Lauren + Tadeu's New Year's Eve Wedding in Seattle
Once long ago (pre-COVID!) I was visiting Seattle and had a spare afternoon so I put out feelers to see if anyone who followed me on instagram would be interested in a free couple's session. Almost immediately I received an email from Tadeu that said he was about to propose to his partner, and he thought it would be fun to surprise her with a photo shoot as well. I was super stoked on the idea of the shoot being a surprise treat, and I asked him to share more about them. He replied: "I'm a second year law student. I'm active in racial justice and prison abolition work. I am Latino (Brazilian) and that is really important to me. Lauren is a fourth grade teacher. We actually met the first day of college because we were both in the same orientation group (I was originally going to be a teacher too, but found that I'm not nearly as patient as I need to be)."
The entire email was a huge green flag. Prison abolitionist lawyer and rad molder of young minds? YES PLEASE. When I met them in person, their energy was extremely warm and loving, and the way they interacted just perfectly embodied support and mutual respect. We had a lot of fun tromping through the rose gardens, fountains, and beautiful plazas of UW, and overall it was a beautifully low-key afternoon. I sent them their photos a few weeks later and crossed my fingers that they would hire me for their wedding.
I was absolutely thrilled when they asked me to document their New Year's Eve bash. Their planner, Kaleb, is a big fucking deal (and super nice too); the venue, Sodo Park, was a perfect blend of rustic and sophisticated. I knew it would be impeccable but the design was absolutely beyond. Glamorous without being stuffy, and just electric with emotion. Thank you, Lauren and Tadeu, for being our kind of people and for choosing us to document your celebration.
FAVE DETAILS
Lauren's hair accessories
The NYE Party Props Table they set up which included noisemakers, hats, and confetti
The photos they set up in the front row of the ceremony of family members who had passed away
The family bolo ties worn by Lauren's brothers and Tadeu
FAVE MOMENTS
Tadeu's mom giving a toast in Portuguese (with the help of a friend who translated), expressing so much pride in her son and reflecting on the journey she has taken as an immigrant and in raising him solo.
The first look we did just outside the Seattle Public Library - the architecture there is so fabulously geometric.
Stroke of midnight confetti explosion - made for excellent photos as well as lots of fun re-dos as people were goofily picking it back up off the floor and tossing it around.
