This January I participated in my first big bridal show, Sheldon Kagan’s “Salon de la Mariée“. As I started thinking about what I wanted to achieve at the show, the image I wanted to portray through my kiosk and the impression I wanted to leave with the future brides & grooms who would be visiting the show,…
The past month has been an absolute whirlwind of activity for me and looking back at all that I’ve accomplished – and the path I took to get here, it struck me how sometimes the universe, or God, or Karma or whatever you believe in, just has a way of making things happen in a way that is…
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I agree with Motti. You have always given 110% to everything you do and everything you do reflects that. Once again I’m so proud of you!!!!
Love this! I’m a believer! Such a great shot! Job well done Victoria.
Very well done! Someone once said that LUCK is spelled W.O.R.K and that the harder he worked the luckier he got.
You are right, we have to be open to opportunities and be open minded.
Keep up the great work!
Motti
Nothing like a little hard work and talent.
A superb post Victoria, from an affable and positive thinking person. Well done!
I was really impressed with the natural looking fox photo you took at a nature park in Montreal, which garnered you a top 10 position from more that 700 photographic submissions at the SPPQ (Société de Promotion de la Photographie de Quebec) photo competition a few years ago. This appeared to set you on the road to success.
Then we worked together on a photo shoot in May of model Scarlet James at the Hera Bell Studios, where you brought along a simple prop of a luscious red strawberry, that put your images… over the top!
Your inspired creations, are truly creative! I love looking at your work.
Best regards and good luck in your future endeavours.
Cheers,
Frederic
You rule – nuthin’ more to add.
CHeers!
Great entry, you are so talented!
As always – absolutely stunning photos Victoria!!!
Congrats Victoria! That cover shot is spectacular!
Great, positive entry Vic! And I stole your quote 
Your recent post goes to show you that you never know what is in store for you & the littlest thing may lead to a huge blessing.
Victoria not only is it fate, but your incredible talent and drive to learn more about your profession. Without ALL of these elements, none of this would have happened. You are an amazing woman and photographer and I’m proud to call you a friend!! Keep up the amazing work and keep posting your awesome photos – they inspire all of us (including me…one of the most amature photographers I am sure you know!!!)
T
xo
Nice post Victoria! You are extremely talented and I am so glad we tag along on some of our shoots. There are no doubts your dedication to the craft plays THE major role in your success. The fact you decided to jump head 1st into it shows you have what it takes. When ever I see the images you pull out of our sessions, there are always many of them I wish I would have thought of myself.
I am looking forward for our next outings and feel honored to be considered as part of some of your success.
I had an epiphany on the plane on the way home from Seattle. Lunch was being served and I had the choice between steak, salmon or pasta. I was wavering between the more adventurous choice of salmon and the safe choice of pasta and finally chose the former. The flight attendants came around with the…
26 comments
Hi,
I watched and have been watching CreativeLIVE.(so glad I purchased the event… I think I will rewatch 100x!) I decided to check out some of your blogs and I have to say that not only are your photographs beautiful but your writing also! Great, great, great job!
Hi Victoria,
Like Nicole said, many of us are in the same situation. It’s called evolving.
It is easier, mentally, to live in a bubble and ignore everything around. The learning process is much more linear but it also much slower.
As we will get more successful in our business we will let less and less influence in our work. The danger is that at one point we might stagnate and refuse to learn.
I hope that never happens to me.
Curiosity is what make us artistic.
Beautiful images and keep questioning yourself. All the time.
Motti
Thank you for being so open and honest, Victoria. I think this blog entry definitely speaks to many and I’m a part of that many.
Great post Victoria! Its great to get more of an insight into how you are developing as a photographer.
Your images are great and I fell in love with the first shot when I saw it, and the second because of the challenges you set yourself at cLIVE to try something new and different with the wider lens.
Both images are excellent and I’m liking the 3 words you chose!
All the best,
Sach
Hi there you plane demantler you ROFL 
Thank you for sharing your thoughts – I love both images.
This whole 3 words thing drives me insane (actually I’m already insane) been struggling with it ever since I can remember.
I’m going back now over all of my images picking out some faves (yeah they change from week to week too)-and trying to hone it in a bit more. Was talking about all this to hubby and he asked me if there was a market for eccentric/eclectic work (ROFL).
I’m glad you ate your cold salmon- I’m glad you liked it as well
Best,
M.
Gorgeous photos Victoria! I truly love both. ~ Beautiful post, by reading it, it made me reflect on my own style.
Hugs!
So, so, so proud of you!
Victoria, Thanks once again for an insightful and heartfelt post. Your journey gives voice to a lot of us out there trying to define ourselves and discover our path. Ever since i picked up a camera last November I have been waffling back and forth as to what I want my vision and voice to be in my pictures. Just now am I starting to have some comfort around my images and know what I want to evolve into. But in everything I want it to be a reflection of me. Keep sharing Victoria, it is getting encouragement and validation to us out there.
Love your use of the 14-24. Its a lens I have been dying to try out. Definitely able to get a distinctive look with it.
Sounds familiar Amazing that that is how we roll, isn’t it?
Love that you chose to go with what YOU really liked! Both pictures are great, bright and beautiful! And I LOVE the bold Theo one! Have fun exploring your 3 words!
I’m not sure where I first heard about the 3 words, maybe it was from Jasmine long ago…but I know it’s something I’ve always struggled with as well. I think I’ve come up with words that reflect my style, but there’s always doubt when you try something new or see something you like and wish you had created! I adore your colorful photo…maybe because that’s one of my words. =) I like your bold, bright, beautiful choice! It stands out in a sea of sameness. I love colorful photos but it seems so rare in the portrait world that sometimes I wonder if people would actually buy the images. But there’s gotta be a market for that, right? I’m enjoying watching your journey along with the rest of the Creative Live 5! =)
I love both photos! If I were a bride I would be attracted to the Theo photo for sure. Its fun, its happy and its colorful! love it!
Who would’ve thought that coming up with 3 words would be so difficult?? I’ve been struggling to find mine all week.
Victoria,
Thank you for continuing to share your journey with us! As a new photographer it is helping me to watch you all take the ideas that she gave out and continue to write about it. I am so grateful for the generosity of those who are sharing their learning. Thanks for being real with us!!
Beth
Victoria, I love your Theo shot! I love the way you processed it and think it is a stunning image. I really enjoyed reading this post. I’m not in business yet, but I’ve been trying to come up with 3 words to define my style since watching Jasmine last week. I still don’t have them yet, but loved reading your perspective on this.
Great post, Victoria!! I, too, had an epiphany on the last day of class. And believe it or not, you were even a part of it – in a connecting sort of way. 
http://bunny-trails.blogspot.com/2010/08/epiphany-focus.html
I was also one of the people who raved about your shot outside of Theo on Twitter. It is beautiful! I love your other shot, as well – two completely different styles, but the angle and lines and color pop are SO fun!! I think it’s great that you did something completely outside the box from everyone else.
I’m excited for you to see how your brand takes shape going forward.
Victoria – never doubt yourself. You are one incredible photographer (and woman!) The two photos that you chose are so reflective of you – they are unique, beautiful, and look at a subject from a different perspective. These are the qualities that I admire in you, and your photography is obviously an excellent reflection of your true personality!
I must say that I am a little disappointed that you didn’t go waaay out there and just order steak ;0)
Vic, I was watching you from home along with those 174 999 other internet people and I saw that part where you put up this incredibly different shot … soooo not the “typical wedding shot” and I thought it was incredible because I can see this one framed in someone’s house and to me that is the real statement of success!
I have also been thinking of what three words you could use and I think the words you picked really capture you. I have a few more B words for you if you need them but they may not be appropriate … like.. BFF.. (what did you think I was going to write???) xoxoMel
I was so in awe of the Five’s work. All so different, but all so beautiful. It’s so important for us to do our own thing and feel confident about it. And it’s so easy to look at someone else’s work and be envious. Resist the urge! I look forward to seeing your future work and resisting the urge to be envious myself!
As a side note, both in Google Reader and on your blog (I use IE 8), the photos seem ultra grainy, like oversharpened. Just not crystal clear, detracting from the lovely composition. Most noticeable on her hand in #1 and his jacket in #2. Thought you’d want that feedback…
Good posting Victoria. Keep doing what you do. People call you for weddings for what do, not because you’re images look like that other photographer’s portfolio. Continue refining your style and make it yours.
I do the same thing… create something I love and am proud of, and then look over at someone else’s blog and think… maybe I should have tried that, or edited my photos that way. And that hasn’t been a very good thing for me, because it’s made my style so… wobbly… I guess, for lack of a better word. CreativeLIVE made me realize that has to change; that I have to embrace who I am.
I LOVED your second photo, because it was so dramatically different from everyone else’s. I loved all the photos; all 5 of you are crazy talented. But your second one was my favorite because it was so… well… bright and bold.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, uh? I loved reading your post, it’s just so well written, and can relate to what you are saying so much – it’s just so hard to define the style that we have/want. When people tell me “I love your style”, I am like “I have a style???!”.
Eat the delicous salmon and be proud of your choices – even if you wonder about them, they are still what makes your grow.
Victoria: Jen and I [we are Nate's parents] enjoyed so much getting to “know you” through watching CreativeLive and through Nate. We have LOVED seeing your photography; you are already very talented and we predict great things for you. We especially love the photo on your website in which the couple is reflected in the table glass. And the photo above of Laura’s bouquet, set perfectly against her flowered dress, is absolutely gorgeous! Ready for a magazine! Great work . . . bold, bright, and beautiful!
Thank you for posting this! I do this too…all the time…and it’s nice to know I’m not alone.
I love this post Victoria! I admire you for being different. At the end of the day it’s what makes you happy and what you want out of life and photography. Bold, Bright, Beautiful…that is so you! keep up the good job!
Stephanie, looks like it was a mutual-envy fest – I LOVED your two shots!! Can’t wait to see more… when you’re back from your honeymoon
Darla, thanks so much for your comments, I’m glad that you feel like you know me – that means I must be doing something right! If you’d like to know the story behind the rainbow, check out my very first blog post: http://www.victoriasperspective.com/hello-world/
What a beautiful and insightful post! I actually had photo envy of YOUR stuff. You should be proud of yourself for being different from the rest of us. Your images were “gorge” and your 3 words seem very fitting. Keep raising the bar!
Great job! Just like the rainbow on this blog. Bold, Bright and Beautiful! You rocked it! Your two photos are so great. Thank you for your post here. I feel like I know you. I watched all 5 days of the Jasmine Star/ creative live course and it was an eye opener for me. Thank you!
When I woke up this morning, the butterflies in my stomach from yesterday felt more like a flock of birds. Today, I would be shooting a part of Billy and Laura’s ”First Look” and CreativeLIVE would be filming and broadcasting everything LIVE, on the internet, to thousands of people. Ok, cool, I could handle that, no biggie (yeah, right!!)… What made those…
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boom chica wowow
Victoria, you were awesome on Creative Live. I really enjoyed watching you! (not in a stalker kind of way though! lol)
@ Kat
I think I know you. I know a few Montreal photographers with ugly attitude, you must be one of them. No wonder there is no link to your blog or site…
So fun to see what is happening when the camera is pointed someplace other than at Jasmine or Billy & Laura (which is where is should be pointed!) – sort of the back story, if you will. Fantastic shots! Just waiting for day 5 to start in less than 15 minutes and can’t wait to see the photos of your day.
Great pics! Love the behind the scene shots and the photo students shooting each other. I am really loving everyone’s updates and am so thankful to all of you for sharing all your beautiful pictures! Thank you!
wow. i am so impressed with you all. you take amazing pictures so no doubt the cream of the crop were chosen as jasmine’s studio students. You have all inspired so many people out there me included. I just wanted to tell you (and the other 4) that you’ve gained a fan in me and soooo many others out there. NO DOUBT!
I am happy that you are having fun and learning from this amazing experience.
People eigther will love your work or put your work down.
No matter what goes around you, just learn from both experiences.
Amanda
I’ve really enjoyed your behind the scenes photos and your blog. I’m also realizing just how much I need to push past my own comfort zones. Recently, it dawned on me that I had only been shooting with my 85mm and virtually ignoring all other lenses. Whatever, did my poor 50mm do to deserve such sad treatment? So for now, I am going to put an effort into shooting again with my other lenses. It might not be as tasty as a apple walnut tart….but I won’t know until I try it!
And btw, I have been so envious of everyone that was in the class; that is until Jasmine said, “and now I’ll let members of the class take their shots and I’ll add my critiques!” I think I even got a little nervous *for* you guys! But it was so very awesome! You’ve all done such a great job!
HEY KAT… nice post.. you are a class act for sure.
maybe you should head back into your parents basement and continue making bad porn.. people like you have big mouths and dont do a damn thing..
Victoria is learning and i am sure will advance her portfolio using lessons learned here and applying them to create more original content than you ever will sitting around being critical..
do yourself and all others a favor by going away…
I’m a LOVING the behind the scenes blogs y’all are posting – the pics are amazing and the posts are as exciting to read as watching y’all on tv. Can’t wait to see your pics from the wedding!
Another day of super photographs. I think Chase was born to be in black and white film – perfect with Billy too.
You never appeared to be nervous – mind you, so much was going on yesterday it wouldn’t have been noticed.
I love your message today, it’s as if you were talking directly to me, yes something different is what I will try today! Good luck and more cyberhugs for today’s shoot.
Too many Chris’s, so chrispixelalias on Creativelive
You did great Victoria! Loving these shots and can’t wait to be out there with you guys today at the wedding…
Hope you got some sleep
Drop me a line when youre up..
Sachin
[SK]
I don’t even know how can you call yourself a creative perspective. Have you ever look at work of some really talented people who comes up with new ideas and not a cliches poses. It all has been seen before…
I am having the best time going around to your blogs and reading your take on the day’s session and seeing the class’ behind the scenes shots. Nice, huge run-on sentence, don’t you think?!? Your shots are great and I really love the two of Nate! I look forward to seeing everyone’s photos after the wedding today. Congrats on getting to be a part of this epic adventure!
I love the shot of JD and Jasmine shooting. Love it!
Vic, I hope you have a great day today! I really enjoyed reading about your muffin story and I love it when little messages pop up in everyday life that can have a bigger meaning if you just stop to notice them. Have a killer day – your first day jitters are over! Miss you!
I have been enjoying you witnessing your journey over the past couple of days. And know that us out there watching are with you in spirit and are having epiphany moments right along with you. I have been trying to force myself to get outside my little box as well. My best friend the 35mm f1.8 (which is my workhorse) has been taking a backseat to my frienemy the 50 f1.4. When she’s on she gets BEAUTIFUL shots but sometimes she wants to be difficult. I am so bummed I will no t be able to watch today but will definitely be popping in to your blog from now on!
I have been sat here in Germany all morning refreshing your blog, to find out how you enjoyed your day yesterday! I will be following from now on, you have a lovely interesting style of writing and your photos are amazing!
Enjoy yourself at the wedding today and I’ll be back tomorrow to see just how much you did.
Now I am trying to get to the right bit of the re-watch of yesterday, as just when it got really interesting (not that there was a boring moment) but your lunch break was our bedtime, so I missed the actual photo shoot, so hopefully I will get to see it in the re-watch!
Again, have a great day
Hugs
Kerri, who felt she just had to commment, after enjoying reading your blog and seeing your pics!
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What a great looking booth! How awesome that you had so many helpers. Thanks for sharing.
Your booth looks fantastic! You deserve all the success you get. GO GABY GO!!! Way to pick a man Victoria!
Ohhhh thank you Vic
You are tooo nice I loved working with you… and I also love shooting with you 
Dear Victoria,
I am not sure what is wrong with me but your story about teamwork brought tears to my eyes since it is such a great expression of who you are and how it is a joy to be around you. You are a true collaborator yourself and that is why people are so eager to work as a team with you. Congratulations on your success at the Salon de la mariée. The booth was awesome and I know you will be very successful in your business. Cheers!
Wow, what an beautiful job!!! I am absolutely amazed, your booth looked fantastic!!! Oh, I wish you lived closer – you are definitely an inspiration!!!
You rock Victoria!! I’m not surprised you have so many awesome people around you.. your energy is contagious and you have an awesome future ahead!
Sachin xx
I was there to help you then, I will be there next time too. The energy you put into your business is incredible (I had a better word but just can’t figure how to write it now…) and the attitude you have toward everything and everyone makes it simply fun to work with you.
And besides, nothing like having you coming over my place while Anne-Marie is away to fuel our virtual affair
Anytime you need me Vic, you know where to call. Now I need to find that picture of you with your butt crack sticking out of your pant and plaster it on the web to be even…
I was totally bedazzled with what you did with that little space, and the total organization and creativity. Congrats Victoria!
Victoria – such a huge job and such a success! You inspire me and as always, impress the shit out of me. FANTASTIC work. I only wish I lived closer so you could have asked for my help in some way!
Continued success my friend!
Congrats on a successful show!