Photographer captures changing face of American marriage
NEW YORK -- When most people see Natasha Jahangir, 28, they assume she's just a wedding photographer. But she isn't just capturing moments - she's chronicling the evolution of American marriage.
Jahangir takes photos of all types of couples -- interracial, interfaith and same-sex -- right after they tie the knot at New York's city hall.
"I mean, it's easy to see it in New York because New York is such a melting pot of people," said Jahngir. "I mean I'm sure it was happening before but now it's just so much more."
Her blog, "Married in New York," tells the stories of all kinds of newlyweds. She doesn't mention their names -- just how they met. So far the reaction to her work has been overwhelmingly positive.
"I thought that it would be really amazing if I could start documenting this sort of visual diary of how couples choose their spouse," said Jahangir.
Jahangir says she's had couples that are afraid to be photographed. In one instance, two Asian women who had just gotten married were hesitant to have their picture taken.
"They said, 'Just don't show our faces because our family doesn't know and they would never understand,'" said Jahangir. "I took a picture of their bouquet."
With same-sex marriage now legal in all 50 states, Jahangir hopes to travel to more city halls to take even more portraits.
"It is such a burst of energy when people come out they're so happy you cannot help but smile and be happy for them," she said. "To be able to capture that, I just love it."