The past few months have been incredibly busy, stressful, and rewarding all in equal measure. I apologise to anyone who has been trying to keep up with the project since November. Back in December and January, the wedding photos I took of one of my couples caused quite of bit of international controversy, and the story popped up in several international newspapers. With an “Ok,” from my clients, I decided to make lemonade of the situation and fought to earn a bit of cash for Marriage Equality off the back of the scandal.
It’s stuff like that that reinforces my belief that this project, however small in comparison to other LGBT rights fundraisers, is still important and necessary. With that, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve booked a venue for the exhibition. It will run from 22-30 June 2012 in Exchange Dublin, and is the only place you will see prints of the photos that caused the kerfuffle. Watch this space for more details.
A couple of weeks ago I was interviewed by a writer for Confetti. I gave such long answers to the questions, you’d think I had been writing War and Peace to her, so they had to cut something. Unfortunately part of what she cut was a plug for our lovely sponsors, Pretty as a Picture. So I hope you don’t mind if I plug them here (btw check out their new christmas gift shop!). You can read the full article about the project here.
After receiving some worrying emails about insufficient funds, I’m happy to see that Marriage Equality is back in action with a new billboard campaign called “Just Love,” and a new television ad, which nearly had me in tears. Keep up the good work, guys!
Just another fantastic couple I’ve had the pleasure to meet. One of the most romantic weddings I’ve had the pleasure to shoot. Everything about their day oozed with their own style. The cake, the Dr. Who figures at all the tables, the neverending ABBA/ Tottenham Hotspurs references, the ride on the DART to and from the Registry Office, all were so specific and personal to them.
One of my favourite memories from the day was a story that Brian’s niece told me about when she and her sister were little and Brian would try to slip in football facts when reading the Hobbit to them.
The reason I’m spamming you, my readers, today is because Marriage Equality have recently had their main source of funding, Atlantic Philanthropies, pulled. If they do not raise enough emergency donations from supporters, Marriage Equality will have to close their doors for good. This is such an important cause that is so close to my heart as you all know.
I know that some of you might live abroad, and while you may think that donating to Irish Marriage Equality doesn’t affect you, I assure you that it does. Having one more European country on the map with civil partnerships and, hopefully, full marriage equality in the future sets a standard and example for the rest of the world to follow. I never thought that I’d see Civil Partnerships passed in Catholic Ireland before my home State of Washington, but it has thanks to the Marriage Equality Campaign. We’re so close to getting full marriage rights for Gay and Lesbian couples and it would be a tragedy to lose that spotlight right before it’s in our grasp.
If you support this project and full marriage rights, PLEASE donate whatever you can. Thank you.
Frank and Eric put on the BIGGEST wedding I have EVER been to in my entire career as a photographer. I thought because of the sheer size that it would lose some of it’s intimacy, but everyone there had such lovely stories to tell about the couple and knew them well. Eric had a lot of his family flown over from Paris to be here on the day, so Frank’s sister gave part of her speech in French so the in-laws wouldn’t feel left out. Unfortunately, both Frank’s parents had past away relatively recently, so instead of party favours at the table, the couple decided to make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland. Such an amazingly strong couple, and I wish them only the best!
Hey Everybody! Sorry I haven’t posted anything about Pride Month. Due to circumstances beyond my control (piles and piles of photo editing to be done + Day Job = no Pride for Shawna) I was unable to take part in any of the festivities despite living literally in the centre of town.
On Saturday, however, I came home from work exhausted find that not only had my boyfriend cleaned the flat, but also laid out a massive rainbow flag across the bed. Awwww! Coolest boyfriend on the planet!
Then, when I checked the post this morning, the book that I’ve been meaning to read for ages, The Commitment by Dan Savage, finally arrived. My week is SORTED.
As promised, here are selection of photos from Claire and Patricia’s special day. However, the party went on long after this photographer was off duty. The guests stayed the whole weekend and camped out on the grounds of Hilton Park. The next night they build a bonfire and sang songs. I’m gutted that I couldn’t stay, and it’s times like these, I wish this was my full time job. So if any of you out there would like to pay me a wage to shoot gay weddings for the rest of my life, that’d be much appreciated! Anyway, on to the photos:
Firstly, I’d like to congratulate Claire and Patricia on their beautiful civil ceremony and reception last weekend. The atmosphere was so sunny and delightful, that no one, not even the countless nieces and nephews who courageously acted out a fake war for us in the gardens, noticed the drizzle coming from the sky. I’ll post a few more photos later.
But first… Congratulations to New York State, whose Assembly last night approved a same-sex MARRIAGE bill! The bill is now being sent off to the Senate, and you can read the full article on Marriage Equality’s website. Woohoo New York!!
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