Hi Everyone! I’m Robin and I’m thrilled to be photoblogging and writing here on Autostraddle!!
You can expect my photoblog, “Auto-focus”, to be full of interviews and PHOTOS and thoughts and MORE PHOTOS and musings and STICK FIGURE DRAWINGS because if you’re anything like me; when you get a long-winded email from a friend or co-worker or your mom, you really wish there were just accompanying pictures rather than all those silly words. Maybe it’s ’cause I’m an artist that I’m such a circular thinker, but I’ve always tended to visualize my experiences rather than logically analyze them … or maybe it’s ’cause my attention span is about equal to a first grader riding a Pixie Sticks high. In any event, Auto-focus will be dedicated to all my visual peeps out there that wish the world was just one big (and often times gay) picture book.
First a little backstory …
After some time working for various photo studios and as a photographer/photo editor for MTV networks, I started Robin Roemer Photography LLC and now work as a professional photographer of people. Basically I spend most of my work-time either shooting subjects on location or lounging in my pajama pants in my home office. The pajama pants are red with gingerbread people on them, FYI. In addition to some of the flashier parts (that’s coming), much of my current work involves shooting everything from boudoir to family portraits to weddings. I love my job ’cause I get to take naps, meet interesting people, travel and dig into a craft I’m really passionate about.
I’ve photographed celebrity icons like Cyndi Lauper, Annie Lennox and the B-52s and awesome musical talents like Uh Huh Her, Sarah McLachlan and Lady Gaga and this one time when there were no suitably dressed extras on set in Jersey, I had a pretty major role as an actress in a Redman video. I’ve shot for TV and ad campaigns working with brands including LOGO, Levi’s and Disney and have published my work in major magazines like Sports Illustrated and Manhattan Bride as well as in reality and music television. In addition to three websites, I’ll now have four blogs which is kinda crazy, but also sexy and cool.
Now … the topic of the day/decade: Somebody’s Getting Married …
It’s springtime, which means a lot of wedding clients. I honestly believe being a wedding photographer is as crucial and exciting as any other job I can have as an artist and I value being employed to document a day that only comes once — a day that can never be re-enacted, styled or choreographed. It’s real. And most of the time, it’s also really beautiful.
But it is odd sometimes — photographing weddings and being gay.
It is strange to devote so much of my time fueling and supporting an institution that excludes us queers. In this country, the wedding industry isn’t simply non-progressive (for the most part), it’s downright discriminatory.
Robin and Carly
But before you roll your eyes, lemme tell you that I’m not about to get on a soap box. I’ve never had one, and I imagine if I was super political or angry — which I’m sure many argue I should be — I wouldn’t be shooting the 25 weddings I have booked for this coming year, only one of which is a union of two loving ladies.
In fact — I actually love photographing weddings.
There’s the superficial reasons — I love girlie things. I do. I like shoes and party dresses and I like flowers and I like nice linens. I like design and I like color palettes. I like being in a room with a bunch of super happy well-dressed and well-groomed people acting genuinely and giving me a wide range of emotions to photograph. Making people look good when they’re already looking & feeling their best? Not a bad gig at all.
And on a deeper level there’s something really wonderful about the fact that after years of putting up with our own idiosyncratic family structures, there comes a point when we get to make our own. After witnessing (and focusing on) over 250 vows being exchanged, even the deepest cynic might find themselves humbled.
So when is it tough?
I still have this internal struggle regarding the idea of a traditional marriage. And by that I mean the “between a man and a woman” definition preached by all the right-winging, God-fearing conservatives. In one traditional wedding ceremony after another, I hear sermons and requisite lines from religious texts that seek to solidify the belief that there is a God who doesn’t believe in Gay. Not only do I not see enough gay weddings, I don’t see enough gay-friendly weddings!
It feels bizarrely old-fashioned to be an independent self-employed woman who’s legally barred from participating personally in the industry I passionately work within.
Now, lets get one thing straight. (hee hee) Even before my own sexuality was fully realized, I was never one of those girls who dreamed about a white dress, a Ken-doll bride and a conventional fairy tale wedding. So, one might ask, why would photographing traditional weddings ever be a conflict if I never wanted one in the first place? I think it’s because the industry as a whole doesn’t represent gay marriage. There’s a lack of visibility that makes you feel like as a Gay Person, you’re on the outside of this idea of honoring and witnessing love and commitment.
If I do have a wedding one day, I’ll likely wind up rocking a blue dress to a loft party MCed by drag queens. Another lesbian might want to wear a white flowing dress and hold a bouquet of pink roses. But either way, people need to see queer weddings as something of importance, significance, and an event — and a love — that is equally celebrated by all people. I believe I have the right to be in love with a woman and someday enjoy the same legal rights to create and protect my very own family as any straight couple has today, and it feels bizarrely old-fashioned to be an independent self-employed woman who’s legally barred from participating personally in the industry I passionately work within.
So, we’re gonna do something about it!
This November, Proposition 8 was passed, making it once again illegal for gays and lesbians in California — who’d just months earlier been granted the right to marry — to enter into marriage. And today the same-sex marriage bill in Vermont — well on its way to passing — was set back when the governor announced he would veto the bill.
This is obviously not the first victory and then failure of our justice system. I’ve seen enough love through my lens to know that we all have the same feelings when we make a life-long commitment to another person — that’s part of what I love about my job. So, as the ebb and flow of laws and regulations has us being lifted up only to be let down again, the best we can do is support each other until the majority catches up, wakes up, and realizes that by imposing laws on our love, the only thing they are breeding is hate.
I’m not the first one to suggest that legalizing gay marriage would be a perfect way to stimulate the economy, and so that’s my proposal. Do you know how much money gets poured into small business every time a chapel bell chimes? It’d be cool with me if we legalized civil unions across the board and left marriage up to the churches. Either way, I’ll be registering at Pottery Barn. (See Roemer-Usdin registry at the additional stores; Crate and Barrel, Apple, Kid Robot, B&H Photo….)
This is why I’m starting an organization specifically for gays and gay allies in this crazy industry of his-and-hers rings and man-woman cake toppers. Because, firstly, I want to see how many of us there are and secondly, as I said I’m not a soapbox kind of gal. I don’t just wanna talk about change, I want to see change — well, there’s that visual thinking thing again. I want to change something for the better. My organization is called W.I.F.E. and it stands for “Wedding Industry for Equality” (that sounded better than G.R.O.O.M. “Gays Really Oppose Opposing Marriage”, which just doesn’t make much sense).
I hope this organization can be both a networking resource and a possible philanthropic venture. Lets use W.I.F.E. as a support system but also a forum for generating our own ideas. I need your help! Join the group on facebook and share your ideas and suggestions on how we can make a difference within the industry. Marriage should be an option for everyone and equality shouldn’t even be a question.
Thanks for listening and maybe next time, if you’re lucky, I’ll have a few less words and a few more pictures! xoxoxo
Wow, just saw some pictures from your four portfolios and I absolutely loved them!
Why thank you!!! :)
Outstanding Robin!! Kudos to you, you’re an excellent writer and even better photographer so your blog will be a surefire success.
Best,
Eitan
Thanks Eitan!
Well obviously I loved the photos that you took of Uh Huh Her. And your other photos are just as awesome. Carly’s face in that photo is priceless!
Will be looking forward to future posts from you!
Yes, I want to photograph those girls again. They were lots of fun.
Carly’s face is that photo makes me LOL.
These photos are incredible – and I think the one of Cyndi Lauper from your portfolio is amazing. Really enjoyed this, can’t wait for your next post.
Thanks Crystal! Go team!
i admit it — i’ve looked through your Boudoir collection before — so so pretty. love your work, love the title, love the idea behind W.I.F.E.
i even love your bangs!
Yeah, what she said.
Definitely looking forward to more posts!
Thank you Greeeeeeen. I love boudoir- only when done right – but it has the potential of being sexy and fun.
Pottery Barn, eh? Hmm… not sure how I feel about that…
jk! i love this!! yay! #1 fan reporting for duty!
At ease, soldier. ;) Operation Pottery Barn is a go!
i love love love love the idea of W.I.F.E.
Thank you Autumn!!! Meeeee tooo, I hope it grows! I had lots of ideas for it, but I def want some input.
Your photos are so rich and gorgeous! Good luck with your W.I.F.E. :)
Thank you, thank you! Spread the word!!
i LOVE robin’s pictures. i go on her site and look at them because she is so uber talented. also semi jeal she has carlytron. anyway. oh robin you are very good.
you have bette davis eyes.
I’d be totes jeal too. She’s kind of the best. ever.
Gorgeous photos. And I totally understand the sentiment behind your issues w. wedding photography – I work in marketing and I’ve found myself in similar situations a few times – you articulated it really well.
Anyway, really well-written post and I look forward to more!
Thanks Mindy. Its always a bit hard to put into words without seeming negative or bitter (which I hope is only on occasion).
Robin!
I absolutely love your photography but more than that, your words here made my heart sing a little louder. TOTALLY adore W.I.F.E, totally adore all of your various subjects of art (and have been lurking since I became aware of the various blogs via teamlinks etc)
Can I ask about your logo? Because I think it’s really lovely.
What a delightful intro and I can’t wait to see what else you contribute to autostraddle
xoxc
Hi there! Thanks so much!!! My logo was done by the extraordinary talent that is Arianna Stolt! She is an amazing illustrator and a very dear friend of mine. http://uglygreen.com/
I feel like saying that your photography is brilliant isn’t enough. And W.I.F.E. is also a rockin’ idea- I’ll spread it around :)
Thank you so much! Please do!
hey robin – i wanted to say i love your work obvs but was totally impressed by your actual writing – i never really thought about how difficult it must be for you to photograph weddings, but as someone above said, you articulated it really well. really looking forwards to your column!
I really appreciate that.. especially coming from a real writer such as yourself. :)
You are magnificent. You are like a daughter to me. Your words, your photos, your being are breathtaking. I’m so very lucky to have you in my life. I support W.I.F.E. and any other endeavor you and Carly choose to embark on.
You’ve almost made me cry twice in one week. I am the lucky one here! :) And Carly, cause shes got the best mom ever. Love you tons!
wait actually that almost made me cry too. my eyes just watered. natalie’s eyes watered too. not gonna lie.
We’re so lucky to have found such a talented artist to capture the most important day of our life.
Love the blog and absolutely adore you!
Thanks Jen! I’m looking forward to your wedding! I can’t wait! :)
Wow! There’s some very proactive ladies on this site. W.I.F.E = Impressive.
I really hope through this article, W.I.F.E. can gain some initial momentum/a core group of members. I’ve been reaching out to different gay wedding networks but I want to get the entire industry involved (and anyone else who wants to be, of course).
WOW Robin! This photoblog rocks and I am so thrilled to follow you here. I will spread the word about W.I.F.E. and am looking forward to an another Lingerie Boudoir Event!
Thanks Margaret!! I can’t wait to plan another event with you!
Robin,
Well said. I am very excited about what you are doing. We are very excited to have you be there for our special day. The venue that we are using for the wedding is extremely gay friendly (the saleswoman is a lesbian) if you want to add them to your list.
Heather
Thanks Heather! I’m excited too. :) I would love to contact that place… thanks for the lead!
i absolutely love your photos. you’re so talented, and kinda the cutest thing ever. i go to stanford, and obvs have no connection to you guys, but thanks so much for everything you do. you and carly and beautiful together. plus her taste in tv rocks.
Ellen, that’s so sweet- Thank You. :) I’ll tell Carly, she’ll be happy to hear it.
i am an anti-weddings person, but you’ve made me rethink some things with your post. i kind of cannot hate weddings anymore if people like you work on them…damned!!
i hope that bloomberg´s idea becomes facts more than words. it would be awesome that gay marriage got legalized in NYC
(if i think about it, gay marriage has been legalized in any state I have lived so far…Spain, CT…wait, do I have super powers???)
Wow.. maybe you need to spread some of your influential magic to NYC. :) I hope you are right about Bloomberg’s statements as well.
Yeah, I totally understand about being anti-weddings. I really never thought I’d even want to get married. I’m still not sure sometimes about that word, “marry”. But do I want to be with one person for the rest of my life and have all of the rights that should come along with that and throw my friends a huge party?… absolutely. And while I think the rights are more important than the word… its still separate and therefore not equal and won’t ever be considered a social norm until we have full use of the language as well. :)
You photography is beautiful and your words- even more so.
Great blog. You have a quite intriguing perspective from being a photographer at so many weddings. I completely agree with how queer unions and marriages don’t feel quite like something honored and sared by mainstream society, because it is not presented as such. Also, very interested in W.I.F.E. I’m playing with some ideas right now that might help expand equality in the wedding industry, thanks for the awesome contribution of your energy.
WOW. I am so excited I found your blog (from whiteknot.org)
AND I am SUPER excited about your organization and can’t wait to see where you take it and how we can all help! :)