An Evening With Jasmine Star || The Fix

I sat down this morning with a homemade cappuccino and started to write about my trip to Seattle, WA.  I gathered up some photos, and was about to share about my awesome adventure when I realized that the story didn't actually start in Seattle.  It started at The Fix in Nashville, TN on March 6, 2012.  Yes, it's almost been 2 years, and I never posted about that night.

This might sound cliché, but I really do remember The Fix like it happened last week.  I remember signing up for it and not knowing why, or even what I would do there.  I remember laying out my clothes the night before and making sure my camera batteries were charged.  I remember stalking the Fix's Facebook group just to keep up to date with what was going on.  I remember getting to the venue super early and asking Zach and Jody where I could kill some time in downtown Nashville.  I remember walking through different shops with my dad and hearing Eric Church's "Drink in my Hand" three times within an hour (seriously, we thought someone was playing a joke on us.)  But most of all, I remember a feeling that I got that night.

 



 



 

As I walked into the building, I saw tons of *professional* photographers and felt completely overwhelmed.  Even though I had been shooting since 2008, I had only started up my business two days before The Fix.  That's right, only *2* days.

Everyone seemed to know everyone else, so I decided to just sit down and wait for Jasmine to start talking.

I honestly can't remember much of what Jasmine said.  Maybe I was star-stuck (pun totally intended).  Maybe I was too busy being inspired.  Maybe I was laughing too hard at her jokes. No matter what, I came away that night realizing that the only thing I wanted to do at that moment was pick up my camera and start shooting like crazy.  She inspired me to go for what I wanted, and to not let the fear of mistakes get in my way.  I don't think there is a word in the dictionary to describe the feeling she gave me - it was just really amazing.  I was on fire.

 

 



 

At the end of the night I went over to get my copy of Exposed signed.   I am *such* an introvert and was really nervous about having to actually talk to someone that night, but Jasmine has the amazing ability to make anyone feel instantly comfortable around her.  I can't remember what we talked about, but I remember that we were both laughing a lot.

After I had my photo taken with Jasmine, my dad asked if she would take a photo of him and me together.  It was completely embarrassing at first, but she and I started laughing and it sure happened folks!  We had a group of people watching and laughing with us, and Jasmine was coaching my dad and I through a few shots.  It was fabulous.

 

 

 

 

I got home über late that night (Nashville was about an hour and a half away from our farm), unloaded my photos, and then curled up and read about half of Exposed.  Anyone who knows me knows that I don't like reading - so this was practically a miracle.  If you don't already have a copy of her magazine you *really* need to buy it.  I was absolutely glued to it until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.  (and these aren't affiliate links - I don't get anything from recommending it to you.  It's just too good not to share!)

 

Come back next week to see how on earth a night in downtown Nashville was the start to my Seattle journey. :)

 

Happy Friday!

~~le

Just Because... || A Sneak Peek

The past few months have been filled with shooting weddings, attending a creativeLIVE course with JD and Jasmine Star, moving back to TX, going to amazing concerts, and so much more that I want to share!  However, after editing hundreds of photos from different sessions, I couldn't wait to post this little bit of awesomeness that I found.....

Isn't she **gorgeous**!?!?

Happy Thursday!

~~le

No Regrets || January Goals

If someone had given me a list of everything that was going to happen in 2013 I would have started cracking up - there's no way that ALL of that could take place in just one year.  At all.  Last year I decided to live 2013 without regrets.  I took chances.  I tried new things.  I met new people.  I went on adventures.  I had a blast!

Even though last year was *amazing*, 2014 is going to be even better!  I have so many new things lined up, and there might even be a couple new adventures along the way.  I'm going to continue living without regrets, letting go, and watching where God takes me.  Bring it on 2014!!

 

January Goals:

Personal:

• Play More Tennis!  I've joined a league that starts this month and I can't wait!  It's been 5 years since I competed last, and I really need to hurry up and get back into shape.


• Create a schedule for my personal life (and stick to it)


• Sugar. Has. To. Go.  Every time I take myself off of sugar I feel amazing, and every time I start eating it again I feel lousy.  When am I ever going to learn?!?


• Flexibility - no matter if it's tennis or photography, flexibility really helps.  It's been over 10 years since I was able to do them last, but let's see if I can do the splits by the end of this month ;-)

 

Business:

• Finish December Bookkeeping


• Update portions of my website


• Start posting to social media sites


• Watch the creativeLIVE courses that I bought last month

 

 And because I'm extra daring today, I've decided to post some photos that my sister took of me on Christmas.  This is the first time that I've posted any part of a session of *me* on the blog.  :)

(Thanks Lizzy!!)

Happy 2014!!

~~le

 

 

Mini Sessions || Second Annual Adoption Awareness Month

It's that time of year again!  I'm super excited to announce my Second Annual Adoption Awareness Month Mini Sessions!  I can't believe how time has flown by.  Last year in Nashville, TN was fantastic, and I can't wait to see how much Hope we can Show (pun totally intended) here in San Antonio, TX!

For those of you who don't know about my story and evolvement with Show Hope, here is the short version:

I first became a sponsor with Show Hope on February 14, 2008 while attending a Steven Curtis Chapman concert. Throughout the evening, there were numbers in the corner of a large screen that kept changing to show that every 18 seconds a child becomes an orphan. I stopped staring at the screen when it hit 500 children and I knew that I had to do something.

While living in Tennessee for a few years I was able to volunteer in the Show Hope office, and I have helped run three different Show Hope booths at different concerts. It’s amazing to really understand the need that these orphans and families have! Many families have been called to adopt, and all that is standing in their way are the funds. Show Hope gives grants to these families who normally wouldn’t be able to adopt, and forever families to the waiting children. In addition, a portion of every donation goes to fund life-giving medical care to Show Hope’s orphanage in China, Maria’s Big House of Hope.

Now for the good stuff!  I absolutely know that you want to help out!  Here are four different ways that you can help change the life of an orphan today:

1. I’ve created an Advocate page through Show Hope so you can donate right to them! All you need to do is click on this link HERE  and then click on the “Make a Donation” link on the right side of the advocate page.

2. Become a monthly sponsor! Scroll down to the very bottom of my advocate page on the left and click on the blue link that says “Sponsor Now”.

3. SHARE! SHARE! SHARE! Please share this blog post and my advocate page with all of your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn or even in a blog post or by email! Let’s get the word out about Show Hope together!

4. And finally the fourth option - Schedule your Mini Session today!  100% Proceeds from every photography session (families, siblings, engagements, and children's portraits) this month will go directly to Show Hope. These photos will be perfect for your Christmas cards, as well as help out children in need! Contact me to set up your session today ~ laura@lauraelizabethphotography.com

And because I love posting photos on every blog post, I've created a special flyer describing the details of the mini sessions.  I've made it really easy to pin it to your Pinterest boards - just hover over the image and click on the "Pin It" button!

Happy Monday!

~~LE

Olivia + Justin || Engaged

I was so excited when I got the email from Olivia asking if I could fly up to TN to shoot her wedding!  What made me even more excited was that even though her schedule was 100% completely full prepping for the wedding, she actually *wanted* to make the extra time for the engagement shoot.  Olivia and Justin had only taken one photo together, and according to Olivia it was just a selfie.

We decided to shoot the engagement session the day before the wedding since I had already moved back to TX and would only be in TN for 3 days.  We almost ran out of both time and light, but we were able to find a beautiful field to take some amazing shots.  I'm not sure how it happened, but we finished the shoot in less than 40 minutes and on our own terms - not just when it got too dark to shoot.  They were soooo photogenic and I could have kept shooting the whole evening.  All they had to do was look at each other a certain way and they would burst out laughing!

Olivia and Justin, I had such an amazing time getting to know you better and shooting your engagement session and wedding!!

 



 

***CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE FROM THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION***

 

~~LE

Hola Texas! + A Sneak Peek

Seattle.  Nashville.  San Antonio.  Nashville.  San Antonio.  All in one month.  <---- officially the most traveling I have ever done in my life.  I feel like a repeating record when I say "things are so crazy around here" and "my life has gotten soooo busy" (believe me, they ARE. and it HAS.), but no matter how many times I say those words my life gets even *busier* - and I'm kinda loving it.  :)

I am *almost* settled after my move from Tennessee to Texas and realized that I haven't blogged since I got back from creativeLIVE!  I still have some boxes to unpack, wedding photos to edit, and about 1000000+ blog posts to catch up on (including my seattle trip, an engagement shoot and 2 weddings), but I just had to stop in and say "hey", "I'm still alive", and "HOLA Texas.... you sure are HOT!!".

 

Here's a sneak peek of an engagement I shot last week in Nashville, TN.... aren't they ADORABLE!!??  Can't wait to share the rest of their engagement photos!

 

 



 

Happy Wednesday!
~~le

CMA Fest 3 || The Day I Decided To Text

Just a warning to all you "non country music fans"  - this is going to be a loooong post full of country music photos, contests, and 100% goodness.  You have been warned. :)

I don't text.  I don't have a texting plan, and I don't plan on getting one any time soon.  Anyone I need to keep in constant contact with has an iPhone with "iMessage" (apples' free texting service).  So anytime I *do* send a text to someone it costs me.... not much, but it can add up.  Needless to say I only text when it's uber important.

Satruday night at CMA Fest was UBER important to me!  I received a text from CMA asking if I wanted a chance to win a Photo Fast Pass to that nights show.  Did I want a chance at being able to cut in front of everyone who had waited over an hour for each artist?  Did I want to get AHHHMAZING photos 5 feet away from these singers???  YES.  YES.  YES.  So I replied back and decided to go ahead and text just this once.  I received the following....

I couldn't believe it!!  I had to re-read the text over and over and then ask my cousin to read it himself.  The night was soooooo amazing!

Now I'm going to sound like one of those infomercials - "But wait!  There's more!".  Wait, because there IS MORE  -  I won the photo passes Sunday night also!!!!  2 Nights in a row.  Cutting in front of the lines.  Running around and around LP Field.  Getting blisters.  Back aches from hauling camera gear.  Sweating like crazy.  Missing most of the concert due to said running back and forth.  But getting photos of a lifetime.  Truly.  Here are some highlights from both Saturday and Sunday...

 

 

 

I feel horrible about this... This guy is the first person I was able to get photos of, but I have NO CLUE who he is.  I listen to Country and Contemporary Christian music.  This dude didn't fit either genre.  Let me know if you know who it is... I got a photo anyway :)





 

Brad Paisley and Keith Urban are the best guitarists I've ever seen/heard.  I was able to be up front during one of Brad's solo sections.  As Mariah Carey says "#POW"



 

 

A thunderstorm shut down CMA Fest early on Sunday night and the artists were only able to sing a couple songs each.  The Band Perry opened their 2-song set with "DONE." and brought a ton of energy to the bummed out crowd!



 

Since the night was ending really fast, security moved everyone through the lines UBER fast.  Their main order was "get 1 photo then move on".  I was too close to the stage to get a full shot before I had to move, so I had to shoot back behind me to grab one of all 3 siblings together.  I'll take it. :)



 

 

I feel really bad for Jake Owen.  He only got 1 song.  Just 1.  He was barefoot and everything for his song "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" and didn't even get to sing it.  Poor guy :/



 

Carrie Underwood closed out the music festival on Sunday night.  Once again I was rushed through the line, but I was still able to hear her "See You Again" up close by the stage.  It was THE way to end CMA Fest for me.  <3

 



 

Kelly Clarkson was on Saturday night right before my all time favorite.  I was so worried about not being ready in the front of the line for my favorite, and I was only able to grab a few photos of Kelly.  But man, she sounded AWESOME that night!  I missed her duet with Jason Aldean, but it was worth it in the end....



 

 

 

...... because Keith Urban was THE ONE person that I REALLY wanted to see.  He came up to my row in 2011 and sang "Somebody like you" (I have his sweat on my left hand to prove it...oh... and photos and video if that counts ;-) ), and this year it was my turn to do all the walking and see him.  I think I took about 150 photos during his set.



 

 

**DIES**..... his guitar playing!!! .... NUFF SAID.

 

Keith was the last artist on Saturday night and ended his set by running through the crowd, straight into the parking garage, jumping into a truck, and driving off while fireworks were going - and the whole time being followed by the camera crew.  Ultimate Exit!



 

3 Hours worth of highlights from CMA Fest will be airing tonight on ABC - will you be watching?  If you look close enough you might even see me and my cousin in the front row.  ;-)

 

Happy Monday!

~~le