Jodie and Roy One Love Union | Shaw Park Gardens
Jodie and Roy One Love Union | Shaw Park Gardens
In February 2017 I received a call from an event planner seeking a photographer for a wedding union. I was informed that Jodie and Roy One Love Union wasn’t a typical wedding but more of a revolutionary union celebration. I was unsure what that meant or how to quote for such a union. Nonetheless I was interested and with less than two weeks to go we made the necessary arrangements and made it happen.
Fast forward some two weeks we arrived in Ocho Rios at the Jewel Runaway to cover Jodie and Roy One Love Union and Revolutionary Love Brunch. This gave me a better idea of the type of event I was dealing with and what to expect at the Union ceremony later that day. Needless to say, I was surrounded by revolutionaries, activists, feminists, and other followers who were gathered to celebrate LOVE. Sounds of Bob Marley’s One Love resonated throughout the room as the guests paid their tributes and gave their well wishes to Jodie and Roy.
Jodie is an international peace, environmental, women’s rights and social justice activist and Roy an internationally acclaimed IT-thought evangelist and founder of ThoughtWorks. The love they share is beyond anything I have ever witnessed. Their passion and hunger for each other was truly unbelievable.
It was all a remarkable experience to say the very least. I was surrounded by not just people but by LOVE. It was quite special to be in such esteemed company and to be able to capture it through my lens. Once the brunch was over I made my way to Shaw Park Gardens for the Union Ceremony. Like they told me prior, this was not your “typical wedding”. This was an all out event or festival if you will. There was a large sound system blasting revolutionary reggae love songs, there was a live band, pasta men with jelly coconuts, a marijuana tent, a henna tent among many many other amenities! This was amazing!
I immediately went scouting the best places for photos, however I was told the couple did not want any traditional couple portraits. I was just left to document the union as it unfolded. This in itself was also rewarding as I had never previously witnessed anything of this nature. Once we finished with the ceremony we proceeded to set up our Photo Booth and we had a great evening!
Do enjoy!
Thanks to all those who made this beautiful One Love Union possible!
Photography: Chinphotographics
Second Shooter/Assistant: Daniel Ford