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! 