Marilyn had the idea to take us on an adventure out to one of Boston’s Harbor Islands. I had been to George’s Island before, so I knew there was a neat area of crumbling rooms and tunnels that would be perfect for the photos (and great to get out of the hot sun!) and did indeed provide some interesting light and darkness to play around with.

It was a bit of drama to actually get out to the Harbor Island since the ferry ended up being booked full with middle schoolers on field trip that morning, so we ended up spending a couple of hours wandering around the Boston Aquarium area and even Fanueil (sp?) Hall – much to the concern of the tourists wanting to make sure Marilyn kept her dress off the ground.

It’s difficult to know how much to explain to the randomly curious passerby. Most are confused about why someone would be getting married on a weekday and then walking around somewhere random, and the others are skeptical and say things like “are you really getting married? are you with a magazine?” And of course there are always the guys who think they’re funny and scream things like “DON’T DO IT!” (meaning – marriage). They obviously do NOT get it.

Location: Fanueil Hall, Aquarium, George’s Island (Boston)
Recent bride: Marilyn
Assisted by: Jimmy Song (and Marilyn’s parents)
More photos: here

I need help!

So, there are a few upcoming projects I need help with. I know there is a huge pool of talent from people who read this blog, especially those of you who lurk but don’t comment! Right now I am thinking of three things:

1. STAGING. I have a table at a bridal expo in a couple of weeks and I want to have some sort of hip, ethnic-looking draping to hang behind the table (8′ x 8′) as well as a complementary but still funky table covering. Ideally, I’m thinking rich, vibrant, but still somewhat earth-toned/muted colors (can something be vibrant but muted at the same time?). What I mean is that it shouldn’t clash with the look of this website, but I don’t want the colors on this site to be the colors that represent me at the show. I am anti-beige but pro-brown. Does that make sense? Anyway, ideas as to where can I find curtains or other linens to purchase or borrow? Does anyone have access to a prop room, or just really great taste in home decor? I just don’t have very much time between now and then to search out something appropriate.

I would also love to borrow some wooden tabletop or free-standing easels to help display some canvases.

2. GALLERY connections. I have extraordinary images of some fierce and fearless women from the bridal shoots I’ve been doing this summer. I’m looking for Boston-area venues (galleries, cafés, bridal shops, salons, etc.) who would be willing to either host a show or provide wall space for a display.

3. ASSIST at a shoot. These juxtaposition shoots will be featured at the end of the year show and book project – these funky fashion bridal sessions are extremely entertaining and interesting. I always need a pair of extra hands to help with equipment, styling, and logistics. You don’t have to be a photographer to be an assistant, and I guarantee most of you reading this would consider it a fascinating experience to be the official shoot assistant. The thing is, the sessions are always on weekdays (although I do have a shoot next Saturday in Brooklyn if anyone’s around). Sessions are usually in the greater Boston area.

If you can help, send me an email! rachel@mergeweddings.com

Tiffany posted some of her favorites from our bridal session at Boston Sand and Gravel over at weddingbee last night. (hi bees!)

She had previously posted a few from the Chinatown part of our shoot as well.

I already mentioned Carol’s fabulous session in Winchester when I posted the teasers. Our locations ranged from the Fells, which are basically beautiful hiking trails and thick forests… to the commuter rail station in Winchester (pictured below) to the middle of the big rotary that sits in the middle of downtown Winchester. It was fabulously fun, and Carol’s mom brought snacks and helped us carry stuff, while Carol paid a bit extra to have Tricia come along and style on the shoot – which was fantastically helpful as we were able to do a ton of different looks including the crazy ones in the forest with the leaves pinned in Carol’s hair.

I LOVE these three images. Some mellow post-processing and a whole lotta bridal attitude!

[ director's cut here + more images here ]

I made it to the UK and have had two cups of proper tea today in order to adjust to the time difference. There are lots of things about this place that I love already!

But for now I wanted to leave you with two links.

1. Awhile back, Tiffany gave the juxtaposition sessions some great press by blogging about her session over at weddingbee. More to come soon. [link] I love press on this project! I really want a gallery show in November or January.

2. Last week I did a workshop with groundbreaking Las Vegas based photographer John Michael Cooper of Alt-F. Let’s just say he’s the guy who invented the idea of ‘trash the dress’ or what has morphed into my fearless bridals — as in, not limiting the dress to sit in a box forever without being properly commemorated. At the end of the workshop, we watched him do an art bridal shoot…. recreating [in the rain] the image of little red riding hood (look carefully in the right side foreground for the wolf, which was actually his dog). We then watched as he made a composite of about 10 images to bring his final product to life. Intense and stunning. And too much work for me! Also of great note is my backside prominently featured as I was photographing jmc doing the zipline swing halfway through the video at the bottom. [ link to blog post ]

I did this trade with Bella when I was looking for someone to do bridals in New York City with me during a trip to the city (for a seminar with Yervant and Joe Buissink). We had a lot of fun with the session, and really punked it up at the end. A lot of time has passed since I took these photos in May! Sorry it took so long Bella.

location: Chinatown NYC
model: Bella
makeup: Erin Green
more photos: here

Melissa was my fifth JUXTAPOSITION session. Last week, she took us out to Old Stone Church in West Boylston MA and we also explored a few other places… Jungle Jim’s Garden Center, Vivian’s Café, and this little Best Western that looked like it was stuck wayyyy back in the 40s (in a bad way). Of course we stopped to get ice cream at the end.

Here are a few of my session favorites.

This morning I met up with Brittany at the Franklin Park zoo and did the sixth JUXTAPOSITION session in the butterfly house and on the carousel!! Thanks to Brian the awesome carousel operator for rocking our world!

recent bride: Melissa
photographer: Rachel Hadiashar
assisted by: Meg Belanger, Joyelle Davis
location: Old Stone Church, Jungle Jim’s Garden Center, Vivian’s Café, Best Western (West Boylston, MA)

[ more photos here and here ]