest of things that others may take for granted
I am compassionate and always want to help others
I am a mother.  This takes a lot of strength and I need to recognize that for myself.

No Jasmine, Thank YOU for traveling to all these cities, taking the time to share your vision and excitement for us, and for helping us to remember that we’re not alone in our struggles.  You are making it possible for us to unite in our success ~ together!

And ladies… Yes, J.D. is a sweetheart…but back off… “Every kitten has her claws!”  – Jasmine 

I also want to mention that Jasmine created a Magazine, ‘Exposed‘ … an incredible compilation of her work, her wisdom, her stories…for her, for us.  I brought it with me, and was so grateful to have a minute while she signed it to thank her in person for all she’s done for us.  I chose this page, ‘The Art of Confidence’ knowing that this is the thing I need to work on the most… and to see her signature, and remember our moment together, will help to get me there. ♥