MY STORY
This website has gone through many iterations over the last decade, from 22 years as a holistic health practitioner to online astrology consultations through an integrative counseling office based out of New York. The inspiration to become an ordained wedding officiant, however, happened when I attended my first LGBTQ marriage ceremony that was held in a friend's backyard circa 2006. This was a time when same-sex marriage was still illegal in most states, particularly in the South. The experience was so profound that it stayed with me for weeks.
In 2010 I began my training as an interfaith minister at The New Seminary in New York City, founded by Rabbi Joseph Gelberman. I had always considered myself deeply spiritual, but conventional religion was not my cup of tea so I set out to explore all the different paths that lead to God.
My Christian upbringing had succeeded in teaching me one very important thing: The Golden Rule. So I wanted to be part of a broader coalition to protect those most affected by bigotry - LGBTQ, mixed race, and mixed faith couples in particular.
Years later, during the summer of the Covid 19 outbreak, a wave of activism spread across the nation. The murder of George Floyd sparked a national movement that was aided by a brief but impactful pause in our capitalist agenda. People had more time, energy and combined resource to speak truth to power in a way many of us hadn't seen in our lifetime. The efforts of each generation, young and old, made it very clear- systemic change requires constant unified pressure. It is in this spirit of conscious evolution that I approach all branches of oppression- including who we are "allowed" to love and marry.
I began my career in photography as a hobbyist which led to documenting civil disobedience protests. In 2023 I became a photo-contributor at a local counter-culture magazine, and I also began working in a historical jazz archive where I learned the value of preserving history through the lens of working class people who are the bedrock of society.
I am sharing this because I believe in transparency. You should know who you are working with before you sign on, and my vision is to work with people who share the same hopes, dreams, and values that I have for an equitable, sustainable society free of harm. If you feel energized after reading this then I very much look forward to working with you and co-creating a truly sacred experience for your special event.
(Read more here)
This website has gone through many iterations over the last decade, from 22 years as a holistic health practitioner to online astrology consultations through an integrative counseling office based out of New York. The inspiration to become an ordained wedding officiant, however, happened when I attended my first LGBTQ marriage ceremony that was held in a friend's backyard circa 2006. This was a time when same-sex marriage was still illegal in most states, particularly in the South. The experience was so profound that it stayed with me for weeks.
In 2010 I began my training as an interfaith minister at The New Seminary in New York City, founded by Rabbi Joseph Gelberman. I had always considered myself deeply spiritual, but conventional religion was not my cup of tea so I set out to explore all the different paths that lead to God.
My Christian upbringing had succeeded in teaching me one very important thing: The Golden Rule. So I wanted to be part of a broader coalition to protect those most affected by bigotry - LGBTQ, mixed race, and mixed faith couples in particular.
Years later, during the summer of the Covid 19 outbreak, a wave of activism spread across the nation. The murder of George Floyd sparked a national movement that was aided by a brief but impactful pause in our capitalist agenda. People had more time, energy and combined resource to speak truth to power in a way many of us hadn't seen in our lifetime. The efforts of each generation, young and old, made it very clear- systemic change requires constant unified pressure. It is in this spirit of conscious evolution that I approach all branches of oppression- including who we are "allowed" to love and marry.
I began my career in photography as a hobbyist which led to documenting civil disobedience protests. In 2023 I became a photo-contributor at a local counter-culture magazine, and I also began working in a historical jazz archive where I learned the value of preserving history through the lens of working class people who are the bedrock of society.
I am sharing this because I believe in transparency. You should know who you are working with before you sign on, and my vision is to work with people who share the same hopes, dreams, and values that I have for an equitable, sustainable society free of harm. If you feel energized after reading this then I very much look forward to working with you and co-creating a truly sacred experience for your special event.
(Read more here)
Marisa Clogher photography