About a week ago, I was offered a photographer's position at Flytographer. For those of you who have yet to hear about this amazing company: Flytographers was founded by Nicole Smith in January of 2013 and is based out of Victoria, British Columbia. In short, this company arranges photo shoots for folks who are on vacation! If you're like me, you're always behind the lens... and rarely in front of it. Currently, there are photographers working in over 150 cities around the world. Heading to New York City? London? Venice? or Tokyo? Would you like someone to take you and your family's photo? Flytographers. Sailing over to Bermuda? Interested in having someone take your photo? Well, lucky you... I know just the photogarpher!
Wedding Chicks & 100 Layer Cake
It has been quite the week for Fiander Foto! Love must be in the air as the phone has been ringing off the hook! I took these phone calls as a sign that I should "step up my game" and become a vendor two of my favorite blogs: Wedding Chicks and 100 Layer Cake! If you haven't heard of these blogs yet, be sure to check them out by clicking "here"...and "here". These two sites are fantastic resources for all you brides and grooms out there!
I'm already very impressed with becoming a vendor for Wedding Chicks' because their customer service is top notch! I had a few simple questions upon signing up and sending in images so I sent an e-mail - and - received a response within 30 seconds. Literally. 30. Seconds. (Thank you Nick at Wedding Chicks!) Similar to the customer service photographers provide their own clients, it's nice to receive the same treatment! What is fantastic about 100 Layer Cake is that I'm able to submit promotions that I'm running for all to see! Pretty sweet, eh? If you've worked with me in the past, please be sure to write a review: click "here" for details.
Celebrating Marriage Equality
The morning of June 26th almost started out like most of my Friday mornings: coffee, blueberries, e-mail, and NPR. This particular Friday was a little different because I was also packing to catch a 2pm flight back home to Washington D.C. from Bermuda. Half-way through my cup of coffee, an article caught my eye on NPR's website: "Supreme Court Declares Same-Sex Marriage Legal In All 50 States", written by Bill Chappell. Excitement and slight disbelief both set in as I began to rapidly read through the article. Unfortunately - like most mornings - time had slipped away from me and I was unable to finish reading Chappell's article before my friend Michi arrived at my doorstep to bring me to the airport.
We have watched as one State after another legalized (or signed bills against): "domestic partnerships", "civil unions", and "same-sex marriages". The first state to legalize same-sex marriage was Massachusetts on May 17th, 2004, eight days after I had graduated from Lynchburg College. Up next - and skipping California's mishap with Prop 8 - Connecticut legalized same-sex marriage on October 10, 2008. The following year, three states did the same: Iowa on April 3rd, Vermont on April 7th, and New Hampshire on June 3rd. On March 3rd, 2010, same-sex marriage became legal in Washington D.C. Ten days later, two of my "uncles" - long time family friends - Bruce and Don were finally married after being together for 35 years. Lucky me, I had the honor of photographing their wedding and being a witness to one of the first same-sex marriages in the District of Columbia.
In more recent years, a glorious domino effect occurred as one state after another (and a handful of Native American Tribes) continued to recognize and legalize same-sex marriage. In 2011, the State of New York and the Suquamish Tribe in the State of Washington legalized it. In 2012, the rest of Washington State passed a bill to support marriage equality along with Maryland and Maine. In 2013, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians also chose to recognize same-sex marriage; the state of Michigan following not long behind. Rhode Island, Delaware, Minnesota, the Santa Ysabel Tribe in California, the State of California, New Mexico, the State of New Jersey, Hawaii, and Illinois - all legalized same-sex marriage. (2013 was a big year!) On October 6th, 2014, the States of Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Utah struck down same-sex marriage bans; stating it was unconstitutional. Colorado and Nevada joined the "marriage equality" train a few days later on the 7th and 8th of October; West Virginia on 9th; North Carolina on 10th; Alaska on 12th; Idaho on 15th; Arizona and Wyoming on 17th of October. During the month of November, Kansas, South Carolina, and Montana nullified their state's bans against marriage equality. Florida and Alabama legalized same-sex marriage in January of 2015...
I thought about all of those facts during my two and half hour flight to Washington D.C. Upon exiting the baggage claim at DCA, my friend Amanda picked me up and I said, "Did you see that article on NPR this morning? The one claiming that marriage equality is legal in all 50 States?" Her reply, "Yes! The Supreme Court passed it today! Everyone is downtown celebrating!" There ya have it: Marriage Equality passed on June 26th, 2015. I'm still in a bit of shock that this dream has finally come true. Perhaps fate intervened a bit so I could also celebrate the news in my hometown just hours after the Supreme Court ruling had passed on Marriage Equality.
After being a member of Straight For Equality for 5 years, an ALLY for 15 years, and a supporter of LGBT rights for as long as I can remember, it seems like a fog has finally been lifted... As we commemorate Independence Day, I'm proud to celebrate one more freedom that has been given to our LGBT community: the right to marry whom you love, regardless of their gender - as now granted by the Constitution. A special "shout out" to Uncle Bruce and Uncle Don, who are currently traveling through Iceland at the moment; happily retired and still happily married...
Engagement: Jennifer and Jonathon
This past March I participated as a photo vendor at the Orchid Spa Wedding Expo, which was held in Southampton, Bermuda. This was the first wedding expo I had ever partaken in and without a doubt, found it to be a very positive experience! After laying out all of my "Fiander Foto" package information, promotional items, slideshows of my portfolio, and decorating the table with branded nick-knacks at my station... all of the brides and grooms-to-be started to waltz through the doors.
Jennifer and Jonathon were one of the first couples to approach my booth. The three of us quickly connected over our family ties to the Maritime Provinces of Canada. (A wee "shout out" to my family in Bocabec, New Brunswick!) I gave away a couple of free Engagement Photo Shoots that day and Jennifer was one of the lucky winners! She and I scheduled their shoot to take place early May.
Jennifer and Jonathon picked a few prime locations; the Unfinished Church being the first spot! When they arrived and stepped out of their car, I was immediately excited about what they were wearing; very stylish! I'm often asked "What should we wear" from my clients and I typically suggest solid colors and/or very simple patterns, depending on the location for the shoot. A general rule of thumb: ensure that your outfits match... because it simply looks nicer in the photos!
Continuing with the "theme" of St. George's Parish, our next stop on this Engagement Photo Shoot tour was Alexandra Battery. Thankfully, the weather was gorgeous on this shooting day - with just enough wind for a cool breeze. The last few locations we went to were Tobacco Bay - and an old rusty dock near Fort St. Catherine's. Jennifer and Jonathon were up for anything that afternoon and welcomed the different locations. Laughing and joking most of the day, I think it was fair to say that they enjoyed the experience and had a great time. I wish both of them many years of happiness!
Maternity: Olga & Stuart
Waiting for a new baby to arrive can seem like an eternity... or so I'm told. In the final hours of carrying their soon-to-be baby girl, I had the pleasure of photographing Olga and her husband, Stuart. A truly loving and inspiring couple, it was difficult to take a bad photograph of these two! Beaming with light, Olga and Stuart made this Maternity Photo Shoot a lot of fun!
Sprecial Spring Sale: 10% OFF Weddings & Engagement Photos
Offer Ends May 10th!
Interested in booking a Wedding or Engagement Shoot for 2015? Be sure to get in on the goods with "Fiander Foto's: Spring Special Sale"! For a limited time only, book a Wedding or Engagement Photo Package with Melanie Fiander of Fiander Foto for 10% off! Limited offers available! Book now to save! Pick from the following choices of photo shoots:
Wedding · Engagement · Bridal Portraits · Trash the Dress
E-mail Melanie at Fiander Foto for bookings: info@fianderfoto.com