19 April, 2008

What's in YOUR Bag Jasmine Star?

Hello my cyber-galactic photography friends. I'm VERY excited to announce the beginning of a new series of posts entitled What's in Your Bag?

In case you're interested, I'll be sure to give you the 411
at the end of the post on what inspired this
new series and what you can expect from it in the future.


Today we'll be hearing from the LOVELY Jasmine Star of Jasmine Star Photography.


Photo Credit: Mike Colon.

If I had to give 3 words to describe this rock star photog they'd be sure to center around her remarkable grace, her stunning class and her heap of refreshing talent. She was beyond gracious throughout our back and forths in preparation for this post (as well as the help she's been giving me for the highly anticipated follow up to Blog Power over at Digital Photography School). Be sure to take a second to check out her impressive bio from the link on her website. Could this girl get any cooler? I think not.

Without further ado, let's hear from Jasmine.

Me:
What's your primary camera body?
Jasmine: Canon 5d.

Me: What's your back up camera body?
Jasmine: Canon 5d.

Me: What lenses do you shoot with?
Jasmine: I swap lenses all the time, so I don't really think I use one particular lens more than any other. Here's some of my favorite gear.

*The 70-200IS, 2.8...a ceremony favorite. This lens is buttery and when it locks into its focal point, it's just awesome!


Here's my dynamic duo...


*16-35, 2.8...This lens gets super wide angles and is an awesome story-telling lens...by this I mean it can truly capture an entire scene in a single snap.

*24-70, 2.8... This lens is pretty much a solve-all as it can be used pretty much in any capacity. It was my first lens and I truly love it as it's like an old teddy bear that I can't get rid of. When I first started, it was all I had and it was SO good to me! :) It's only downfall is that since it's so great within its range, I found myself not walking--or getting involved--with what I was shooting. Now that I'm shooting with prime lenses more often, I'm getting a much different feel to my images because I'm physically more involved with the scene...



The Trifecta...these are my homeboys!


*85mm, 1.8...This is the perfect portrait lens. I can't fully express how much I love this lens...ugh...it produces the creamiest images ever! I often bring this lens out during the ceremony when I want to shoot wide open from a slight distance...I love it!

*50mm, 1.4...This is my rock. I use this lens ALL the time. It just has a way of hammering out consistently sharp images and an awesome background fall-off. However, if I had to choose between the 1.4 and the 1.2, I'd most definitely get the 1.2! I can't wait to upgrade (**hint: the 1.2 will make a great anniversary, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, birthday or Groundhog's Day present!**) Also, I shoot most my detail shots with this lens, so it's pretty much a gold mine!

*28mm, 1.8...My newest baby and oh how I love him!! This wide-angle lens is just the funnest and coolest lens ever...it doesn't have any edge distortion and can be shot with a glorious 1.8 aperture! I LOVE prime lenses!!

NOTE: Jasmine has finally upgraded to the 50mm, 1.2!!
She says, "I shot with it for the first time on Thursday night
for an engagement session and I can't say
how much I LOOOOOVE this lens.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.
I'll be blogging a full review of it early next week!
"

Me: Which is your sexy favorite, and how often would you say you use it?
Jasmine: 50mm, 1.2. If I had to, I could shoot an entire wedding with this lens. It's amazing!


Me:
Any other gear you've got that rocks your world?
Jasmine: I love my Pocket Wizards! They're the best when trying to photograph the reception. I always use an off-camera light source for receptions, so the Pocket Wizards are my best friend!


Me:
What would be your words of wisdom for photographers who are looking to buy a new DSLR system? What do you think is the MOST important thing to consider?
Jasmine: Ask yourself what's the most you'd spend on a camera. Then add $700 to that amount. Often times, spending a little more than you THINK should be spent is just the thing you need. Having that bit of fire under your bottom is just the thing people need to take their business to the next level.

Me:
What's your favorite restaurant?
Jasmine: I'm a true food lover, so anyplace that has good cooking is fine by me! :)

Me:
That last question is so that I can be sure to take you there for lunch next time I'm in CA.
Jasmine: LOL!!


Thank you Jasmine for your generous heart
and your willingness to share so much, so willingly.
You are a shining star (no pun intended...ha!) in this industry.

xoxo,

Natalie

**Please note: If you have follow up questions regarding this post, please include them in the comments below. If I am unable to answer them all, I will compile them and send them over to Jasmine for her response. Please don't inundate this poor gal with inquiries. She was EVER SO KIND to give us the scoop in the first place, let's not add more to her already LOADED plate. Thanks!

THE 411: I have been so excited for this series to make it's shining debut! I get frequent emails, like sometimes 5 or 6 in a single day, and generally in the double digits within the week, from aspiring photographers asking me questions about gear. I do my very best to offer a personal response to each of you, but as a crazy momma who had 3 crazy boys in 3 crazy years. . . my time is clearly limited, thus I decided I needed to come up with somewhere I could field these inquiries.

This will be a weekly series. As I've made a decision not to post on Sundays, as that's my church and family day, What's in YOUR bag? will be my weekend installment each week. I hope you dig the idea as much as I do!

Happy Shooting!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awesome interview, Natalie (and Jasmine!) Very informative and helpful. I think this is an absolutely great idea! Please keep doing it!

Heather said...

Wow! What a great interview! I've been really wanting to buy some different lenses, but I just haven't known what to get! This has been so helpful!! And what a fabulous photographer! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Wow! This is a very neat idea. I love it and will check back soon to see the next one. Can we request photographers to have you do articls on?

Misty

Anonymous said...

Thanks. That's cool

Anonymous said...

This is an AWESOME idea Nat! Thanks so much. I LOVE Jasmine's work...I've been to her site before and heard of her. SO cool that she was willing to share "What's in her bag". VERY COOL LADY! Thanks Nat and Jasmine. Keep sharing the love...

Annie Link said...

Oh! How cool is this beautiful Photog! Thanks for sharing your "bag" with us Jasmine--and Natalie, thanks for sharing Jasmine with us! I'm headed over to her site right now.

Anonymous said...

NEAT!! This is SO COOL, thanks!

Heather said...

"What's in your bag" works for me! Interesting.

taryn said...

great interview. this gives me an idea on what lenses i'll be purchasing in the future. i also love jasmine's blog! can't wait for future "what's in your bag" interviews!

Anonymous said...

I LOVED THIS!

Widiger Family said...

I'm loving this. thanks for doing it. You're full of great ideas.
will check out her site right now!!!

Mark R Coons - Music Man5 Photos said...

Thanks Natalie! I really enjoy articles like this whenever I can find them!

Jasmine said...

Hi Natalie!
Thank you for the pleasure of being interviewed...you are amazing! :)

OMI said...

WOOOWOWOW. Nat I love it. I swear you are soooo great. I'm a total Jasmine Star blog stalker...ha ha. I just would have never thought about calling her for the benefit of man kind (or myself for that matter). Love ya, you smart girl!!

jase said...

I am in the market and the comments were good to read, and great to hear. thanks for taking the time ....both of you.

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Connie Etter said...

Great article! I want to shoot like Jasmine someday! Her images are amazing! Her use of lighting just everything! Someday maybe!!!! Thanks for the interview!

Wedding photographer essex said...

I got a question, I was suprised to read that Jasmine doesn't use many L series lenses! Only what she just upgraded to. Why is that? Cost issue or she just doesnt see the performance difference in what she uses them for?

April R. said...

I have a Canon Rebel TS1i and a 50mm 1.4. I love Jasmine Stars style of light photography. How do I shoot colorful bright photos in manuel mode every time?