7 Tips for LGBTQIA+ Wedding Photography

What's the best way to photograph LGBTQIA+ weddings and what's unique about them?  Perhaps you've just received a commission, you're looking to build a more inclusive portfolio or you're keen to build up your knowledge and understanding.

Queer wedding photographer Steph Large has more than seven years of experience shooting weddings and provides diversity and inclusion training for photographers. 

We asked Steph to share her top tips on photographing LGBTQIA+ weddings. Over to you, Steph.

1. Understand The Similarities And Differences

I prepare in much the same way as any shoot, as even if my couples or lovers are straight-facing they still may be part of the community. 

I photograph a wedding day the same as whoever my couple is, depending on the hours of coverage I have with them. Getting ready, the ceremony, confetti, group photos and dancing are all part of that.

Portraits of couples are my favorite, though. I can take them away from the hectic day, and they get some time to reflect on the day with each other while I can freely capture their love.

I think it's so important to know how to be inclusive and an actual ally beforehand. We see so many people market to ‘just brides’ or ‘the bride and the groom’. Language needs to be gender neutral, no assumptions made and a portfolio that represents every love.

2. Get to Know the Couple Beforehand

I ask lots of questions and get to know the couple as much as I can. I ask if there are any family dynamics I may need to be aware of, and how happy they are with public displays of affection. I do not presume anything about them, their relationship or their day.

3. Learn The Correct Pronouns To Use

Asking people's pronouns on the first inquiry is such an easy thing to add to inquiry forms. It means you know who the couple/lovers are from the start and how they want to be referred to. When their big day comes, you won’t misgender them or make any presumptions. This will be able to affirm them on a really important day, allowing them to be their most authentic selves. My questionnaire, which I give the couple just before the wedding, also asks for pronouns again.

4. Don't Make Assumptions About Gender Roles 

We have such an array of people in the community, and being affirming and providing a safe space for everyone is so important. I think the wedding industry sees a more femme-presenting person and presumes they’d wear a dress or the more masculine person would ‘be the man in the relationship’ which just isn’t the case. Presumptions can really hurt people and their identity, making them lose trust in you as a supplier.

5. Don't Automatically Follow Traditions

I think it’s important to say anyone can break traditions, no matter who you love, but I certainly tend to see them more with queer weddings. My number one favorite thing is when the couples get ready together. It makes people less anxious and makes for cute photos. Why would you not want to be with your person? There's no being ‘given away,’ no patriarchal traditions here!

The mindset of ‘having’ to do anything doesn’t exist. Literally forget the rule book of what you think a wedding should look like or what you should do, and just do you. Eat what you want, wear what you want, invite who you want. 

I love it when people make their weddings their own. People who are comfortable and confident in what they are wearing—it really shines through in the photos. I love power suits, messing up binaries, and people who bring traditional outfits into their weddings. 

6. Prepare Your Camera Bag

It’s great to be prepared in advance with a couple of different lenses for the shoot. I typically use the Sony A7 IV and usually have my Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM and FE 50mm f/1.4 GM lenses on me. My shopping basket currently has the FE 24mm f/1.4 GM too. 

Read our Fujifilm X-T4 for wedding reviews or recommended camera gear for weddings.

7. Most Importantly, Celebrate!

It is amazing to witness people being themselves and truly in love, openly, freely and authentically. Being able to photograph that, and capture a moment in time, is the best job in the world.

Looking for more wedding photography guides? Read our interviews with Fabio Mirulla and Cedar & Pines, or more tips and techniques on the MPB Content Hub.