Stay Inspired.

One thing I love to do is to check out all the time is other designers and photographers. See their work, gawk at how amazing they are, and hope to one day be as awesome as they are. I have a lot of big people I look up to but then there are local people that inspire me too!

So, who inspires me to do well and succeed? LET THE LIST BEGIN!

Jasmine Star.

© JD Star

Jasmine was introduced to me from my mentor Kirsten Getz of Girl Getz Photography. I interned with Kirsten over the summer after I graduated from Allegany College of Maryland and it was the best summer ever. I am forever grateful for Kirsten’s intense kindness – if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be anywhere near I am today! I love you Kirsten!

Jasmine, oh Jasmine. You wonderful woman you. Jasmine is such an AMAZING teacher from marketing to posing the former law student, is someone who inspires me like crazy. Her work is absolutely beautiful, she travels the world capturing beautiful weddings along with beautiful people! I’m not gonna lie but, I would love to be at her level. She’s amazing. Not to mention she’s Puerto Rican. I’m Puerto Rican. We’re connected.

© Jasmine Star

Jana Williams

Another big photographer whom I found while watching YouTube videos. How I found this lovely lady you ask? Well, I was watching some beauty videos by Michelle Phan I was introduced to her friend Chriselle Lim because she was in one of her videos, and I noticed the photos were so beautiful that they would feature. I looked at who the photographer was and so I found the Southern Belle Jana.

© Jana Williams

Jana is another wonderful teacher mostly teaching the technical side of photography a bit more than marketing. She gives fantastic tips on lighting, posing, and post processing. Jana is so awesome! She’s even doing fitness blogs right now which is pretty cool! Jana is also another wedding photographer that travels the world capturing beautiful things. Again, I would love to travel everywhere to do weddings.

© Jana Williams

Cristina Otero

© Cristina Otero

Cristina. Oh your work. I adore it. Cristina is not a wedding photographer but more so a fine arts photographer with a bit of a twist. She does self portraits. Every image you see is her. She dresses up and does crazy makeup and takes photos of herself. I found her on DeviantArt one day browsing through the Daily Deviations (the best of the best for the day for those who dont use DA) She had just started and I decided to follow her work. I watched this girl blossom into the crazy thing she is today. Crazy thing is, is she is so much younger than me and her work is fantastic. I love looking at her work, and it inspires me to do something different every now and then!

© Cristina Otero

Cool fact, basically all of her images were shot in her bedroom. WHOA.

So, those are the huge photographers out there who inspire me. But, there are a couple local ladies who inspire me to do well.

Kirsten Getz

© Kirsten Getz

Again, this beautiful lady took me under her wing and taught me what she knows. Without her, I honestly would be no where. Her images are so so lovely. They’re light, airy, and just oh so wonderful. Kirsten is such a kind person and she pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and rock it. The first wedding I did with Kirsten, I was so shy I just shut down. I took her aside and spoke with her when we were rehearsing for a wedding and apologized for it. She said just the right words and when I came to the wedding the next day I was ready to rock. She noticed a huge difference and I was proud of myself! And over the summer we did a few more weddings together and again I’m so grateful for her.

© Kirsten Getz

Melissa Gaglio

I found this girl just browsing the other local photogs in the area and I really like what I found! We have the same style almost and I decided to say hi. Recently, we connected and started talking. We’ve been encouraging each other and have been talking. I’ve even recommended her to some people who had inquired for a day that was already booked.

Some of you may be thinking why in the world and I promoting and being inspired by my competition? These women are wonderful people and they really do inspire me. They’ve treated me well, encouraged me, and have been good friends to me. Melissa’s work is so beautiful. Every day this girl is growing just like me but, I admire her work so much. She inspires me to do well, try new styles, and new things! Melissa you’re awesome I can’t wait to see where the world takes you I know you’re going to go far! ❤

© Melissa Gaglio

Lastly, who inspires me?

Angela of Saffron Avenue Design.

I just found this lovely lady recently while browsing through pinterest , as I do. Her designs always caught my eye as I looked through the hundreds of pins. I loved everything about her work. She does branding work which is something I really enjoy doing. Stationary also has a special place in my heart. PAPER! Oh how I love paper. I know you love it too don’t judge me! I know you admire that really pretty card stock when you pass by it!

*ahem* Anyway, Angela’s designs are elegant, simple, and beautiful. I would love to be able to create some lovely designs like she does!

© Saffron Avenue Design

Those are people who inspire me! The list is longer but these are the people who inspire me the most. I hope you guys have found some new people to have a gander at and enjoyed this post! I’d love to hear of people who inspire you to create! Leave a comment! Happy Tuesday friends!

Keep on Dreaming & Stay Inspired

S. ❤