As a queer woman and a professional wedding photographer, marriage equality is very near and dear to my heart. Over the past eight years, I’ve photographed over 300 weddings, witnessing a very important and memorable day in the lives of many well-deserving happy couples. I love my job, but part of me will always feel a little sad every time I pick up my camera because I can’t legally marry in my own state of New York.
The news Friday from Albany changes my feelings about being a New York-based wedding photographer significantly and I look forward to what I anticipate to be a lot of same-sex weddings over the next few years. And although we all want and expect to see same-sex marriage be protected under federal law, I want to do something to celebrate my home state and give back to my community and couples so deserving of documentation of their weddings/unions.
So…
In celebration of New York Marriage Equality and in recognition of same-sex unions everywhere —
I’m giving away free wedding photography to one gay or lesbian couple valued at $4000.
Please feel free to view my recent wedding photography at www.robinroemerweddings.com and decide if you would like to enter the contest by emailing me at robin@autostraddle.com.
Requirements:
+ You must be a gay couple with serious plans of marriage/an actual wedding date in 2011 or 2012.
+ All ages and locations welcome. (If you’re outside the New York Metro area, you’ll need to be able to pay my travel expenses.)
Submit:
+ A photograph of the two of you together
+ Your story (400 words or less why you should be the winning couple)
+ The location of your wedding gala/party/backyard BBQ
+ The date of your wedding.
The deadline for entries is July 25th. The top five couples are picked based on your unique and charming stories and my availability, of course. These five couples’ photos and stories will be shared on Autostraddle.com, where readers will be able to vote for the winning couple.
The couple who wins will be featured in a post on Autostraddle.com following their wedding so our readers can witness their celebration through photography.
My work has been published in the New York Magazine Weddings Issue, WellWed New York, Brides New York, Manhattan Bride and various other media outlets. I’ve also worked for MTV and corporate clients such as Levi Strauss & Co and Disney on Broadway. You can see more weddings as well as commercial work on my website.
Also. Also. Also: A signed copy of the book, The Green Bride Guide: How to Create an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget by Kate L. Harrison, and a gift certificate for a $250 shopping spree to their Green Wedding Registry to the winning couple from Green Bride Guide– the largest online resource for eco-friendly wedding ideas, products and services.
AND!
+ A personalized wedding ceremony valued at $850-$1,000 provided by Elizabeth Phaire, Life-Cycle Celebrant & Wedding Officiant.
brb, typing up the incredibly true story of me & two tables in love.
but seriously, this is amazing. i can’t wait to see the top five happy couples and then the winnaaaars on the big day! they’re gonna be some hella lucky homogays with kickass pics of the day, most definitely :D
Mahogany, oak, steel, round, square, folding? Tell me more, tell me more like is it a functioning bar? I would vote for you.
if i wasn’t paranoid of putting my face on the internets i would legit submit an entry of myself all over a table with a veil on it or some shit.
Well, the veil could cover your face… Just a thought. Don’t let my overwhelming desire to see your table love influence you.
You could do something like this, except instead of a dude you could be holding a table. And you’ll become silhouettes when you’re bodies finally go:
http://beautifulbridalbody.com/archives/images/top.jpg
Ahhh this is making me teary!! I love gay weddings. Robin, this is so wonderful of you to do, and I can’t wait to see the Top 5 :D
What’s the deadline to enter? My partner & I are definitely going to be getting married, but we don’t have a date or location or anything yet! We weren’t even considering a wedding before Friday night so we’ve got a lot of planning to do still, haha. :)
LESBIAN CAGE MATCH FOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY.
at least that’s how i would like the winners to compete. like a reality show but i would watch it.
lol, spittled some coffee out over that :)
must have epic wrestling entrances to stereotypical lesbian songs (tegan and sara)
The word sperm should be banned from that show though. Just sayin.
This is AWESOME! And what a coinky-dink! I just got egayged recently (for reals!) “Baby, we gotta pick a frickin’ date right now!”
Ohmygodddd Robin! That is the nicest thing ever! I can’t wait to vote…shit like this just reinforces how awesome Autostraddle is. Legit just made my morning.
:D :D :D
Very nice Robin! Hope you’re still doing weddings in the +10 or so years until I might feel like settling down!
I don’t really believe in karma, but seriously good karma here. Such a lovely and kind gesture :)
>>FOREVER ALONE<<
(dont worry, this is for comedic value, not for emoness)
>>JOINS YOU IN THE PITY PARTY<<
>>I JUST WANNA WRITE IN CAPS<<
I want to marry you comment.. and have Robin photograph it.
Yay! Don’t rush into it kiddies, but I figure there are lots of people already planning their weddings out there.
If you are curious to read my reviews, they are here. http://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/robin-roemer-photography-new-york/db3ce826116b8f05.html
What a lovely gesture Robin! Good on ya!
I second that emotion
i love everything about this!!!
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I went to one of these weddings!! It was skittles-themed!!! BEST WEDDING EVER. I think maybe from now on I’ll only accept invites to gay weddings. Hetero ones just can’t dream of living up to that level of fun (no offense to the heteros, but it’s true).
That is awesome, Robin
Thanks!
!
You are so amazingly cool, Robin! Cheers to all of the couples who apply!
YES to all of this. Can there be a gallery of cuteness for the runners up? I just like cuteness and stories and happiness being legal and where I can see/awwwww over it.
This is amazing. I don’t know any gay couples getting married but I’m going to tell straight friends about you too. 2011’s bride choice, way to go!
Robin, you make my life. This is so generous and kind, and if I had a wedding date, I would definitely be entering.
I want you guys to know… you don’t need to having a big traditional wedding. IF you plan on getting hitched at some point before the end of 2012, if you are eloping, if you are open to different dates right now, you should still enter! :)
Sigh…
I don’t think about getting married often, or the details of future-wedding, but your photography is a good reason to think about it. Every time I see your wedding pictures or engagement sessions it warms my little heart.
I’m becoming a fan on Facebook. This just got serious.
Omg. This post convinced me to finally come out of the woodwork and make a real comment. We’re entering and I could not be more excited!
You rock, Robin.
And now I’ve even registered. Yay.
AUTOSTRADDLE WILL DO THAT DO YOU SO YEA FOR YOU!!! AND YOU WILL ALSO WANT TO COMMENT IN ALL CAPS TOO SOMETIMES WITH LOTS OF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
in other words, welcome!
Robin: Thank you so much for doing this!!
I submitted myself and my partner. Our date is set for October, everything is in order with the exception of the photographer. We had one but he took our money and bailed. So now we are in desperate need of not only a photographer but one who understands that we don’t want your typical straight pictures. We are both in wedding dresses and boith very feminine and we both want to feel like “the only bride”. I think Robin can capture this perfectly. I wish we could have used more than 400 words!! :(
Robin: Thank you so much for doing this!!
I submitted myself and my partner. Our date is set for October, everything is in order with the exception of the photographer. We had one but he took our money and bailed. So now we are in desperate need of not only a photographer but one who understands that we don’t want your typical straight pictures. We are both in wedding dresses and both very feminine and we both want to feel like “the only bride”. I think Robin can capture this perfectly. I wish we could have used more than 400 words!! :(
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I just submitted! I’m so excited for this contest, what a great opportunity!
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