Wedding Photographer fined $6k for refusing gay couple

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=75547

A Christian law firm will appeal a ruling by the New Mexico Human Rights Commission fining a photographer who refused to take photos of a homosexual commitment ceremony.

Elaine Huguenin and her husband Jon, who co-own Elane Photography in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are both Christians. So when a lesbian couple asked them to photograph their “commitment ceremony” in Taos, the Huguenins politely refused. In response, Vanessa Willock filed a complaint with the New Mexico Human Rights Commission claiming the Huguenins discriminated against her because of her “sexual orientation.” On Wednesday, the Commission found the Christian couple guilty of discrimination under state anti-discrimination laws and ordered them to pay more than $6,000 in costs.

Jordan Lorence with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) represented the Huguenins. He contends the lawsuit reflects an attitude among homosexual activists.

“This decision is a stunning disregard for religious liberty and First Amendment freedoms of people of faith, of Christians, and those who believe in traditional marriage defined as one man and one woman,” says the attorney. “This shows the very disconcerting, authoritarian face of the homosexual activists, who are using these non-discrimination laws as weapons against Christians in the business world and Christians in their churches.”

Lorence believes the Huguenins will win an appeal of the decision. But he warns this is how similar laws in 19 other states, and the proposed federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act, can be misused to silence biblical beliefs.

“There is a great threat to our religious liberties and our ability to speak out in favor of traditional marriage when these non-discrimination laws are interpreted in such a harsh way to censor Christians and others,” he asserts.

Lorence said Americans do not surrender their freedoms of speech or religion just because they choose to open a business. He added that the Commission’s decision is tantamount to the State of New Mexico forcing a vegetarian videographer to create a commercial for a butcher shop.

Michelle – Suzuki Hayabusa 1300R

I was contacted by Michelle a few months back to do a shoot with her and her bike. Immediately I was excited and wanted to shoot asap but at that time I was buying/selling cameras to upgrade my equipment. Anyways we decided a few weeks ago to shoot today, the plan was to shoot in the garage at my work since the freight elevator at the studio is not working. It would have been nice to be in the studio but we still had a VERY successful shoot, I brought backdrop, lights, and diffusers to the garage and had most of it setup before client arrived. Took a little while to test things but I rather spend a little while getting it right than spend A LOT of time at home editing photos! That’s not too cool. Well anyways, basically every shot is a keeper but I have to cut out a few duplicates and test shots. I still have a lot of work to do and other shoots to edit before I can put full attention to these photos but I had a couple hours of free time tonight and I picked a semi-random photo out of the bunch and started editing. Here is the end result.

Click to see larger image with more detail.

 

 

 

Lots more from this shoot soon to come!!!

Tammy Reynalds – Local Superstar!

Tammy contacted me a few months ago about a shoot. I was excited to have the opportunity to work with her. She has worked with many great photographers in the past and I was excited to have her contact me for a shoot. We had a fun shoot that lasted a good few hours, unfortunately we didn’t get to do too many different looks because hair and makeup takes time. Beauty can’t be rushed! So there are 3 sets. I did this one first because it’s the smallest and quickest to get out of the way!

We are doing a paparazzi look where she’s pushing the camera out of her face!
Her emotion was very real and she actually frightened me & gave me a feeling like she really wanted me back off!

The better sets from this shoot are coming up soon!!! 

Karelis – She has the look!

Alanna’s half sister, didn’t get to hear the scoop on her and I’m not sure if she has ever modeled before but she really should be modeling for more photographers because she has a great look!

Going to start this party off with some fun goofy shots.

With these we were showcasing her beauty and makeup provided by Alanna.

With these images Alanna was trying some more wild and extreme hair and makeup.
Also we were showcasing the jewelry and styling which was also provided by Alanna.

Jennifer Maria – Natural Beauty

When I first met Jennifer Maria my immediate impression was Wow she’s soo quiet and shy!! I’m the exact same way so I had a feeling the shoot was going to be a challenge. To add to the challenge, this was her first real photo shoot in a studio in front of lights and big camera. No matter though, she was great and her beauty made for some great images! Believe it or not the images you are going to see from her are mostly 100% not edited!!!! Also to add to the amazment we had no makeup artist for the shoot.. She has flawless skin and just… wow… Enjoy!

More from this shoot coming soon, have many other photo shoots to work on.
Keep checking back!

Iona Practice Shoot

Another shoot to showcase Alanna’s Hair and Makeup talent with little miss Iona as the model.
There are soo many shots that I liked, It was very difficult to find a couple that I really liked.
So instead of just burying them with the rest of the photos I decided to just post them up here.
I don’t think they look all that great when they are here all thrown together. But if you click on one it will bring you to a larger view where you can see the image isolated.
I think I like it better that way. Maybe one day I will have better luck deleting more photos that are not as great as others.

These first two are just to showcase the hair and makeup.

ON TO THE FUN STUFF!!!

Fun Practice Shoot

Well we had a scheduling mix up and a model no-show all at once on the same day!! What a disaster. So since we were already at the studio and had all the lights setup and Alanna was ready to go with her hair and makeup magic we decided to make the best out of the situation and practice our craft and have fun. We did some semi-serious photos (I will post these later) but mostly we just joked around and had a good time. We had Chinese food from good ol Ming Moon across the street, and Pizza from some where down the street. I didn’t have the chance to get involved in all the fun since I was occupied with the camera but I could hear all the conversations going on in the background. As usual Ralph had everyone laughing and Jenna was being her cute self. Well here are some outtakes and bloopers!

Setting up the lights with “Krelis” I feel bad I don’t know how to spell her name.

EDIT:  Thanks for commenting.  It’s Karelis!!  Spelled just how it sounds, I shoulda been a blonde!!

Lol I have no clue what’s happening in this one pic, and no clue who the mystery finger belongs to!! hahaha

Uh oh! Makeup time! I actually got pictures of the ever soo elusive Alanna!!
Had to take advantage of the opportunity to get Alanna in front of the camera so I switched to paparazzi mode!!

Who ever said models don’t eat?? Hahaha!!
We need to get a sign for the studio “DON’T FEED THE MODELS!”

Looks like she fell off the stool. hehe

So I fell too. Check out my feets!

Uh Oh! Bad things happen when models become makeup artists!!!!!

Iona and Ms Sosa

Tired of shooting on the seamless we decided to go to a corner and play with colors. I should have moved more lights over so we could have had more shooting possibilities. Oh well there is always next time!

Iona Hair & Makeup Shoot

Welcome Iona, this was her first shoot!! A little nervous but that is never a problem!! She came with the fabulous makeup and hair stylist Alanna. Believe it or not this is Alanna’s younger sister! Tons of fun being with these crazy kids! This cute and silly girl always has a very contagious smile! Hope to see her in the studio again sometime soon!

Ms Sosa Shoot

I met the stunning & beautiful Ms Sosa the other day and had the opportunity to photograph her. I bet you would never guess that she is 3 months pregnant!! Amazing right!!?! I can’t wait to get her back into the studio for some pregnancy portraits, this is going to be great!! Hopefully I helped a bit and her photos are more than expected!
Some Pics