Whether you’re inviting all of your friends and family or keeping it small, planning your wedding can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. One of the big decisions you’ll need to make is whether to hire a photographer or not and, if so, what kind of photographer you should hire.
When you’re planning your dream wedding, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not your vendors are going to be able to accommodate your needs as an LGBTQ+ couple. Finding an inclusive photographer who’s accustomed to photographing LGBTQ+ weddings can be challenging, but there are a few ways you can help make sure you get the results you want—and that your experience doesn’t ruin the joy of your big day! Here are some tips on how to find an inclusive photographer for your lesbian wedding.
Know Whether You Want a Wedding Ceremony or Elopement
Knowing whether you want a wedding ceremony or elopement will help you pick a to capture the beautiful moments of your day. If you’re wondering if there’s any difference between hiring an elopement photographer and just hiring a photographer for your elopement, we’d say — Yes! A specialized elopement photographer will not only document the day and click beautiful pictures as you exchange your rings and step into a new phase of your life but also help with other aspects, such as helping you plan out your entire day and giving travel advice.
So before you shortlist a potential photographer, it is best to discuss what you have in mind to avoid any last-minute surprises.
Leverage Social Media
Finding a photographer is as much about knowing what you’re looking for as it is about knowing where to look. Use hashtags associated with your couple and search social media to help you find photographers who want to capture not only your love story but also your love. If you’re on social media and you’re looking to book a lesbian wedding proposal photographer or a wedding photographer, start by searching relevant hashtags. This can be as broad as #wedding or as specific as #lesbianwedding. This will give you a great idea of not only photographers that are active in your area but ones that seem friendly and open.
Browse Through Multiple Sources
When looking for a photographer, don’t just rely on your social network stalking skills. Get out there and ask around your LGBTQ friends if they have someone in sight. You can also go online to browse professional portfolios from photographers near you. If you find someone whose work appeals to you, set up a consultation where you can ask about their experience shooting LGBT weddings and ask any other questions that come to mind.
Don’t Overlook Their Website and Portfolio
When researching potential wedding photographers, take some time to read through their past client reviews and look at photos from past weddings. Some photographers might be willing to create a custom portfolio just for you if it means you’ll consider hiring them. It’s worth contacting your prospective wedding photographer to see if they can do that, as seeing their work is a great way to determine whether or not they would be right for your big day. After all, these are pictures that will live on forever, so you want someone who can make sure they’re perfect!
Establish Familiarity and Comfort
When you meet with a potential photographer, establish some familiarity and get to know them in a casual setting. This will allow you to feel more comfortable with their style and personality, which are important traits to consider when looking for someone who will capture your big day. No matter who you are or what your sexual orientation is, it can be hard to make a new acquaintance feel comfortable. When hiring a wedding photographer, you want someone whose personality reflects yours and that of your fiancé; getting to know them will help ensure you’re on the same page about style and philosophy.
Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions
It’s important to talk with prospective photographers, and it’s also important to ask questions. The key is not being afraid to ask your questions; whether you’re looking at a website or portfolio, asking a photographer if they have experience photographing lesbian weddings, or even just something simple like how many pictures will be taken on average during a wedding, make sure you get detailed answers. It might take some digging, but it will all be worth it in the end when you finally find that perfect photographer.
Prioritize Someone Who Has Previously Worked With LGBTQ Couples
It’s important to prioritize those who have a proven track record of working with LGBTQ couples. Same-sex weddings are still new territory, so look to those with experience shooting these sorts of celebrations. By prioritizing queer photographers, you ensure that your wedding will be documented in a way that respects LGBTQ identity and celebrates its inherent diversity.
Hiring the right photographer to capture your lesbian wedding can be an intimidating task, especially if you’re looking for someone with experience photographing same-sex ceremonies. If you’re looking for LGBT wedding photography services in Austin, TX, get in touch with Riley Glenn Photography to schedule a consultation today!
