DH and I are shooting our first same sex wedding on Wednesday. It will be Alex's first time taking getting ready shots with a bride. We have never actually met them though so we aren't sure which bride is the dress bride vs the pants bride (or if they are both dress/pants brides!)
They are traveling up here to Ontario as their destination wedding from Maryland. The one we have corresponded with most told me on the phone that they are just happy that their love will be recognized somewhere.
Hi,
I am working with a lesbian couple who recently married and are having their first baby. So I have had the honor of shooting their maternity shots and commitment ceremony. (I'm also "on call" for the birth!)
I must say that they have been so easy to work with, very natural and clearly totally in love with one another. I know that heterosexual couples can also be loving and passionate in front of the camera. But with this couple what has been different is the look that says "thank goodness I found you" which is clear in your shots as well. I think that's unique with same sex couples who decide to commit. Even though the world is beginning to accept their sexuality more than even in the recent past, there is still a ton of prejudice. So it's their relationship and commitment "against the world" so to speak. And a good photographer captures that emotional aspect that often does not exist in the heterosexual couple.
I'm photographing my first same sex ceremony this afternoon, and looking forward to it. A nice break from the routine... I'm in Palm Springs so I doubt it will be my last either.
While I think the images themselves are good, you asked...no I wouldn't. I'd let someone else have the job. If I relied on the income for a living, I'm sure I could find another job during this weekend. For me...if I did this, where is my line for what I believe in? This is something I struggle with now (where is my line), but doing something just to get paid isn't my cup of tea. Besides, if I don't agree with something, my full attention wouldn't be there and that isn't fair to the bride(s)
Question for the photographers who have been and goto church on a regular thing, since this is not socially allowed in the eyes of the church, as a photographer should you not be photographing such events?
Gary Harfield wrote:
...since this is not socially allowed in the eyes of the church...
Well, that depends on the church.
While the Roman Catholic Church, most Lutheran churches, most Baptist churches, etc. take a stance against homosexuality, the Episcopal Church (the Anglican Communion in the USA) is tolerant to the extent that they have not only ordained gay priests, but even have at least one gay bishop. The Old Catholic Church, the American Catholic Church, etc. also have "inclusive" doctrines.
The United Church of Christ, IIRC, accepts homosexuality, as does the Unitarian/Universalist Church.
Many churches will hold "Commitment Ceremonies" and/or "Civil Union" ceremonies, and in the states that have legalized same-gender marriage there are some churches that will allow full "Sacrament of Marriage" ceremonies.
As noted in the link above, the marriage of Josh and Adam was held in a Jewish temple in California.
Just as individuals have different views on the subject, so too do different churches.
While Leviticus speaks very clearly against homosexuality (and against a lot of other things, too), Jesus Himself is not recorded as to have spoken on the subject.
In the face of such contradiction, the best one can do is to pray for guidance, and let one's conscience be one's guide.
While the Roman Catholic Church, most Lutheran churches, most Baptist churches, etc. take a stance against homosexuality, the Episcopal Church (the Anglican Communion in the USA) is tolerant to the extent that they have not only ordained gay priests, but even have at least one gay bishop. The Old Catholic Church, the American Catholic Church, etc. also have "inclusive" doctrines.
The United Church of Christ, IIRC, accepts homosexuality, as does the Unitarian/Universalist Church.
Many churches will hold "Commitment Ceremonies" and/or "Civil Union" ceremonies, and in the states that have legalized same-gender marriage there are some churches that will allow full "Sacrament of Marriage" ceremonies.
As noted in the link above, the marriage of Josh and Adam was held in a Jewish temple in California.
Just as individuals have different views on the subject, so too do different churches.
While Leviticus speaks very clearly against homosexuality (and against a lot of other things, too), Jesus Himself is not recorded as to have spoken on the subject.
In the face of such contradiction, the best one can do is to pray for guidance, and let one's conscience be one's guide.
Ok, but what about the "how the photographer was brought up" How does he or she handle this when he or she goes to church. Does what the photographer believe in allow him or her to photograph such event.
Gary Harfield wrote:
Ok, but what about the "how the photographer was brought up" How does he or she handle this when he or she goes to church. Does what the photographer believe in allow him or her to photograph such event.
He or she handles it according to his or her beliefs. One photographer's beliefs may not allow him to do it, while another's beliefs may allow it.
I won't photograph a same-gender wedding because I'm against it, but I don't fault those whose beliefs are different from mine.
One must follow one's own convictions. If one chooses wrongly, all is not lost:
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
In other words, no one is perfect. We've all done wrong. But that doesn't condemn us if we are Christians.
I know, I know; this is a photography forum, not a pulpit. But the question came up and is relevant to wedding photographers' vocations.
Gary Harfield wrote:
...Anyway, to me, money is money, you want to pay me, I'll be there.
Well, that's certainly one valid approach. One has an obligation to put food on the table and to pay one's taxes.
But if you have deeper concerns or questions, even though you aren't practicing your family's faith at the moment, I bet you could find a rabbi who wouldn't mind talking to you about it.
BrianO wrote:
While Leviticus speaks very clearly against homosexuality (and against a lot of other things, too), Jesus Himself is not recorded as to have spoken on the subject.
In the face of such contradiction, the best one can do is to pray for guidance, and let one's conscience be one's guide.
BrianO wrote:
Church A is against it, church B is okay with it.
Reverend Smith is against it, Reverend Jones is okay with it.
Etc., etc.
Lots of contradiction. The only answer for one person is to follow his or her conscience.
Um no....don't put all of your stock into teachings (or your suggestion of humanism) of any reverend, pastor, etc...if it's not the teachings of the Bible. Just because it's what you want to hear, doesn't mean it's ok (don't leave one place cuz you got offended and now you want a warm fuzzy) 1 truth...everthing else is man's attempt to be better than God = fail/cult/hell. If you have an issue with this, take it up with Jesus.
Now you gone and made me preach...Good day. Back to Lightroom 2
Matt Lomeli wrote:
Um no....don't put all of your stock into teachings (or your suggestion of humanism) of any reverend, pastor, etc.... if it's not the teachings of the Bible. Just because it's what you want to hear, doesn't mean it's ok (don't leave one place cuz you got offended and now you want a warm fuzzy) 1 truth...everthing else is man's attempt to be better than God = fail/cult/hell. If you have an issue with this, take it up with Jesus.
Yup, just look to good ol' Jesus and the bible for moral guidance.
In Deuteronomy 13:6-16, the Lord instructs Israel to kill anyone who worships a different god or who worships the Lord differently.
In Mark 7:9, Jesus is critical of the Jews for not killing their disobedient children as prescribed by Old Testament law.
In Luke 19:22-27, Jesus orders killed anyone who refuses to be ruled by him.
Jesus recommends that to avoid sin we cut off our hands and pluck out our eyes. This advice is given immediately after he says that anyone who looks with lust at any women commits adultery. Now that's moral guidance I can live by!
Seriously though, I would have no issue shooting a same-sex marriage/union. To me that seems as ridiculous as refusing to shoot a black wedding. People need to stop living in the dark ages, and using an old book of fables as a moral compass instead of their own good nature.
Thanks to all for your contributions. While the issue of same sex marriage is relevant to our industry and craft, threads on the subject inevitably turn into a religious argument. With that, I believe this thread has run its course.
