2024– what a year.
Here at Jasmine Tafoya Photo, it was our 10th year of business. A whole decade of nurturing and caring for this craft seems so unreal. Yet, at the same time, I can’t remember a time where I wasn’t witnessing & trying to hold onto the beauty of the moment before me. It was also the celebration of my 30th year on this planet– and what a joy being thirty has been. To transition into a whole new decade of Self is like cracking open a new journal for the first time or unpacking a fresh canvas to paint on.
While there is so much that I am looking forward to in 2025 for Jasmine Tafoya Photo and for mySelf, I wanted to take some time to reflect back on what this year has meant to me.
Why do I do this work?
I like to think I have put a lot of intentionality behind my business in the last 10 years, redefining that intention throughout the process - attuning & expanding my “why."
As I reflect on this question & 2024, I see how so much of my wildest dreams are coming to fruition. I get to hold space for folks while they hold really human space for themselves, as they move through time. I honor queer joy & existence as a core pillar of my business. I get to celebrate love & identity in unbeatable ways. This business is a big part of who I am and there is so much of me poured into this space – meaning having created a business that is in alignment with my values makes this work soul-filling.
Below are some of my reflections of 2024 & visions for 2025.
Faced off with Imposter Syndrome - This year, I was interviewed and published in a newspaper.
Working with Trinity at the Ball State Daily was such a fun and meaningful experience. I was able to talk about candidly about queerness in the photography & wedding industries. An incredible moment to see my work in a printed newspaper & be seen in the intention that I aim to pour into my work. It was such a great experience for my Imposter Syndrome to have as well. In 2025, I hope to expand on this with tacking Perfectionism a bit more head-on & having a full session or wedding published.
“It's really rewarding to just see that there are a lot of us (LGBTQ+ wedding vendors) out here who are ready to work with you. You deserve to have options, you deserve to have people who are loudly supporting you — people also who are loud about themselves.”
Below is a photo of newspaper with an image of us by Abbey Elaine photo & an image of two of the 2024 marriers we got to honor. Check it out yourselves by clicking here. :')
representation heals my inner child *every* time & has been such an integral part of my work.
This year I was able to work with content creators I adore, respect, and admire across the country. Brit and I have been huge fans of the Social Media Stars Morgan & Felix of @couplagoofs for years. Their corner of the internet in all it's queer & trans joy, neurodivergent affirming, fat liberating space has been beautiful to see flourish.
When we daydreamed about a trip across the country lining up with an opportunity to collaborate with them during the end of their pregnancy or postpartum, we never expected them to say "hell yeah! let's do it!"
We had the opportunity to witness them savor the moment, as they settled into a new routine with their newborn. They both melted looking at their child & the way the other looked at him. It was an incredible experience to work with folks we admire, who have brought us a lot of ~feel good feels~ from their online presence. Walking into their home was, honestly, like being on the set of a movie, and we were both so awestruck that we spoke very little– which allowed them to be present together. Brit and I often daydream about other “influencers” we would love to photograph– so I wonder what the new year will bring!
To check out their content, click for their Instagram, their YouTube, & their TikTok.
*Felix & Morgan have chosen to keep the name and facial details of their child off the internet. Understandably with having a following online, but maybe this is something that's crossed your mind as well. If you'd like to explore more about your privacy options, here's a blog about how I created my model release with consent in mind.
Taking Risks, Trying Something New
This past year, I took quite a few risks and offered new & exciting things! I wanted to expand, explore, and create in ways I hadn't before. This took the form of my Seasonal Soul & Seasonal Soul(s) portrait series – where folks are exploring their personal seasonal themes & holding space for their connection with each transitioning season of life. Launching this new offering was thrilling and scary. Would folks even want four sessions over the span of a calendar year? What would they do with so many photos? My goal was to encourage folks to lean into being present with Self (or others) & to continue breaking down what makes a photo session, a photo session.
In January of 2024, I put a vague call out for my individual series & had 10 sign up for my first round of Seasonal Soul. In Fall of 2024, I opened it up Seasonal Soul(s) for groups (families - extended or chosen, you & your pet(s), couples/polycules, newlyweds, best friends, coworkers, etc.)
In this series, I am able to collaborate with some amazing people, who are helping expand where this seed of a project will grow, trusting me to be vulnerable, and incorporating play into their sessions. I received some of the best compliments of my career from this series & it has felt like one of the softest things I’ve ever done. I want to continue embracing the seasons with folks & exploring what each season of life means to your stories.
I've found this to be a versatile offering that focuses on relationship building, authentic connection, and creating art together to honor this moment in your life. Removing the pressure of "formal" or "annual" photos and leaning into... something more authentic & magical.
I look forward to all the creation this series holds for 2025.
I finally dived into merging my love of film with work.
Film has always been a tool of mine to be more present in my personal life, and it has always had a certain level of anxiety when it comes to my professional work.
Yes, the beauty in film is that I don’t know what it looks like, we have to wait for it, the "nostalgia" many of us hold but we’re working with older technology. While film creates stunning, beautiful moments frozen in time– it also is a great opportunity for my anxiety to rear its head over "what if's." (So much ~could~ go wrong with film!) I’m playing and exploring more of my art while trusting myself and the process– whew, what a brave thing to be doing. Thanks for doing it alongside me.
Moving into 2025, I will be offering *discounted film only sessions* and all sessions/weddings will have film incorporated into their packaging & galleries.
Lastly, This year I got a work phone.
Yes, the work phone might be a recently upgraded iPhone 12 (that I’ll be operating as an iPod Touch) and is still waiting to be really put to work– but it’s such a huge step and symbol of the progress I have made in establishing a work life balance. I want to be able to show up as the best that I can for clients and provide an experience that is affirming while also being present and creating art that can be a tool for others in so many ways.
I have learned that I work best when so much of me is in my work, and I also know I work best when I’m able to be Jasmine, not Jasmine Tafoya Photo all the time. I look forward to offloading work content onto the *official* Jasmine Tafoya Photo Work Device, and I look forward to creating more boundaries and self-care in my work in 2025.
Here's to holding space for your moments & memories always.
Warmly, Jas
Intuitive Storyteller (she/her)
