without hesitation and with great excitement she blurted out her name faster than I would finish my question. we headed over to Jasmine’s blog- clearly she possessed something rare. I was blown away by her writing and inspired by her undivided pursuit of her goal- to be a GREAT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER.
fast forward a couple of years later and I’m visiting with my friends Vania & Christine and I see a photo of the two of them and Jasmine- I asked if they were fans & again, without hesitation Vania called her “her muse”… coming from Vania & Christine (who were on their way to changing the photography industry & have done so… you go girls!) it held great weight with me.
I began to read her blog.
Like the 50,000+ others who love her, i was hooked. In a thousand ways I can relate to her journey- namely the fact that she was a law student & in pursuit of all things right & just ( i was journeying to become a prosecutor- law school was what i knew i could do- it was logical & “the smart thing” and then… God redirected my path- thank goodness!) and settled light years away from a law degree & a case load that would bring tears to anyone’s eyes.
I’ve learned a lot from reading Jasmine’s blog. When i think about her journey- the word that comes to mind is BRAVE. (possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance)
She photographed a wedding LIVE in front of the world- really? who does that!? and with great hair the whole time? stop. it. really- she has california girl hair… always beautiful. (we texas girls don’t stand a chance,- they don’t know what humidity is there)
She blogs faithfully- it’s funny- when i go a month or more without checking my favorite blogs- i always know what I will find when i return to her’s… she has created a brand that is as much about trust in her follow through as her photography skills.
She has changed the game. She continues to make the Photography Industry better- sharing love, wisdom, and truth over and over.
AAAAAND as if that isn’t enough- she has shoulders and arms for days… really- who can wear sleeveless dresses & shirts like her? it’s nuts.
I remember reading that she was challenged by a friend to write for 30 days. I remember her saying that she didn’t know where to begin & that some days it was harder than others.
When her writing project evolved into another game changer- a magazine she calls EXPOSED i was thrilled to order a copy and support her.
as I turn the pages the words that come to my mind over and over are- “You make me want to be brave.” it’s one of my favorite lines in Brave, a Nicole Nordeman song- the lyrics really speak to the heart of us all… it’s about not looking to the left or right… but being brave & risking it all- even being willing to fail.
If you get a chance- and you are in search of inspiration- or a muse to encourage honesty from within the deepest parts of you- read jasmine’s blog & order EXPOSED if she decides to do a second run (it sold out) if not- keep an eye out for volume two… i have a feeling she stills writing
by Shauna
2 comments
Shauna - i know molly! i hope she stirs great things in you… i’m always motivated by her!
Molly - Thanks so much for the recommendation, I have been reading through some of Jasmine’s entries and I love it! I haven’t come across many people that are self starters and really use social networking to such advantage.