I’ve seen three interesting movies lately, thanks to Blockbuster mailings and paying attention to the previews on indie films. We’ll go in reverse chronological order.

Tonight we watched Across the Universe. It’s a musical, set in the 60s (1963-1969 compressed into two years according to director Julie Taymor). Although the trailer made it look a little too trippy for my taste, that first scene where he’s singing moodily on the beach (a la Moulin Rouge) sold me instantly. The detail work in Across the Universe is really what made it work, right down to the fact that most of the songs were filmed live on-location. There are seven main characters, and a whole load of peripheral hilarious moments with passerby. Two things I found the most amusing: the guy in crazy outfit twirling by for no reason when they first arrive in NYC, and in one of the final scenes, Jude’s mom singing a few lines. The most moving scenes were the brilliant parallels between England and the US; the couples dancing in the beginning, the pub scene toward the end, and also the funeral in Detroit of a black boy after the race riots next to the one in Brookline MA for white soldier who died in the fray. The music was done well, if self-proclaimedly cheesy. The lighting and film processing superb. The choreography of the crowds and leads went from erratic and eccentric to natural and beautiful. The device with a main character walking through lines of choreographed activity worked really well.

On Thursday, Ali and I saw Persepolis. It is brilliant. It’s funny, deep-thinking, and really human. Watching Irani girl Marji grow up in the revolution and then grow up away from her family, finally to  go back home and then leave again…  it wrenches your heart. The animation is gorgeous, and my jaw pretty much dropped when we saw in the commentary that all of the cells were traced by hand to give it a real, handcrafted feel. It’s an autobiographical animated film that took 2 years to complete.

Before I left for England, I watched Saawariya and laughed a lot. Many scenes blindsided me - much like Across the Universe, the lighting and framing; colors and angles were so, so good. Everything was beautiful and intentional. Of course the entire movie was ridiculous, as the first Bollywood-Hollywood production is wont to be. We watch innocent, earnest Raj try his best to woo mysterious Sakina who basically toys with him the entire time. (Saawariya is Hindi for beloved /overpowering consumption by love.)
I absolutely love well-designed magazines and well-produced films. I delight to experience the storylines and drama; colors and imagination of all of the artists who work hard to bring the masses entertainment and inspiration.

Posted in inspiration, personal 1 Comment »

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

Posted in fearless bridals 3 Comments »

Since Allissa and Seth are getting married this next Sunday (!) (another Rhode Island wedding), and they’re as busy as I am lately, we ended up having a super quick session… 10 minutes! Seth seemed a little bit shy from the camera at first, but he’s an awfully handsome man. They’re really in love.

[ more photos from the quick session here ]

Posted in clients, destination, engagements 4 Comments »

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

Posted in fearless bridals 8 Comments »

I am ridiculously excited for Erin and Jared’s wedding on a campground in Maine in a couple of weeks, and just about did a little happy dance when I received an email from her with the best PS ever.

P.S. We’ve got 100 fake mustaches on the way for the reception. Prepare yourself for some silliness.

Posted in clients, destination, wedding 1 Comment »

I’m excited to see what’s going to happen at the International Wedding Festival on March 1, 2009 from 11:00am - 4:00pm. It’s at the Modesto Centre Plaza (1000 L Street - Modesto, CA). It looks like it’s going to be a really interesting day, and in particular I think the fashion shows will be beautiful!

If you’re out in California, you should check this event out!

Posted in ethnic wedding, event No Comments »

I finally had a chance to go through the images from my session at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford CT with sweet Natalie - and please note that it is an incredible park [reference]. I’ve said it before but I need to say it again: I love that Marilee and Nathaniel combined their names to come up with their daughter’s name.

I photographed their Newport RI wedding two years ago. I was delighted when M&N contacted me when they had Natalie. They wanted to take me up on the complimentary newborn session I offer to all of my wedding clients… except, due to scheduling issues on both sides, Natalie was practically walking by the time we got together in early August!

[ my favorites here and the rest here ]

Posted in clients, portraits No Comments »

I’ve had a fantastic time traveling for the past couple of weeks, and wanted to celebrate my homecoming to Boston with a little sale!

So… if you have done a portrait session with me in the past few months, or your wedding gallery is still live, you and everyone you know can save $25 on a print order of $50 or more. [ link to mergeweddings client area ]

I’ve created a coupon code that you use upon checkout: rachellovesyou. It should be the final screen as you pay for the order.

Terms and conditions:

• minimum order is $50
• coupon code may not be used for canvas prints or albums
• coupon code is good for purchases completed on two days only: August 27 and August 28, 2008 before midnight on Saturday, August 30
• may not be used for purchases from a boudoir gallery
• if your gallery is new and still has an “early order discount” this will override the coupon code

Posted in clients 5 Comments »

Niloufar and Amir’s Sofreh Aghd
(Iranian wedding celebration)
[ more photos here ]

Posted in destination, ethnic wedding, wedding 1 Comment »

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.

Posted in clients, fearless bridals No Comments »