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)~

I did not photograph my own wedding – the fabulous Meredith McKee of Meredith McKee Photography did…see the day on her blog! Meredith captured all of our moments, almost rainy day and all. We cannot thank her enough.

However, I did snap lots of the details along the way leading up to the big event. We did so many fun DIY details ourselves that I dubbed #endlessweddingprepWE in the days and weeks leading up to the main event. I captured everything with my handy iphone and shared it via instagram. Our goal was to make everything very personal – from the airplane themes to the photo features.

As many DIY as there were, one of our favorite personal theme items was actually from our cake vendor Mike’s Amazing Cakes – who was able to perfectly create this super awesome cake and topper(which is a sculpture we get to keep!)…

Wade, my new Hubby, was the master folder of airplane styled programs(and 80+ favor boxes scroll down a few pix)…they were on point!

…believe it or not, I was head candy plane maker (these went inside our final favors)

Speaking of favors, a little making of shot. Note the sectional chart boxes that the hubs had folded – aka airplane maps

Our theme and decor included lots of aviation items, but also included lots of reference to our combined passion of photography, ranging from decopage letters of our personal and coupled evolution…

…Along with our travel photo as featured wall decor at our reception…

…and even our own DIY photobooth…the Hubs set up with my camera…He clicked the shutter on our shots – so photo credit again, Wade Hasbrouck

And of course the colors were red and TURQUOISE…I’ve been told that must be my favorite color – what?!? lol, yes.

To see anything we and a few other folks posted from the wedding, check #WadeAndElisa for instagrams, including the lovely sunsets and whatnot from our honeymoon:)

In closing special thanks to all of our vendors and honeymoon host for helping to make our wedding and honeymoon a great day, week and memory.
Cake: Mike’s Amazing Cakes
Flowers: Pike Place Flowers
Venue: Craven Farm
Photographer: Meredith McKee Photography
Day of Coordinator: Nancy Keith
Catering: Alexa’s Cafe
Honeymoon Resort: Occidental Grand Nuevo Vallarta

And additional details vendors –
Invitations, Programs & Thank You’s – Perfect Press & Merchants Design

Personalized water bottles & Turquoise burlap – Oriental Trading

Personalized favor tags: Roberto Sand

Personalized clothespins: Etched in Time

Some cocktail napkins with a plane graphic – no problem thanks to ForYourParty.com –

Oh and for some quick super big poster boards? Walgreens! Ha

BIG Thanks to everyone!!!!

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.

For a look back, check – Noise for the Needy blogs from 2008-2013 – 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Given the finale, I can’t help but bring back some of my favorite images from years past.

I have loved shooting this festival…and I will miss it and all that it represents. I am so happy I got to be even a small part of it, capturing the moments; and a bit sad it’s all over.

But alas, it’s all in the photos…so enjoy this last stand, live from the Tractor Tavern(ok, 2weeks later, but eh?!)…

~gallery slideshow~
Noise for the Needy 2014 – Images by Elisa Sherman

#nftn spirit forever.

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

Oddly, even our first unsuccessful run at the Super Bowl, didn’t penetrate, for me. I didn’t care, and barely paid attention. But something changed this year. It was some sort of odd unrecognizable energy in the air here in Seattle. Some will say it was the 12th man. Others, the Legion of Boom. I don’t know. I only know, that I started seeing these card board cut outs around the office of this guys head. I had to presume it was a Seahawk – with dreds, and sign saying Richard Sherman. Odd. Funny that a player basically had my dad’s name. Eventually, my curiousity and the news of the winning made me start turning on the games as filler while I would sit working on other things on Sundays. Then watching it seriously as the season, and the playoffs were becoming a reality. Ulitimately, caring if we had won enough to get the desired home field advantage. Clearly I was firmly back on the #bandwagon. With each playoff game, we believed. The NFC championship was almost unbelievable. To that final tip, I didn’t know what would happen, but it was like we couldn’t lose – and then, we didn’t. And it was the Super Bowl. Gathered around with friends and party food…we sat down to watch, the pregame, listen to all the commentators say how good the Seahawks were, but hey, Peyton would probably carry the Broncos to victory. Eye rolls all around. Then the game. And O.M.G. Now I know for those not Seahawks fans, it was probably the worse game ever; either boring or heartbreaking. But for Seattle – it was simple. It was euphoric. Screaming at every score, every interception, every run, every catch. It was both stunning yet completely unsurprising at some level, for those fans, the now famous 12th man, that had believed from the beginning. So, with the excitement not abating even after watching endless coverage post game, and basking in the afterglow for a few days, I donned my warmest layers, and worked my way to a good viewing spot just north of Westlake, north of the corner at 4th Ave and Stewart – and waited. Waited for an extra hour as the victory parade got a late start. Waited as my toes started screaming, and my fingertips icy. And then they were there, Mr. Skittles leading the charge, the party. And I clicked. Love you Seattle, Love you Seahawks. Love you Dad – this ones for you.

– and the full set of images –
Seahawks Super Bowl Victory Parade 2-5-2014 – Images by Elisa Sherman

For one, my photography has found a role within my life that is decidely less serious. I am a fan of images, first… An image maker, creating what has inspired or crossed my path.

Some music images have continued to make their way to my sensor, through the lenses…along with some gorgeous seascapes, glorious crystalline ice bergs, and a reappreciation for the fact,that it isn’t he camera you have, rather the camera you have with you, be it the 5d2 or my iPhone.

After all, the phone camera, you have, likely, with you all the time, so when an image appears by happenstance, in front of you, snap…the ultimate snapshot device as it were…

I have several this year, around town, on vacation, it is, image making at will, unplanned, and uncontrived – perhaps of quality, perhaps, just pure fun. Digital has made image capturing, the recording of pixels, a matter of course for pretty much everyone. And as a fan of images, I do not pretend to be above that fray…

Of course, the big heavy mark II got many a click, and as of a week or so ago, finally a sensor cleaning…

Some of my favorite images, landscape, life and beyond, not excluding music…

And with that, 2012 images are but a pixelated record in time…Adieu.