Gay Weddings in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is for everyone, and we love lovers of every imaginable variety. Our LGBT ski week is huge in winter; it’s festive, and rainbows fill the sky. I want everyone to have exactly the wedding they desire. I am licensed in both California and Nevada; both states currently do not legally recognize gay marriages, but legality is only a heartbeat away, so get ready and book your flights. I have married couples from countries I never heard of, and I have married people of every beautiful color. I have performed civil unions for gay couples, because that is all that’s available here. They are beautiful, loving, and heartfelt ceremonies.

Make it a great celebration, and then pound on the doors of the courts to make it legal. I’ve been a wedding minister for nine years, and I believe in the beauty of celebrating the connections and commitment between hearts and souls. I know many secret places that make amazing natural venues: Waterfalls, meadows, and a great rocky mountain top I call “Wedding Rock” because I’ve married so many couples there. If you’re a more urbane couple, I know all the venues, all over the lake. Be joyful, and bring your love.

Spring hath sprung; green shoots of grass are rising in the high meadows. Deer have climbed impossible peaks for the promise of these tasty green shoots of high meadow Spring grasses. Babies abound: ducklings, goslings, darling coyote pups, fox kits, bunnies, and fawns. Soon baby bear cubs will arrive, and my dog will be urged to leave these cute babies alone. Spring means couples of every variety will get goofy and feel hearts full of woozy love. My calendar fills up in Spring, as brides plan their summer weddings.

Blessings on all who love, for you are the luckiest people in the world. Call me, and we’ll plan a great celebration.

Happiness to all!

Pamela Camille, Reverend

http://www.laketahoeminister.com

 

The Wedding Photographer’s Challenge

I am blessed to work with my son, who photographs my wedding couples. I chose to write about the photography because photographing weddings at the lake presents its own challenges. This photograph was taken at Cave Rock Beach on a day when smoke from wildfires filled the Tahoe basin. I wasn’t sure he would get any good photographs at all in the thick, smoky haze. Taking photographs against the shining water is always tricky; my son uses a polarizer on his lens, but the water’s glare can still blur objects and people in the foreground. My gorgeous bride was not keen on staring into the smoky sun, and was constantly ducking her face into the shade. Shade makes shadows that lengthen our noses and make us look strange, so the gifted photographer must coax couples to plant their burning, tearing eyes straight into the sunlight’s path. This takes Olympian-level tact and skill!

This bride was also gentle, timid, and reserved; she was not the splashy grinning poser that gives a photographer a lot to work with. Most people are not practiced in the art of modeling; photo shoots are not a part of their daily lives. When you are taking more than a hundred shots of a couple, it truly is a “photo shoot.” Without making them cranky on the happiest day of their lives, the photographer must allow the couple to get comfortable with shifting their bodies and their faces so most of the shots show their glowing joy and love for each other. It has to be fun! I love this shot, because the couple was joyful and relaxed. The peach-colored light shows the glow in their happy faces. Reed also captured the light on the water perfectly; it is a deep blue background without any glare. The focus is sharp on the beautiful lovers.

Happiness to all!

Pamela Camille, Rev.

http://www.laketahoeminister.com