I must admit that no other photography request knocked the breath of out me like this one. Never have had a need-to-breathe-out-of-a-paper bag moment until my friend and photography frère Ryan Lash asked me to shoot his wedding. Reoccurring nightmares of gear breaking minutes before the ceremony (at the hands of Ryan no less) ensued as I tried to figure out how I would capture this occasion in a way that would express my own story telling while being the eyes Ryan himself would employ were he able to frame his wedding through his own lens. I know, a ridiculously tall order — which, I learned, is precisely Ryan and Roxanne’s cup of tea.
In (I kid you not) eighteen days, Ryan and Roxanne planned the. most. hipster Brooklyn wedding, ever. Friends and family flocked in from across the US, Canada, Ecuador and Germany. Venues were booked, cancelled and booked. Flowers were ordered, banners were designed, books were printed and roommates were stressed. out. The seemingly impossible turned into an intimate, charming and sublime wedding complete with soul-filling music, a moving prayer for remembered family, a Livestream broadcast viewed by hundreds of friends around the world, activity books for the guests, a Rice Krispie treat wedding cake, and socks provided for the surprise activity: bowling. Afterwards, the newly wed couple accompanied by their friends walked to the subway station, danced to an underground saxophone and took a train to their ever after, all the while sweetly serenaded by their sister and her ukulele. A more perfect wedding it could not be … (except for the ceremony in direct sunlight at high noon – but we’ll eventually let that one go, Ryan Lash). Love you, Rox & Ry.
Our children (Leili, Milan & Zane) remember you guys very well, especially Sisay’s hugs and love, consistently no matter where they were. You always made them feel so special! Its a true gift! Everyone knew that you guys will make amazing parents and we are thrilled that you now get to daily shower that innate love for children at home. Your children indeed are very blessed to have the two of you as parents. You always have a home in China. Please come visit us!
by negeen
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