The Workshop : London

Once I had to visit a doctor for what I thought were heart problems…I even carried aspirin in my purse juuuust in case. One can never be too prepared for a heart attack in their late 20s, right?! After an EKG and other tests, the doctor told me I wasn't experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, but, rather, stress. And right then? The weight of the aspirin in my purse made me feel like a drama queen. Capital d, capital q.

Before leaving his office, he handed me a glossy brochure of ways to deal with stress, one of them being deep breathing. Ten deep breaths, to be exact. So that's what I did. I breathed deeply. And picked up jogging.

Last week I resorted to my ten-deep-breaths technique as I rode the elevator to The Workshop mixer at The Sanctum Hotel in London. My heart felt like it was going to burst right out of my chest and run away. I was incredibly nervous to meet the attendees, but as soon as I arrived, I was greeted with warm British smiles.

The remainder of the night passed like flash, but by the next morning, everyone showed up like the party never ended…

I've always wanted to host a photography workshop in London, but the weight of organization held me back. When Kat Williams of Rock n Roll Bride offered her assistance in planning, I took her up and nervously flew across the Atlantic. What I expected was to host a workshop…what I didn't expect was to walk away with 20 new industry friends who are ready to change wedding photography in England. I'm incredibly honored to have met such an amazing group of people.

What's this? Well, it's this drink called elderberry juice. And it's like nectar of the gods. Only better. The next time I'm in London, I may walk around with an i.v. of this stuff on tap.

Many thanks to The Recipe for providing amazing food throughout the day…I felt like royalty eating such amazing meals!

Words can't even begin to describe how thankful I am for our wonderful, lovely, and gorgeous models for the day, Rachel and Dan. They're such a kind couple who offered to join us for the day…I'm incredibly appreciative of their time!

Many, many, many thanks to Alicia of One Marylebone. She kindly offered this wedding venue for the workshop and it couldn't have been more gorgeous. She also organized Great Hire to join our team for the day to provide the beautiful chairs and chaise for the photo shoot.

Rachel, you're so fierce! I can't even stand it! Augh.
Major love to Elbie Van Eeden for makeup and Severin Hubert of The Hepburn Collection for hair.

Many thanks to Restoration Cake and Janet Mohapibanks for providing cupcakes and a cake to photograph…

This photo is actually a screen capture of The Workshop video Richard Wakefield made (as seen at the end of this post), but I love how it captures the mood of the day!

The lovely ladies with Pollen Nation provided lovely florals for the workshop…

Okay, so can I please take a moment of tres chicness for Rachel and Dan's fashion choices?! Because, really, let's give it up for this Ted Baker suit…with top stitching and a matching vest. I swoon. Rachel wore her actual wedding dress (they wed last January) by David Fielden and a gorge gorge gorge headpiece by Liberty in Love

Here's my favorite photo of the day…

To my new friends and allies…thank you for making my first trip to London something truly magical. It was better than I imagined and I can't express my sincerest appreciation for being such great friends. I loved seeing the way you all pulled together and created a network all your own…a network based on helping each other, giving feedback, and promising to make big changes in your lives. I'm so proud and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you! Much love and appreciation… j*

As a lovely recap of the day, the ever-fab Richard Wakefield of FX Films created a video of The Workshop…I can't tell you how lucky I am to have such talented friends! Check it out…

Jasmine Star – The London Workshop, July 2011 (Wedding Photography Training) from FX Films on Vimeo.

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