Life with YPP

I had an ice bandage wrapped around my right hand. How did I let this happen? How did I burn myself the morning of my first day of photography school! I was sitting on the passenger side of my new roommates car. Amanda was so poised and so ready to take on the world and here I was, icing my right hand, praying that it wouldn’t blister over too much. It was just so typical Yael.

As Amanda started telling me about her kickball team, I looked out the window, taking in my surroundings. OMG. Where the heck am I? It finally hit me. I was living in New England. The part of the county where Dunkin Donuts was beloved and the Patriots were a way of life. I am actually here. I was in complete awe. It was the first time I had ever been to New England, well, besides the one time I went to Boston with my Jewish sleep away camp, but if you ask me, that doesn’t really count.

I couldn’t believe it. I mean, yes, I had been talking about moving to Western Mass for months. I knew I was doing it. I packed my bags, I said my goodbyes, I left the friends and the roommates that I adored and loved, but, I was ACTUALLY here. I was really doing it. Was I really doing this??

“And we are here!” Amanda said cheerfully. I guess I was doing this…

She made a right turn into the long parking lot of Hallmark Institute of Photography. I took a deep breath in. Am I going to make friends? We saw the welcome balloons as we drove closer to the front of the building. Am I crazy for doing this? We saw the staff smiling at us as they waved. Am I going to be any good? Amanda and I climbed out of the car, I looked down at my burnt hand. Took another deep breath in and headed towards the front door.

The second we passed through the doors, I felt an energy that I’ve never felt before. I felt an excitement that was so deep and so right that my throbbing hand was a thing of the past. I was a photography student now and nothing was going to hold me back.

“And what’s your name?” a bald fellow said as he looked right at me. He was clearly on staff and had a kindness to him that I admired instantly.

“I’m Yael.” and I reached out to shake his hand… with my non-blistering, non-burnt hand of course.

“I’m Tony. Welcome to Hallmark Institute of Photography!”

I felt my entire face smile. I was here. I was finally here and I was so unbelievably ready!

to be continued…

Missed Part I? Check it out here: “How it all Began Part I”

Need to catch up on Part II? “How it all Began Part II”

Want to read Part III?: Check it out here: “How it all Began Part III”

Can I tell you something?

I don’t watch Game of Thrones. I probably shouldn’t admit it, but I just couldn’t get into it when it first aired. Maybe it’s because it came out when I was living in Israel before Netflix and Video Prime were a real thing. Maybe it’s because I have a hard time paying attention to anything (besides photography and my nieces and nephews, of course) for more than like ten minutes at a time. Or maybe it’s because I am fiercely loyal to the fanciful Harry Potter World and have no room in my heart for any other magical universe (which might actually make me a Hufflepuff).

Who really knows what the real reason is but what I do know is that Robert refuses to watch Game of Thrones with me. I don’t even begin to understand any of the references or MEMEs and I have received a ton of blank stares when I admit to others that “I actually don’t watch GOT.” I think I’ve turned on the first episode twenty times and have pretended to pay attention to at least a dozen other ones, but nothing sticks and you know what, I am totally ok with it.

According to The Times, Game of the Thrones is literally the most popular show in the world, EVER. I mean ever, and I am completely sure I couldn’t tell you the first thing about any of the characters.

Robert sometimes jokes around about how I am in a photography bubble and this might be his proof!

It’s like I am in my own little club. When all of my friends are watching Game of Thrones on Sunday night, I get an extra hour or two to read, listen to my podcasts or get some really great editing done. When everyone else talks about the latest episode the next day, I smile, nod and day dream about what productive thing I want to get done this week! I usually hate being clueless, but when it comes to this, I am totally ok with it.

I know it is supposed to be an amazing series. I know that the graphics are incredible and the storyline is on a whole other level. Yet, I am still one hundred percent fine with being in the dark with this one. Maybe that’s my true Hufflepuff colors showing, or maybe I am just the one of the few people in 170 countries who would rather work than watch Game of Thrones.

One thing is for sure, in a couple weeks when the series officially ends, I still will have no input. I still will smile and nod and I still will be very cool with it.

For all those lovely people out there who love their Game of Thrones, I hope the last two episodes are even better and unexpected as you want them to be. I apologize for not understanding the pain or excitement you feel, but this Sunday, I am super thrilled to finish editing my latest engagement session!

Happy watching my friends!

All I can say is, WOW and thank you!!

What a year it has been! From the bottom of my heart, I could not be more touched and honored, so thank you!

I am excited to announce that Yael Pachino Photography won “The Knot Best of Weddings 2019” and I could not have done it without you guys. This is all because of you. Because of your support. Because of your encouragement. And because you were kind enough to share your YP experience with The Knot, so thank you.

Not only do your reviews earn YPP fun awards, but your words also help future brides! Testimonials speak louder than radio ads, Facebook boosts and even magazine spreads. 84% of people trust online reviews just as much as they trust their friends. That means that you have an impact on others. You have the chance to help future brides who are just like you find the perfect wedding vendors for them. So, thank you.

I am overwhelmed by the love I get on a daily bases. I could not be where I am today without all of you. I cherish every moment I spend with my amazing clients and my loving support system. So, thank you.

Cheers to all the amazing Ypbrides and Ypgrooms of 2018 and here’s to all my 2019 Ypweddings! I cannot wait for what is yet to come!

Thank you to each and every one of you!

Photo credit: Robert Goldberg : )

One week later: 

As I walked out of the metro station and turned to face DC’s Chinatown, I put my hand on the camera bag that was hanging from my shoulder. My Dad let me borrow his Canon Rebel and I was terrified of loosing it. I started walking down the street to the Starbucks on 7th, right around the corner from WeWorks.  I checked my watch, I was a little early, and I was NEVER early. To me, this meant one thing, I was SUPER excited to be there. As I ordered my customary Grande Soy Chai Latte (something I could never imagine ordering now), an older man, probably early 60’s, with long hair, a funky Hawaiian shirt, a cane and a fedora walked up next to me as we waited for our orders.

“You must be a photographer?” He nodded over to the camera bag on my shoulder.

I laughed. “Not really.” I say as I adjusted the bag strap awkwardly. “I’ve never actually used this camera before. I am about to take my first photography class.”

“That’s great! I love photography!”

“Really? I think I am going to also!” I said as the barista put my latte right in front of me on the counter. I grabbed the drink, muttered a quick thank you to the barista and said goodbye to the older man.

I was feeling pretty good about my new found hobby as I crossed the street to the WeWorks. I saw one other person waiting. Before I had a chance to introduce myself, I heard “Are you guys both waiting for the Photography Class?” I’m Sam.  I will be your teacher!” I turned around and lo and behold look who it is, the older man from the Starbucks. He had the biggest grin on his face as he watched my surprised expression.

He unlocked the door and held it open for us.

“What kind of DSLR do you guys have?” he asked as he turned on the lights and gestured to the conference table.

“What is a DSLR?”  I asked as I pulled out my seat and sat down.

“You must be a beginner” he said with a knowing smiling.

“Is it that obvious?” I carefully took my dad’s camera out of the bag. To be honest, it was the first time I was using any kind of camera, besides my phone and the disposable ones that I absolutely adored back at Jewish Sleep away camp, which totally doesn’t count.

The rest of the class started filtering in behind us “Welcome to photography for beginners. Let’s get started, shall we?” And with that, class began.

One hour later, I walked out of WeWorks. One thing was brilliantly clear, my life had changed forever. I know, it sounds a little dramatic, but it is 100% true. I cannot even tell you what Sam said in that one hour class, I cannot tell you which buttons I pressed or what I photographed that day, but I can tell you that I thank G-d everyday that I found Sam’s class online.

As I walked towards the metro ready to head back to Silver Spring. I pulled out my phone and texted Marisa. “What would you say if I told you I want to be a photographer.” I stepped onto the insanely long escalator, put my phone in my pocket and adjusted the camera bag again and felt a new type of warmth and satisfaction. My adventure began and I didn’t even really know it.

To be continued…

Missed Part One? Check it out here: “How it all Began Part I”

Want to read part III?: Check it out here: “How it all Began Part III”

“You need to just get a hobby” Ayelet said as I was sitting across from her at the table in her College Park, Maryland apartment as she was making her infamous caramel cookies. She was literally the best baker and I loved nothing more than pretending like I was helping her create her delicious masterpieces.

” I know, but I don’t even know what I would do.” I said as I unwrapped another caramel for her. That was the problem. I didn’t know what to do. At 23 years old, I was miserable. I disliked my DC production Assistant Job. I wasn’t happy with my social life. Don’t even get me started about my non existent love life. I felt like I had nothing going for me. This was not how it was supposed to be. I mean, I did it all right. I went to college. Had the internships. Got the degree. Started a job. Why was I already this unhappy!?

Ayelet started collecting all of the unwrapped caramels from the table and looked over at me “Just PICK something. If you don’t like it, pick something else.” I sighed and switched the conversation over to her and her graduate school applications, at least she was doing something exciting.

As I drove home that night I decided that she was right. I just need to find something fun to focus on. I could really pick anything. I got home. Put my car in park and decided that I was not going to go inside until I picked a hobby.  So of course, like every good 20-some year old,  what did I do… picked up my phone, opened the internet and went to google…

“50 top millennial hobbies” was the first link that popped up. I clicked it.

Learn a Language… Nope

Garden… Ugh I have such a brown thumb

Baking… That’s Ayelet’s thing

Ceramics… UHHH

Meditating… Ya, I don’t think so

Dancing… I mean I like dancing, but I’m kinda REALLY bad at it

Photography… Now that’s a possibility, I just don’t have a camera. 

Improv… That’s a joke… Right?

After a few more minutes, and a few more lists. My mind kept circling back to photography. I read, “Adult coloring books,” for the fifth time and shook my head. Photography it is! I was going to do it! May as well give it a try right? Spending a few hundred dollars on a photography class couldn’t hurt.

I pulled my key’s out of the ignition and was pretty damn satisfied with my decision. I was smiling as I walked into the house. My roommate Kaleigh was snuggled up on the couch with her cat, Leo, watching HGTV as always. Jess was in the bathroom curling her hair getting ready for her shift and Anne was cooking something up in the kitchen… Things could definitely be worse, I thought as I settled into the coukch next to Leo. It was time to find a photography class. I pulled out my phone again and began to search….

To be continued…

May 22, 2014: Check out my blonde hair … thank god I grew out of that!

Check out Part II & Part III here: “How YPP Began Part II”

“How YPP Began Part III”