When people see a couple in wedding attire with their wedding party walking down the street on a Saturday afternoon, of course the instinct is to “ooh” and “aww” and congratulate! But when strangers saw April and Courtney and myself exploring the Short North and the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus on a brisk Sunday morning in October, the reaction was beyond anything I had experienced before. For April and Courtney, who were married in Washington, DC on the steps of the US Supreme Court this past summer on the C-bus of Love (which I photographed!), it was the vision of two beautiful ladies, one dressed in uniform, with no wedding party, no hoopla; just the two of them, their love, and their photographer capturing it.
With Ohio not recognizing their marriage, they sacrificed a traditional wedding at home, with all the hoopla you’d expect, for a shared wedding with 24 other couples to make a statement about marriage equality. Part of the trip entailed raising money, and as the couple who raised the most money, they won this portrait session here in Columbus, complete with hair, makeup and flowers! In fact, they got something most couples don’t get the opportunity to enjoy on their wedding day – time with eachother, no pressure, almost 2 hours of it!
The only interruptions they had were from strangers beside themselves with joy for them. They were greeted by hugs and well-wishes from strangers at every turn – even one man left his brunch at Level Dining Lounge to give them hugs! While I know April and Courtney will cherish these pictures for years to come, this session was a personal reminder to me why I love Columbus so effin’ much.
Special thanks to EcoFlora Organic Flowers for the bouquet, Jennifer King for hair, and You Are Beautiful Artistry for makeup!
