For all years past – links here (2008-2017)

This year, the images…I shot from the Westlake bleachers, it was a little shady, light wise, but alas brought a glow as needed.

This years festivities began, not unlike the last few…with the holier than thou protest, met by Queens. This year, the perfect diffuse antidote was a furry stalking with an arrow “GAY AF” sign, #enoughsaid.

…And about an hour in, we had a “pause” due to a #BlackLivesMatter protest – for 30 minutes in reverence. I was out of image range, in opposing riser, about a half block away, where police were hesitantly looking on. The parade emcee Queens in charge were able to help diffuse, allow us all to listen and peaceably give address to the protest. Well done Seattle. Because Black Lives DO Matter. It’s real, and whether we pause for 30 minutes or kneel as we listen to bombs blasting in air, we endeavor to be and do better. To that, I pledge allegiance.

So, onto the Wonder. Love, delayed as it maybe (sorry!)…Be that as it may, I do dedicate the love here, and the wonder, to all of those that are still recovering from horrible forces of nature and unconscionable forces of man…I pray in love and peace for all to see the Wonder of many tomorrows.

Pride and Strength march on. The following is brought to you by the small but mighty (thanks to the rented 55-140 2.8) Fuji X-T20, and maybe a wee iPhone shot or two-ish…

~Slideshow(click for Full Screen)~

With all the events that have abounded in the world of late, it’s important to remember what will triumph, what must.

Seattle Pride – Love is always felt at this event, and all the similar pride parades and festivals that happen all over the world every June…The rainbows shine, and the sheer love bonds us all. Pride parade is demonstration of all that is good, open and free amongst us. It is my favorite demonstration. I feel like it is all about promoting positivity and love. I admit I prefer this approach that always feels inclusive, and fun. I love to capture the joy and love every year.

Reflections in rainbow of years past – 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015…

And 2016, reflections of the love we send out. With love, Seattle.

#LoveWins…this was the hashtag that I used, instictively, the morning of the SCOTUS ruling ensuring marriage equality from sea to shining sea in the United States. For those opposed, it was controversial and mystifying. For the rest of us, the masses, we can celebrate, because, as it should #LoveWins.

Just 2 days after this landmark decision that guarantees marriage rights for all, Seattle Pride took it’s turn in the sun, to celebrate, to love, to bask in the glory. Even if it actually was a little over cast, the sun shown through. In this most recent set I pushed the exposure just a little further than is technically appropriate – purposefully. Love it, hate it, it is my artistic commentary on how I saw this day. For years past – enjoy the Pride Archives.

For now, join me in the afterglow – #LoveWins.

Pride 2015 – Images by Elisa Sherman

But, let’s be honest, the theme to this years pride was brought to you by one wise man, waving the intergalatical vulcan salute: “live long and prosper”…yes, I’m talking about Mr. Takei:)

George drove up and down 4th Ave, pre parade, gleeful in his celebrity Grand Marshall status. For me it was a highlight to click. And honestly, he was not the lone notable out there…the younger crowd went crazy when Macklemore drove by, and then again, when he climbed out of his car…cue the squee-fest, and the rush to the car…

Not to be out done, the Mayor, was out glad handing, shaking everyones hand before the parade, and then again during the parade. Honestly, he seemed a little buttoned up – literally, but clearly he was enjoying the day – can’t really ask for more.

The parade, as it often does, featured lots of politicians, corporations, churches, community organizations, and let’s not forget, the fabulous.

I love shooting it, and this was the 7th consecutive year shooting Pride(full collection here) – it’s how I participate if that makes sense, recording it in my way for posterity. I fell in love with the love and life of it, back in 2008, and every subsequent year, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. I am planning on doing something when I hit the decade mark, still pondering that;)

Until then, I’ll just wallow in the love. So much so, I really don’t want to even barely acknowledge the ignorance that showed up before the festivities…I decided to shoot through it, or in between it, and captured the pure joy that countered it instead. If you were there, you understand what I mean, if not, better even;) I was pretty proud of Seattle triumphing over those that clearly didn’t understand the whole point… The energy of Pride, wins every time. Love.

Yes, much love, including Bert and Ernie, the Sisters, Nordstrom, Wonder Woman, a surprising Debra Messing doppelganger, and well, endless Glam. Yeah, I love it;)

~Full Archive of 98 images!!~
Seattle Pride Parade 2014 – Images by Elisa Sherman

Every year presents a bit of a different twist along with several familiar faces…See the last few years here – 2008 – Seattle comes out & 2009 – Seattle Says I Do!, parade blogs…

This year – along with nods to our Gay “Emerald City” we so fabulously are, we got loads of corporate and political promotion… Not the least to mention the obvious push for recognizing that Love is Love…gay marriage is a right, and some of the most gorgeous kids look really cool in rainbow boas… And well, of course, that a gay man clearly wins the make-up award – I mean seriously, why do they do it better?!!??! It’s all garish and gorgeous. I mean I put on something slightly more than neutral and I look like a whore, and they look like miss america – sigh…

So, with out further ado, here’s to glowing white skin(because we had no sun in June) and spray tans galore(because – well the same reasons!) – the gloriousness that was Seattle’s Pride Parade 2010…

Maybe I’ll hire an assistant next year, to hold my cameras so I don’t get so tired and can go take pix of the madness at the Seattle Center next year?!?!

The full set –
[flickr-gallery mode=”photoset” photoset=”72157624252634167″]

Slideshow – http://www.flickr.com/photos/emswazzu/sets/72157624252634167/show/

This year was the second year I photographed the parade (still haven’t made it to the party yet! Maybe next year!)…and it was another scorcher…

The story I think some of my favorite images tell, is one that while joyous, also has purpose…I think the biggest theme I saw was the issue of gay marriage…To me this issue is really at it’s boiling point, nationally…brought very much to the forefront thanks to the recent California passing of Prop 8…

Without getting too much into my own political beliefs(you can imagine given that I so enthusiastically support such an event via imagery)…I will let the beholders draw their own conclusions…

Love baby love. It’s written all over your face…*
*nods to the lyrics from my favorite band: INXS

The preceding are just a selection, full set of 128 on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emswazzu/sets/72157620723129852/detail/

Shoutout to the seattle blog that linked back to my preview blog/photos:
http://www.seattlegayscene.com/

Happy summer!

xoxo
~Elisa

I am not gay(not that there is anything wrong with it…tm J. Seinfeld, lol), and have never made any effort to check out the festivities…I mean I am totally ok with whatever folks do, have gay friends, etc etc…I have just never bothered to do more than notice that traffic is bad during these times!

Well, lately I have been a bit of an image whore, and any good opportunity to capture some colorful life out and about, and I am there! So…lol…needless to say, this event qualified! The previous weekend (see preceding blog) I had shot from within the Fremont Solstice parade…and this was a clear followup opportunity…I love shooting people…from an event/editorial viewpoint…capturing their passion and joy in life…

I have to say, this was very different, this Pride parade, than I expected, and from the preceding weekend…

First, one of the big call outs I would say is just how political it was…and I don’t mean, gay rights perspective, though there is that…

I mean, ALL the big local, I think mostly democrat, politicians were out, with their supporters…and legions of Obama supporters…

And kids…lots of kids…definitely a family feel to the thing…

Lot’s of official and varied church support…god is love was definitely a theme…

The obvious, drag queens, the Sisters, and super stereotypical gay imagery accompanied much of the displays…and was easiest to capture via photograph…the camera loves the flamboyant…and I have to admit, these folks are who I knew would get captured well in frame, and they did not disappoint…

But, the formality and grandiousness of size of the event also surprised me a bit…

I guess, it was so much in contrast to the free and arty Solstice bit, that the big floats and police escort kind of threw me…and of course, I was just a spectator here, so shot from the sidelines…

The other bit that pleasantly surprised me, were all the locals that came out to stand with me on the sidelines…many totally straight, and many families…just coming out to see a fun parade, and share in the love…

To me that was mostly what this thing was about…it really wasn’t all that showy to me…not excessively flamboyant, as compared to the exhibitionist displays from the preceding weekend(though I did recognize a handful of the same folks turn out in the parade:)…it really was about love, acceptance, diversity, and excitement—the political supporters were effusive, even…it was catchy….

So, without further adieu, I suppose, here are my favorite images from the 2 hours I spent in the scorching sun…

The preceding are a subselection(though majority) of the full set I have loaded here:
http://flickr.com/photos/emswazzu/sets/72157605917942489/

Peace & Love Seattle…

xoxo
~Elisa