LOVE FOR ALL.
I’m proud to photograph everyone & anyone
Couples of all races, cultures, genders, abilities, faiths, sexualities and backgrounds are welcome here.
Now is a more important time than ever to breakdown the stereotypes we have formed or been fed, dispel any misconceptions, prejudices and bias we have against others and to celebrate our differences.
A wedding is a celebration of love. That’s it. Except we are given a very fairytale-esque picture of what that day should be – and if you want to do things differently or if you look differently to the blonde haired, white, size 10 cis woman portrayed in the magazines, there can seem like there’s no place for you.
Things have come on leaps and bounds in the last 5 years, but there are still there are things like the shocking fact that none of the top three best selling wedding magazines have EVER featured a woman of non-white ethnicity on the cover (this was true in 2017 when I wrote this!)
One of my business values (if you want to read more about these you can here) is inclusivity and I want to do as much as I can to make every single person entering the wedding industry feel welcome and comfortable whatever they look like or regardless of any physical or mental disability.
It’s about creating a conversation and promoting change with diversity, and making sure ALL people getting married feel included in the wedding planning and process, that there are resources for everyone.
I am constantly priorisiting educating myself in this area, and I am always willing to learn and be corrected by others in this journey.
So what am I doing?
Þ Aiming to showcasing all couples on my website and in my marketing materials
Þ Using non-exclusive wording on my site and in my contracts
Þ Putting in the time to educate myself about historic and current issues that minority groups face, especially in the wedding industry
Þ Supporting blogs and other photographers tackling the issues
Þ Boycott brands, blogs, vendors, venues and publications that don’t outwardly support a movement of inclusivity within the wedding industry.
Þ Adding alt-tags on my website for visually impaired
Þ Challenging racist and prejudice views in my social groups outside of the industry
Here are some brilliant blogs that celebrate diversity and difference in the wedding industry.
I’d love to hear any feedback on this from couples who have experiences in planning a wedding, their thoughts on any of the things I’ve touched upon or if there’s anything else I can do help the issues raised above.
This post is written as a direct response to attending Nu Bride’s diversity and inclusivity in the industry workshop. You can find more about her workshops, talks, and consultancy here.