making progress.
jessica + holly are getting married this weekend – woohoo! i had the pleasure of meeting these ladies back in april when they were searching for the perfect photographer to document their wedding, and we did an awesomely fun mini-shoot for their save-the-dates! now that the big day is almost here, we got together again (this time in dc!) for a real engagement session…we started at the sculpture garden (one of their favorite places) and made our way across the city, stopping in dupont circle where they had their first date, breezing by starbucks (holly’s fave) and even taking a break for brownies + coffee. we ended up on U street for a final shot underneath one of the iconic obama posters labeled PROGRESS. this was the sunday before the election, before president elect obama was the next leader of the country. the girls sat down underneath the poster and i can’t quite explain what a huge impact this photo, and this moment had on me.
i don’t believe in getting too political, but i do believe in a lot of things, and in light of current events there are a few things i’d like to share with everyone, and with jessica + holly in particular, in regard to my very strong and very specific beliefs on life + love. i have traveled all over this world and witnessed life, love and freedom in very different ways. i feel honored to document life and am extremely passionate about the world and it’s people. that said, i believe in people, and i believe in that which is good.
i believe in the right of every individual to live freely and openly according to their own destiny. i believe that this right is not contingent on race, religion, gender, or sexual preference.
i believe in absolute and lasting equality and opportunity for all people.
i believe in an idealized american dream and that being american means, above all else, tolerance, hope and true, enduring progress.
i believe that our country is making progress, even if it’s not fast enough and even if it’s not perfect.
i believe in love.
i am hopeful, i am excited, and i am proud to live in a country where most people believe in these very principles, however i am disturbed by those who do not.
i am thrilled to live in a time where we are finally starting to treat each other the right way. i anxiously await the day when respect is mandated and where prejudice will fade into the pages of history.
until that day, i am thankful for the opportunities i have, the people i have met along the way, and the lessons i have learned. my heart is filled with pride and hope for president-elect barack obama, who represents hope and progress for so many people, in so many ways.
so, in spite of all that is still wrong with the world, i dedicate this post to progress for that which is right. to the election of the first black president of the united states, and to the marriage of two beautiful, wonderful women who represent all that is right with love.
jessica + holly: thank you for inspiring me. thank you for sharing your love, your lives, and your story with me.
blonde photo :: have more fun! 
These are adorable! Great pics. :)
love those big iron doors on dupont circle! great post jaime.
These are very cute shots!! The last 2 are my favorite:) Also, a very powerful post!! Great job Jaime!!
*loves it*
you give me goosebumps, himay. great post. great pictures. lotsa love.
have i told you lately how VERY PROUD i am of you? well i am more and more every day! i love you…you are awesome!
beautiful shots (as usual)
and i believe in your right to speak your mind
in fact, i very much enjoy listening to you do so :)
Fantastic pix of some of my favorite people, and also a great commentary. As a Californian, I’m ecstatic re Obama becoming our president-elect but terribly disappointed re Prop. 8. I feel so hopeful for many reasons, though, still, and I think at some point — maybe even sooner than we think — it will be just a distant memory that not everyone could marry legally nationwide. I believe it! I just wish it was *right now* so they could come out here and get married in SF!
nicole: i couldn’t agree with you more! i am so dismayed by proposition 8 and all those who support dictating the lives of others.
mamasita, kim, and (the other) nicole: thank you. your support and awesome comments mean the world to me.
Keep living the American dream Jaime… and keep producing beautiful pics!
Nice post Jaime.
we will get there. we are getting there. i appreciate your sentiment and add to it only that “we are responsible”. despite the conditions that have been left for us to contend with in our cities, in our legal system and in our vast and sometimes ill social-structure, it is our responsibility to shape the future.
it is said that the worth of a society is measured by the manner in which it treats its weakest member. to that end, and in the interest of change, fortunately time is on our side.
we’ll be thinking of you in boston next weekend :)
kate
wonderful! xoxo! i am so proud to have a friend like you!!!
Jamie, you are great, great, great! We need more people like you around. Beautiful post, thanks for sharing your talents with us.
A very inspiring post! Cute couple, sounds like it’ll be a sweet wedding!
jaime! we love the photos and are so so proud to have you as our photographer. it’s ppl like you–with your beliefs, courage and hopes–that make true and lasting change in this world. we can’t wait to see you this weekend.
lots of love, jessica & holly
Well said. Here’s to love!!
HOLY MOLY!!!!!!! Not only are these some of my FAVORITE PICTURES EVERRRR…..OBAMA is in the first PICTURE!!!!! They look FABULOUS and he tops it off…..BEST PICTURE EVEEERRRR
love your words and love these shots. can’t wait to see their wedding pics!
Jaime,
I love everything about this. The pics are phemomenal as usual, the blog very eloquently written and the love that you captured so pure and obvious. Love it all! Keep it coming!
Oh and congrats to the ladies getting married!
jaime you are such a kind heart. if only there were more people in the world like you. i am proud to know you.
denise
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wonderful post. wonderful photographs. You are just and right to fight for the rights of other, Jaime. Dont’ let anyone tell you differently! Keep up the wonderful work!