Commitment Ceremony

photo by Susan Farley

Chance and Rey exchange vows at their Commitment Ceremony in St. Paul's Chapel of Columbia U.

photo by Susan Farley
Couple at St. Paul's Chapel

photo by Susan Farley

Chance and Rey outside of the Chapel after their commitment ceremony.

On April 4th, 2009, Chance and Rey declared their commitment to each other in front of over 100 guests in St. Paul's Chapel of Columbia University in NYC.

I first met Chance when I photographed him for a NY Times freelance assignment.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/nyregion/23bigcity.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Chance%20Nalley&st=cse . He called me when the assignment ran and asked if I would photograph the church ceremony at St. Paul's.

Chance wore a tuxedo and Rey a suit when they made a dramatic entrance into the chapel as the doors opened and the bright sunlight blasted into the darkly lit chapel.

The ceremony included songs, readings and words from their wedding party. Two very young child guests surprised everyone when they walked onto the altar to stand with Chance and Rey. The moments added a sense of leviety and delight to the already upbeat mood within the Chapel.

They exited the Chapel with exhilaration, happy to have shared their vows and commitment to each other with their friend's and family.

"People with Fur"

"Smiling Dog" photo by Susan Farley

"Kitten with rope" photo by Susan Farley

"Aidan on carpet "by Susan Farley

"Harry runs" photo by Susan Farley



There is a story in the City Room section of the NY Times online today(4/02/2009) , titled "Pets feel the Recession too." http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/pets-feel-the-recession-too/?scp=2&sq=pets&st=cse#comment-394489

"John Ziegler, co-founder of the Manhattan doggie gym with six locations called Biscuits and Bath, said he had never seen so many dogs abandoned by owners who had just spent thousands of dollars on them. " (NYT)

The photos in the story include two of the newly homeless pets, a chihauhau named "Peanuts", and a poodle named 'Coco' taken by John Ziegler who is trying to help find them new homes.

These pets don't care about grooming spas, fancy foods, and elegant collars, they just want to be with their owners, their best friends. It is a fact that pets are known to be very healthy additions to a person's life, reducing stress, giving continual unconditional love, and even lowering one's blood pressure.

The casting off of these furry friends like old furniture is nothing short of heartbreaking.

As a pet owner and a photographer I always look for the personality and soul in pets,which is why I like to call them "People with Fur." The pet images I photographed and posted above, are shown living in the moment, I hope they make you smile.