Celebrate Civil Rights and Same Sex Marriage in Vermont!

I am so so happy about the news coming out of Vermont! I grew up here in California, but (somewhat randomly) went to college in Vermont, so I feel proud and excited that huge steps are happening there to make same sex marriage legal and recognized!



I'm waiting to see what other details emerge - and to see more articles featuring happy, beautiful same sex families making it legal - and, even better, to ultimately not see any big deals being made about gay and lesbian weddings, once they're mainstream and just a regular, wonderful part of the USA's standard civil rights.



I'm also considering some kind of same sex marriage celebration giveaway to make it possible for me to shoot a gay or lesbian wedding in ;pve;u Vermont this spring, summer or fall. I'm looking at it this way - I've been wistfully dreaming about a trip to New England lately, and I would love to photograph a beautiful New England wedding. And nothing puts a smile on my face more than a wonderful wedding between two individuals who love each other and have been waiting to officially become a family!



So... if you have any ideas about a potential Vermont Same Sex Wedding Celebration giveaway, send them my way. Happy days and congratulations to the Green Mountain State!

Don't Divorce My Clients!

I had planned to share some more vintage family photos today, but instead I want to pass this beautiful video along. Featuring the song "Fidelity" by Regina Spektor (which is such a beautiful song, and I'm so happy that this campaign is able to use it with permission!), The Courage Campaign asked gay and lesbian couples legally married in California last year to send in photos of themselves, their families, etc., asking the Supreme Court "don't divorce us!". Here's the video, and here's the link to the campaign so you can sign your name and pass it along.


"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

This is a lovely, amazing song that I have loved for years, and to see it matched up with so many joyful families and couples will make you cry. I just put on mascara for a client meeting, and now am remembering why I never wear it to weddings! : )

Really, though, it is astounding to me how diverse the faces represented here are - from age, to race, to occupation, this is really a look at the people of America. And it's a wonderful reminder that though the media face of gays and lesbians is often portrayed in a certain way (young, hip, urban, wealthy, etc), the reality is that they are just Americans like any other, in all walks of life, falling in love with the person they're meant to be with. I can't wait to see that right finally, and inalienably, recognized by California and all the other states (and D.C.!).

That is your happy/sad, bittersweet message for this Friday. Have a beautiful weekend, enjoy the rain (or snow, or sun), and hug and kiss your family - and remember that everyone else deserves the right to love their family too!

Prop 8 Protest

Okay, as you can tell by the title of the post, these images are a few months old now, although this particular march was after the election/ vote in November. I took a few quick photos (mostly of the lovely Jenn carrying her sign), and got a few shots of the crowd from an undisclosed rooftop location... but, sadly, after most of the crowd had already dispersed. There were crazy amounts of people there - it was very heartening! I bumped into lots of friends, and know that it won't be long before gays and lesbians will have the same rights as everyone in this lovely state of ours.



The view of Santa Rosa City Hall with the crowd of thousands at the protest (although, as you can see, they're already starting to move to Courthouse Square in a trickle):





Not a bad place to live, huh? So pretty!

Prop 8, the Musical

Just a bit of silliness until I have time to do a new photo blog post!

David and James, Commodore / the Waterfront Hotel, Jack London Square, Oakland

(click the photo to view the slideshow)

I was so happy to have the opportunity to photograph David and James on their wedding day! I got to peek in on them getting ready with their families at the Waterfront Hotel in Oakland's Jack London Square, and then they were married on a Commodore Events ship in the Alameda/ Oakland estuary. Since it was a small group and they didn't think they'd need me for the whole (4 hour!) sunset cruise, I did all of the portraits beforehand, photographed the ceremony, and then hopped off the boat to get some shots of them sailing off into the sunset. What a lovely way to start their marriage!





I really liked that they chose suits that reflected the level of formality that each groom wanted - James looked very sharp in his suit, and David was quite dashing in a bit more formal tux. I adore a good bow tie!





The Waterfront had some really cool colors and details, like the stripes on this wall (which give me some crazy and cool home decorating ideas...):



And this installation in the lobby:



The men took a limo around the estuary to the dock and we did some family photos on the lawn (don't worry, there's not an arm in every shot, I just like this!):



Oh, I just love these!





And that bow tie (I'm telling you!) with the debonair squint gives David a bit of a James Bond thing here...







There were some truly beautiful details aboard the wedding ship:









Here they are rehearsing the ceremony before the guests are welcomed aboard - they seem so happy and relaxed!



Jack London Square across the water as the sun begins to sink:



The captain/ officiant:







I LOVE how the crowd goes wild in this shot. David and James obviously have great support from their friends and family!





I am so happy that these two loving, sweet men had the chance to have an official wedding in late October, and am hoping and wishing that many more gay and lesbian couples throughout the state (and nation) will soon be afforded the same opportunity! David and James, thank you so much for having me be a part of your wonderful day.

One more take on Proposition 8

I have a beautiful wedding that I am so excited to share, and will post either later today or tomorrow - but first I felt the need to share one more opinion on the Proposition 8 vote, forwarded to me by a friend. I don't know this commentator (we don't have cable here, so I only come across MSNBC on mute at the gym) and his style is a bit melodramatic for me, but I also found myself so impressed with how he so eloquently puts into words the questions and sentiments I have been trying to come up with.



I want to say one more time, how beautiful, sweet, and simultaneously exceptional and totally normal the wonderful gay and lesbian weddings I've photographed this year have been. These are people who are both making history and just leading their lives in a way that is best for themselves and their partners and families. I applaud and congratulate all of the activists who have been fighting and will continue to fight the legislated attempts at separate but equal!

It is shocking to realize that President-Elect Obama's PARENTS had a marriage deemed illegal in 16 states. His parents - not his ancestors or a distant relative of some kind! His story is so fascinating and unique to me, yet it speaks to so many Americans.

That's my soapbox for today. Many lovely photos coming soon! Thanks for letting me share a bit of what I believe isn't truly "politics", because it is so personal to so many people (myself and my family included). And thank you so much to my lovely clients of all backgrounds, genders, faiths and beliefs! I am honored to work with you, and feel such a respect for you and your families well beyond your wedding day.

Defining Marriage

I am feeling pretty low about the passing of Proposition 8 here in California, and decided to actually look up the definition of marriage. Now, I know that Wikipedia isn't exactly Websters, but I think it's a good starting place, and their definition is fascinating to me:



"Marriage is a social, religious, spiritual, or legal union of individuals...



"Marriage is an institution in which interpersonal relationships (usually intimate and sexual) are acknowledged by the state or by religious authority. It is often viewed as a contract. Civil marriage is the legal concept of marriage as a governmental institution, in accordance with marriage laws of the jurisdiction. If recognized by the state, by the religion(s) to which the parties belong or by society in general, the act of marriage changes the personal and social status of the individuals who enter into it...



"People marry for many reasons, but usually one or more of the following: legal, social, and economic stability; the formation of a family unit; procreation and the education and nurturing of children; legitimizing sexual relations; public declaration of love; or to obtain citizenship...



"A marriage is often formalized during a marriage ceremony, which may be performed either by a religious officiant, by a secular State authorised officiator, or (in weddings that have no church or state affiliation) by a trusted friend of the wedding participants. The act of marriage usually creates normative or legal obligations between the individuals involved and, in many societies, their extended families."



It deeply saddens me that this proposition has passed, and worries me that people who voted for it were misinformed about many things (same sex marriage being somehow "taught" in school, made up threats to the current state of heterosexual marriage, etc). I normally think that when a popular vote is cast, the majority should win out no matter what my opinion is - but in this case, the civil rights that are being walked on are just too important, so we will not sit back and let the loving, committed same sex marriages be pushed down or cast aside.



I am also terrified that so many voters' arguments seemed to be that their definition of marriage being between one man and one woman comes from the Bible (which is odd, because there are all kinds of polygamists in the Old Testament!). When Devon and I married, we did so in a civic ceremony, saying nothing about any religion or deity - does this mean our marriage will be annulled or threatened next?



On a much happier note, I still have several beautiful weddings from the last few weeks to share (both hetero and homosexual weddings!), and still feel so blessed to be working with wonderful, sweet couples of all backgrounds. I hope that the diversity of my clients continues, and that the gay and lesbian couples (and straight ones!) out there know I am always happy to work with you, and support your commitment and union. Maybe breaking the law can be fun? : )



I know that this is a "hot button" (oh, are you so relieved that the pundits will finally stop talking about the elections?!) issue, but it comes from my heart, so I am unafraid of sharing my feelings here on the blog. Thank you for the support, and let's keep working towards a unified USA!

Please Vote No On Proposition 8!

I do get very passionate about politics, but try to keep that mostly out of my work (I am a firey redhead after all!). However, I feel too strongly about voting NO on Proposition 8 not to mention it here. I think everyone can see from the beautiful lesbian and gay weddings I've had the wonderful honor of photographing recently, that same sex couples will fall in love, make commitments, and create families regardless of what the government thinks or says. Even if I didn't know so many caring, beautiful couples who would be affected by this awful legislation, it sickens me to think that the government could be given the right to interfere into anyone's personal life so deeply. It was not so many decades ago that couples of "mixed race" were denied the right to marry, and as a society we are shocked by that. It makes absolutely no sense to me that two loving human beings could be denied their rights as Americans, and as people, to make a commitment to each other and have it legally recognized as marriage.



Anyway, if we could just get the word out to more people, Proposition 8 wouldn't have a chance. Unfortunately, money talks, and we are up against a lot of it in trying to defeat this proposition. So, once again this morning I have donated money to Equality California in order to help spread the word for love, peace and positivity,and I urge you to do the same. I know we are all feeling worried about the economy, but this is so important.



I have always wanted to photograph same sex weddings, and cried with joy when that dream became a reality this year. But really quickly the specialness of it wore off - not because I didn't love and adore these events (I did and I do!), but because I love and adore all of the weddings I get to see, and photographing gay and lesbian couples getting married is no different from photographing straight couples. The beauty of a connection between two people is the same regardless of gender, orientation, race, background, age, or anything else. It is just an amazing gift; who are we to try to deny that to anyone?!



And even more importantly, if you are a Californian, PLEASE vote no on Proposition 8. Vote love, not hate!



Thank you for listening! Back to work - I have LOTS more great weddings to share in the coming weeks.

Jamie and Michelle, Boonville Hotel, Boonville, California

(click above for the slideshow)

I have been loving the weddings I've shot this year! A new favorite (and, okay, the most recent one) was Jamie and Michelle's laid-back, lesbian, Jewish wedding. I'm finding that often the lesbian and gay couples whose weddings I photograph have been together for years, and have been through several commitment ceremonies and weddings, and I believe that was the case with these ladies. Not only have they been together for (I think) over a decade, but they have a lovely daughter, Phoenix, together. It seems to me that having gone through all of this before helps the couples to remain calm, stay grounded, and have so much fun on their wedding day!



On to the photos! There were so many lovely details, and I was blown away by the beautiful garden setting tucked behind the Boonville Hotel for the ceremony. I can't wait to have the chance to shoot there again! I had a really hard time narrowing these shots down, so finally I decided to post a few more than usual. I think you'll be glad to see the beautiful details and fun moments.



The flowers were phenomenal, done by a friend of Jamie's sister... I'll try to get her information and post it when I can. I know that the ladies didn't even get a chance to notice the arrangements and decorations in the whirlwind (I don't think they got to eat, either), so they were stoked to see the flowers represented so heavily in the photos.

Love this simple but breathtaking arrangement:





Adorable Phoenix seemed overwhelmed by the party at moments.



The lovely greenery entwined in the chuppah poles:



The daughter of the brides mustn't forget her tiara! (or her tattoos)



We just had a few quick moments for the extended family photos (which Phoenix didn't want to participate in, and who can blame her when there was so much beautiful garden to explore?), but I love how these turned out, thanks to the gorgeous scenery:





The ceremony was long and heartfelt, and incorporated several traditional Jewish traditions as interpreted by Jamie, Michelle, and their stunning cantor, Jewlia. I can't say enough great things about Jewlia! She performed a lovely and personal ceremony (complete with Hebrew, explanations in English, and suggestions for people of all kinds of faiths on how to support the women during the ceremony according to each person's beliefs and comfort.). She also performed with the fantastic band, Kugelplex, later in the afternoon. She totally kicked out the jams!



Jamie with the beautiful sunflower garden behind her:



A little "competition" for me during the ceremony :)



And the sweetness of the marriage ceremony itself:



There were so many great moments during the ceremony, I wish I could post them all here. Afterward, Kugelplex absolutely wailed a joyous klezmer sound, and guests moved to the hotel's big patio for amazing, casual food.



(Fun fact - Devon recognized Eugene, the bass player, from my brother's senior concert a few years ago. We asked him and he was like, "You're Austin Harris's sister?! I hang with Austin all of the time." Gotta love the small world of the Bay Area!)

I love this shot of one of the chuppah holders picking up the pieces from the breaking of the glass. Each bride got to smash her own!



The site of the ceremony:



The reception flowed just perfectly - the band was phenomenal and made everyone want to dance; the guests got up to perform Badchanjesters (a Jewish tradition in which the guests entertain the wedding couple) as they were inspired; there were many beautiful toasts; there was laughter and so much dancing! There was a great spontaneous hora, and everyone was so relaxed and happy.

This guy was beyond dapper, I love it!



The food was also fabulous - individual pizzas made before your eyes in the backyard pizza oven, panzanella, chicken skewers, and more.





There were bees buzzing around the happy garden all day, so of course I had to get a shot of two bees together (and watch the hotel's event manager laugh at me).



The lovely cantor in a raucous hora:



A little wine country moment:



One of the highlights of the day was when a couple close to the brides performed "Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)" with voice, ukulele, kazoo, and a slide whistle. I haven't thought about that song in a long time, and it was such a sweet moment, and led to this adorable kazoo family portrait:



Everyone was so happy to be there for Jamie and Michelle!







Okay, another shoe shot... but isn't this one worth it?!



More music from Kugelplex:



Jamie and Michelle set up their own guest portrait and book area, complete with wacky wigs, which were making a big hit as we left for the day. Thanks for having me be a part of such a wonderful day, and many continued blessings to you three ladies!