Dreams + Aspirations

   In the past month I have been hiding behind my computer for a reason. No, not because I was avoiding you or the blogging. My one and main reason was to keep my mind clear from thinking nothing but one thing – RE-BRANDING.

 
   Past four years I have been known as Imagine Photography By Jasmine. Over these long and challenging years I learn, I developed and I bloomed. I went from not knowing how to handle my camera to running a successful business. The chances of working alongside with other talented photographers made me develop my skills and see the “wedding day” from different prospective. Yes, no wedding was like the other, and that was the key. Each photographer handled the situation differently and each had their own way of interacting. I have been lucky, as I had the chance of seeing and selecting the fine methods out of all.

   So I grew and now it is time to say YES to risk and do the next step up. From now on I shall be known as Jasmine Photography, still fun, simple and fresh.

   I am currently working on my new website and will announce when it is ready for you to have a look and share your opinions. 

With Love

Jasmine
   XO

Happy Valentine's Day

  "Mummy, why do people celebrate Valentine's Day?" - my daughter asked innocently.

  "This is another reason to say that one person about your true LOVE and why they make you feel so special" - I replied.

  "But I don't have a boyfriend?!?!?"

  "Don't you worry, little one. Your time will come too" - I laughed.

  This year Valentin's Day was more like a family day in, filled with love and laughter. We cooked and baked, we had drinks with frinds and shared the fun. The best thing in our home is that we don't wait 'til Valentin's day to say "I Love You". We love each other every day. And surprise gifts are given whenever we want to. And my husband being himself, surprised our daughters and myself with thoughtful gifts. Alas, this time there was no chocolate involved.

   As we danced the perfect day to the end yet again I felt blessed and loved. I am grateful to God for my family and I am thankful for His love.

  

Happy Valentine's

Jasmine

Wedding Photographer | Booking for 2016

   Today I am beyond excited. Today is the the first day for what I have been working hard for all these months. This is the way it will carry on, since I am on track now. I had a long way of reaching it and a harder way of learning it. But I am proud of myself as I laugh on the face of fear of unknown. I have just booked my first 2016 wedding and I couldn't be happier.

  Last year this time I had no bookings or contacts to make things happen, but what I had all the time was my HOPE. And here I am not only nearly booked for the current year, but taking booking for the following year too. 

   This particular bride found me through my blog, which proves that at least she has been reading my blog. To my question why me, she answered that she liked the way I shoot. "Your photos are natural and beautiful". Well, I am glad to hear you like my style. What she still doesn't know is that she will experience more than naturally beautiful photos. There will be so much fun and laughter involved in it as well.


  

   Stay beautiful.

With love

Jasmine

Parklands Quendon Hall | Nathan + Lisa

   End of last year I had the absolute pleasure of documenting the wedding of Nathan and Lisa with lovely Kate Towers. The love birds got married on 16th October in Quendon Park Hotel in Essex. Surrounded by deer in 100 acres of land and beautiful warm autumn weather, this venue was the perfect and one of the most picturesque places to get married.

                     

   The morning of the wedding started quite nervous for Lisa, but her support team was great - mum, sisters and friends and even the flower girl was there by her side. Flower girl was being extremely helpful - sharing the attention of the bridal party with the bride herself. I mean, she had reasons to behave so: 

• cute
• smiley
• super photogenic

         

    

     The entire bridal party of juniors, that joined her later were all like that. 

   On the other hand, Groom was cool. His Best Man and himself got ready way before the guests started to arrive. When I met Nathan I could tell, that he couldn't wait to meet his bride.

  
    After the beautiful ceremony we left the guests to enjoy their drinks and we headed for Nathan's and Lisa's first portrait shoot as husband and wife. I must say, they both were so in love with each other that they couldn't take their eyes off each other.

   This day was filled with love and laughter, emotional speeches and care. Thank you for inviting me to share your beautiful day. Lisa and Nathan - your wedding was a success, from start to end. 

   And to end this post I want to share this father and daughter special moment. It was very touching and emotional.

   With Love

   Jasmine

Many thanks to the creative team for making this wedding day so seamless:

   Wedding Venue: Parklands Quendon Hall 

   Baloon Decor: The Part Box 

   Chairs: Cover Your Chairs

   Wedding Photographer: Imagine by Jasmine and Kate Towers

Instagram: Imagine by Jasmine

Facebook: Imagine by Jasmine

My Birthday This Year

   I like today's date, honestly. 15.01.15 Looks rather pretty :-) and I feel particularly pretty today myself. After all I am rounding up my age today. I am not having massive meltdowns any more as I grow a year older, instead I am accepting my age as another year wiser. NO, I am not claiming to be The Wise Owl, but If I compare Jasmine five years ago, or even two years ago to Jasmine sitting in front of the computer now, I see big difference. If I could speak to Jasmine from five years ago, I'd tell her not to waste her time on unnecessary things and, quite frankly, people too. I'd tell her not to pay attention to what others say. After all no one can be everyone's friend.

   Last year was a very happy year for me. It was filled with surprises and inspiration, meeting new friends and travelling, tasting the life in a different way and having fun. I am truly bless to have my supporting and loving husband and happy children to surround me. I am One Lucky Gu'l to do what I adore to do - Photographing Women (Brides, Bridesmaids, Sisters, Mothers, Mothers-in-law, Daughters, Aunties and Grandmas)...ok, sometimes men too :-)
   I am a true believer, that if you say your wish out aloud or even write it down, they do come true. So here is to the New Year of New Me. I am ready to do more of what I love to do, meet more people and travel further more.

   Age is just a number. My body is a lot younger just my mind is a lot wiser.


   With Love


Jasmine

Better Than Last Year

   When I was blogging in the beginning of last year (2014) about my journey into the art of photography I had a very little clue of how I was supposed to make it work. One thing I knew was that I loved photographing women. Why women? Because we are BEAUTIFUL. Something inside me was telling me that blogging is the right way to start. Sharing thought, ideas and experiences. Yet I didn't do a lot of it. 
   A year ago I was sat in front of my old laptop and didn't know how to ask people to let me photograph them. A year ago I didn't know how to let them know about my existence at all. I mean, how hard could that be? But all was I doing was chickening out. Yes, just like a chi-cken. Oh for god's sake, I wasn't going to charge them anyway. But I was scared. Scared of rejection and criticism. My fear to be judged was greater. I allowed my fear to guide my action. I know, it was wrong. 

   I had long arguments and disagreements with myself, just like you would have with a child. I gave myself a time frame and if I had no success in a year time I'd just give up on my dreams and hopes and call it 'I have tried it'. Then I started my long and tiring google searches. I  wrote to countless wedding photographers in my area asking them to allow me shoot with them as a second shooter. Some replied with rejections. Some never came back to me at all. Only 3 replied and were happy to take me on board. I couldn't be happier. What more could I ask for. I had real Bride and Groom to practice on and learn about the progress of the day from photographer's point of view. 
   So my year started well as soon as I put myself in time frames. It surprises me how we, as human beings, work well under the pressure.
 

  So what did I learn during past year?
1. Don't chicken out. There are people that are just like you - down to earth and the popularity hasn't killed their humanity. There are people that are ready to help. Just ask. 

2. Believe in yourself. This is a big one. If you do not believe in yourself you won't be able to convince others what you are passionate about photography. No one will ever trust you if you doubt yourself.

3. Set your goals. At the end of the every year take an hour or two to think, analyse and make decision on what are you going to work towards the following year. Some people call it a New Year's Resolution. I call it My New Goals for New Year. 

4. Take action. It's certainly isn't enough being creative, especially now, when there are creatives all around us. Get out there and let people know about you and your passion. Thank God for social media availability. 

5. Be YOU. Be transparent. Don't try to be someone else and don't be hard on you.

Stay positive


With Love
Jasmine


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