... but what is a ceremony artist??
It is my opinion that weddings can be works of art rather than subjects of tradition. It has been an honor to have photographed over 1,500 weddings but after all those weddings the flaws of tradition had become painfully obvious.
Weddings can be stressful, cheesy, poorly designed, expensive, etc... but there's a better way.
I help couples conceptualize ceremonies that are simple, peaceful, photogenic and then capture them in a way that allows them to be intimate and authentic. By keeping things simple I am able to be planner, photographer and officiant.
But how can I be a photographer and officiant at the same time??
It's actually really easy! I got ordained and licensed to perform weddings which is something anyone can do. Then, for the ceremony, I work with the couple to choreograph the steps for them to say their vows, exchange their rings and kiss to seal their promise. Most keep it simple but, as I mentioned, ceremonies can be works of art and we have full creative control over the process.
A couple doesn't even really need someone to tell them that they are married. The only people who can truly declare a marriage are the people who are marrying each other!
Not to mention officiants are often strangers the couple hires and frankly aren't the most photogenic thing to be in the middle of an image that should be one of the most beautiful pictures a couple takes in their life.
Besides, a lot of people these days don't adhere to a formal religion or are in a mixed spirituality relationship. Which, is why it makes sense for them to have a ceremony on their own terms.
Tradition can be reassessed. It's not obligatory.
One of my inspirations for this movement is my love of spiritualities.
Yes I said spiritualities... as in all the ways people transcend the physical world and connect to something deeper and higher. I believe that that is the most important thing, that we look beyond what we can see, hear and feel and what society imposes on us so that we can experience something greater. I love all the ways the people do that (as long as it's not hurtful or exclusive).
When I was in my early twenties I went through a major depression where I almost lost my life. I realized that if I was going to get better that I needed to seek happiness in its greatest form which for me is enlightenment. Even if I never get there it's the journey toward that goal that makes my life greater everyday. It's my goal to bring that light to people in anyway I can, especially on one of the biggest moments of their lives.
Another one of the things I do is help create ceremony spaces that are photogenic and work well with the direction of light. Often times this task is done by people who are not photographers (Like the bride, a family member or a wedding planner) which can be problematic because they don't know what the camera needs in order for the image to be just right.
I love this aspect of my work because it allows me to connect my love for art and symbolism with my experience in photography.
In the future I want to work with other artists to create sites that challenge conventional wedding design. I hope to create more immersive environments that incorporate the temporal aspects of the ceremony.
Eventually I hope to create sites that are shared by more than one couple so that more effort and resources can go into the design. I'll be looking for venues, lighting technicians, installation artists and florists to collaborate with.
Well enough about work, let me tell you a bit about myself!
Hawaii is where I was born and raised. One of my favorite aspects of growing up there is the education I've received in the Hawaiian Culture. Hawaii is a very fragile place that needs to be protected and I believe in their right to sovereignty.
My son Zen was born on 8/8/08 and he is the light of my life! :) I also have two kitties named Inyo and Zero who are adopted sisters.
Hardcore and underground music is my favorite. Both of my parents are musicians and it has been a very important part of my life.
Contemporary art like performance, minimalist and conceptual works are a huge inspiration for me.
I currently have home bases in Hawaii, Texas and NYC and am available worldwide.
Please feel free to ask me any questions you have about weddings, photography or anything!
It is a pleasure to introduce myself via Steemit. By blogging here I'm hoping to utilize this blockchain technology to reach not only those interested in my work but a larger community as well.
Aloha!
I remember my own wedding which happened not long ago. It was the most awful day in my life if i only was not so careless.
Welcome! I think you will enjoy here.
My youngest daughter, Rachel just got married in North Carolina with a wedding planner that had an aproach quite similar to yours.
And of course we had the proud parents.
Woops, we are Texans after all.
She kept the costs down and gave us a fabulous ceremony. We were supposed to be on a mountain (plan A) but a snowstorm closed the road. Then we had an alternative mountaintop (plan B) that we could drive to but it rained hard on the wedding day. Then we tried for a bed and breakfast in the historic district of Ashville (plan C) but it could not be booked on such short notice. We finally got lucky (plan D) and our daughter still had her outdoor wedding and was married outside under a porte-cochere of a historic building surrounded by trees and her friends and family. She is so resilient she never complained once as we scrambled in the face of adversity. The wedding planner was an absolute gem. You have a very important job @erinparis and your photos show you do it well. Welcome to Steem!
Thanks so much for the warm welcome Clay! It's funny because a lot of people ask me if I get a lot of bridezillas and the truth is I don't! Most of the brides that hire me are a lot like your daughter in the sense that they go with the flow. The most important thing is that the two people who are promising themselves to one another get to do so in a way where they can do so with all their heart and it sounds like your daughter got that. :) You have a beautiful family and I love that story! Lol such a cute picture with the boots. I'll be a Texan soon too! Not sure if I'll adopt the boots but I admire people who look as good in them as your daughter does. :) So much love and Aloha! Erin
I almost forgot, I do not know if you noticed but my wife is half native Hawaiin. Also, welcome to Texas. Rural Texas can be difficult if you are a free spirit. Full disclosure, I am. Austin, Houston, and San Antonio are an Oasis, if you will, from the limitations imposed by Redneck ideology. Good luck!
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Hey Erin
Welcome to steemit this is one of the most epic intro posts ever! I’m sure you will get along just fine on the platform! Wishing you all the best and good luck with your blog! Looking forward to seeing you around the blockchain
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Thank you so much! Lol I definitely love epic things so this is quite the compliment. :) I'm super excited to learn more about blogging via blockchain. Thank you so much for the warm welcome!
Interesting job and awesome intro! This is how intro should be :) Welcome to Steem!
Welcome to the Steem blockchain. I hope you manage to find your place here.
I personally think traditional weddings are quite crazy. You shouldn't spend money that can be better used elsewhere on what's essentially just a big party with a really bad dress code. For the price many spend on weddings, you could have a lot better party than they do. :P It's not like most weddings are even enjoyable.
I don't know if your way is "the" way, but it sounds a lot better than a traditional wedding and it gives people the ceremony and photos that many people want. Many people need that for whatever reason. Maybe as a sign of your devotion...or just because your in-laws are really annoying. :P
Welcome erinparis!
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Welcome to Steem erinparis! Partiko is officially the fastest and most popular mobile app for Steem. Unlike other Steem apps, we take 0% cut of your earnings! You can also be rewarded with Partiko Points while using Partiko and exchange Partiko Points for upvotes!
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Thank you so much for your interest!
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First Happy New year and Thanks for joining Our steemisfere !
Welcome Erin the wedding specialist who lives in different parts of the world and now also the steemisfere! Welcome to the great community of Steemit, YESS You are a new Steemian now! I saw your #introduceyourself and its nice to meet you.
Blogging, building and uplifting eachother is what steemit needs and what its all about on this blockchain. The best part is that you could earn money too.💴💸💰
I never blogged before I started but I just do. But always be carefull with all your passwords, Never give those up !!
For safety tips visit https://steemit.com/steem/@verhp11/safety-first-first-aid-kit-for-steemians-who-are-just-beginning-this-great-journey from Our fellow steemy @verhp11. The Steemify App I use is great, it is available in the Appstore and free, go cheque it out. Or read this blog
https://steemit.com/busy/@exyle/using-steemify-to-stay-up-to-date-about-the-blockchain-like-project-destiny-please-consider-blockbrothers-for-your-witness-vote
I wish you good luck with steeming and I Will See you around🍀
Your value and input is appreciated!
Good luck with your journey and may you find what you are looking for.
Just remember that all good things come in good time and never giving up is they key to big succes on Steemit.
Please vote for a witness to. Also you could join the SteemTerminal Discord.
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Greetings from Brittandjosie from the Netherlands
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STOPGreetings, and Welcome to the Steem Community @erinparis!
I would love to feature your new introduction post in my weekly curation blog if you don't mind! You can find it on my profile, @Ma1neEvent.
You can also check out the @MinnowSupport Project, a community of Steemians on Discord Chat where you can interact, chat, network, and learn with other members of the Community! There is even a Steem based radio station there with shows hosted by Steemians, @MSP-Waves! Hop in the @MinnowSupport Pond and say hello sometime if you'd like!
Hi there! Thank you so much, you can definitely feature this post if you like. :)
Erin, love your glasses, I'm Oatmeal, and love art as well and the whole world is art and can be art like you said, especially weddings which are to beautiful, the most beautiful, and traditions are good when they are good but the rest can be George Lucas Star Wars digitally reimagined and everything. Here is an upvote.
Thumbs up for this amazing #introduceyourself post..May the rest of your life be filled with happiness and joy..With lots of love💗 and support from
~A fellow Steemian
love the idea of a ceremony artist ! 👏🏻 This is how it should be done