Jasmine Star herself says you don’t have to like her. She’d prefer people either love her or hate her. She allowed herself to be completely vulnerable and show how she works and be open to our critiques. In my view, she is a good photographer. Many watching her feel they are much better photographers than she. And I’m sure it’s true for some. But she is also incredibly successful. I believe she stated she is booked solid for 2011 already. How many of you that feel you are a better photographer are booked throughout next year? Some perhaps. Most not. I don’t have a single thing booked past October of THIS year. The point is, she knows how to market herself. There are a LOT of bad photographers (and no I’m not at all saying she is bad) making a LOT of money. The lesson to be learned here is how to promote our business and she did an amazing job at that. I walked away from this saying, “If Jasmine Star, who didn’t even own a camera prior to 2006 can do this, I can do this too.” Like her or not, she is the model of success.

Regarding the comment about JD taking the principal shooting role, I agree that he has arguably taken some of the best shots, however, maybe he has taken them because he is the second shooter, which gives him a more relaxed environment to work in. Perhaps if he was the first shooter and was worrying about all the other aspects that a first shooter needs to worry about then none of those shots may have ever happened.

Personally to me, regardless of any imperfections in their final shots, I have a massive amount of respect for them both. Not only for for building a successful business but for sharing their techniques and behind the scenes access in a way that breaks the all too familiar trend of secrecy and snobbery that is often found within the elite of any business or craft. Which to me seems to be what fstoppers is all about, so we should all be able to appreciate that!