This Philly Photographer Is Offering Free Photography for LGBTQ City Hall Weddings Before Trump Takes Office


Photo by Viva Love

Photo by Viva Love

Philly- and NYC-based photographer Ian Shiver of Viva Love Photo has an announcement that he’d like to make to the LGBTQ couples of Philadelphia: If you’d like to tie the knot at City Hall—either ours or one further away—before January 20th, 2017, he will photograph it for free.

He got the idea after a same-sex couple whose wedding he is photographing next year decided to make it official before President-elect-Trump takes office, and asked him to document their early City Hall marriage ceremony. “It has come to my attention that after January 20th (and even now), the US could become much less of a safe space for the LGBTQ community, among many others,” he says in his announcement. “In support, I am offering free photography of city hall marriages of any LGBTQ couples who feel the need to get legally married before January 20th. I am willing to do this anywhere for travel/lodging. No one should have to make any decision out of fear.” 

As he mentioned, Ian is happy to do this for any city hall wedding—not just here in Philly—for coverage of his travel and lodging, and his services that day will include photography of the marriage ceremony and a portrait session.

And if you’d like to get a feel for Ian’s photography style, take a look at Shannon & Ruth’s wedding (that’s them above in Midtown Village last month!).

Get in touch with him through Viva Love’s website, or shoot him a note at info@vivalovephoto.com.

RELATED: Ask the Expert: How Many Guests Can I Bring to My City Hall Wedding? 

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