Jasmine, JD and the CreativeLive 5 at the end of shooting today.
Today was the final day of our epic wedding photography adventure with Jasmine Star and Creative Live. It’s been a whirlwind, roller-coaster ride of highs and lows, with lots of laughs, but also many emotional moments for everyone involved. I feel as though I’ve been at a month-long summer camp for the past 5 days; spending my afternoons engaged in fun activities meant to help me develop as a person and my nights giggling with newfound friends on Twitter. So tonight, as the credits rolled, the mikes were unplugged and the cameras were packed away, I felt like summer camp was coming to a close and I would be leaving all my new friends to go back to reality. It was rough. I had to leave the studio and go take a breather in the back alley. I didn’t want to be a sobbing mess on air.
For those who watched, tweeted and chatted along with us, you also spent 5 days soaking in Jasmine’s radiance, warmth and energy, so you know what I mean when I say that sitting in my hotel room, looking at my packed bags, it feels as though someone has snuffed out the sun. Tomorrow I’ll be boarding a plane for Montreal instead of settling into the comfy couches at the Creative Live studio and listening to Jasmine belt out California “What-evah”s. I won’t hear Sachin’s accent or see Stephanie’s smile. Nate won’t be sitting across from me making funny faces and Audrey won’t be reading me the comments from the chat room…
Despite the sadness I feel for leaving these new friends, I also feel a little spark of light shining inside me as I begin to anticipate what lies ahead. In a few short days, Jasmine has inspired me to try new things, to embrace who I am as a photographer and as a person (flaws and all) and to accept that not everyone will like me and THAT’S OK. What matters is that I remain true to myself as I continue to grow and evolve as a photographer. I’ve learned so much in these past 5 days, about photography, business, marketing, branding, even JD’s grades… but most of all I’ve learned about myself. I’m excited about getting home and applying that knowledge in a way that will move my business and my brand forward. I’ll keep you posted about the impact this week has had and will continue to have on my life in future blogs, so stay tuned
Thanks to everyone from Laura & Billy to Chase Jarvis and the CreativeLive crew, to the Tweeters (is that a word??) who showered us with tremendous support, to the other students and of course: Jasmine and JD, without whom none of this would have been possible.
11 comments
Thank you for sharing your experience and perspective! I loved watching y’all on Creative Live, it was an amazing 5 days. Way to push your boundaries, I LOVED that shot of Laura’s bouquet.
Cheers to you!
Victoria, it was wonderful watching you and everyone else have a fabulous time in Seattle with the CreativeLive team. JD and Jasmine are not only wonderful people but also super teachers. Soooooooooo happy you had a great time learning and making precious memories together.
From a proud mom!
Hi there- even though I wasn’t *there* there- I was there and can totally relate to what you are saying. Well not totally of course because I only had a small taste and experienced it vicariously- but I will say that it has inspired me further in many ways.
I appreciated watching you (and EVERYONE involved there) fantastic stuff.
Now about dismantling the plane with your allan key ROFL.
Best,
M.
What a great weekend it was. Even my wife joined me to watch those long days and the inspiring talents that you all were, and she has NO photography interest whatsoever. I happened to do a job on Wednesday and for few hours on the weekend but watched just about everything else. Now I am waiting for my download link that my wife is going to purchase (I know she will buy it). Victoria, it was great to see a Montreal representation in this International workshop.
aww. “I’m such a girl”. Just something Jasmine had said and it stuck. I almost got teary eyed reading your post. I was only there in spirit but I didn’t want it to end either. Such a wealth of information for 5 days and I like you, I walk away learning more about who I am and what I want. I can’t wait to see the great things that lay ahead for you!
Victoria – I feel like I won the lottery as the “voice of the internet” at our epic summer camp. Thank you for being YOU. I love that you approached this week with challenging yourself to try new things and push yourself to the edge. J* and JD were too inspiring for words. But truly the creativeLIVE 5 represented all of us other photographers out there trying to build our businesses. I love love love that I had the opportunity to watch you all transform in front of my own eyes. Congrats on a job well done and your photography is just stunning. Your photo of the bouquet & Laura’s floral dress detail was the envy of the internet! Hope our paths cross again someday. Wish Susan could pack me in her bag for her travels to Montreal!
Dear Victoria,
!
with this post you brought out my tears AGAIN I already had yesterday (No, it was today VERY early in the morning around 3 am over here in Germany!).
I TOTALLY feel what you described and I’m so thankful that it was possible to share this whole amazing experience with you and Jasmine. She kicked my ass literally and I have so much stuff on my To Do-List now…. I hope we can grow together as photographers, as human beings, as artists and in our real life after this unreal web experience!
Much success, I will follow your next steps…
I’m sure, we can do it!
Amazing job this week! I felt like I was right there with you, feeling anxious and excited as each new day unfolded. Thank you for putting your heart into this and for asking so many fantastic questions. It was great to hear confirmation from someone who is hugely successful that the best way to go is the authentic way – the way that feels true to you. I will continue to do this and I hope you will, too! Go get ‘em!
Very nice post, beautiful portrait! What can I say, I am going to miss you all, it was great spending 5 days with all of you, learning so much. I am also extremely grateful for the great opportunity. Awesome project, Creative Live, Jasmine, JD, Chase, Craig, Laura, Billy, and everybody else involved really, really ROCK!!
I work during the day, therefore I was watching the rewatch quite late at night into the early morning hours. Yesterday, I thought now that’s over, I’ll have time to sleep, but couldn’t because this course left me with so much learning and information, that my head can’t stop thinking and I am still absorbing everything that it was taught.
Thank you so much Victoria, I truly enjoyed your attitude towards learning.
Best of luck from California!
~A.
I was with you guys all five days and felt the emotional roller coaster. My daughter, who I 2nd shoot for, and I kept a constant chat on gmail throughout the weekend. Believe it or not, on Saturday morning, I awoke and felt hungover from the wedding the night before. With my aching knee I’m having surgery on soon, I took my shower and with no plans of leaving the house, I put pj’s back on, sat in my recliner armed with my laptop and took in more of you guys. I loved, loved, loved your best shots and that was only your second day in. Bride magazine quality. So glad you had the experience.
Great team picture, what a great 5 days, I had a few late night here in the UK, should have watched the re-runs. I now have a lot to think about in regards to my business,
Many Thank to Jasmine, JD, Chase, all the team at creativelive, the “Creativelive 5″ and special thanks to Laura and Billy for allowing the world to watch there wedding. You all Rock,
Peter