Love for all is not just something I say, but it is something I believe in with all my heart. Particularly as a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, #pan.

Earlier this year I attended an inclusivity workshop for wedding photographers/suppliers. The focus was predominantly on the LGBTQ+ community, but it also covered a bit of cultural, ethnicity and disability inclusivity.

The morning consisted of education seminar, and then in the afternoon we had the privilege to photograph to beautiful couples in two different set ups.

But you may ask yourself, if I already consider myself an inclusive supplier and part of the community why I would attend this workshop.

1. There is always more to learn!

I kind of just think this is a fact of life. If you think you have learned it all no matter the topic/subject, you haven’t. During the education section I learnt more about;

The LGBTQ+ history in the UK, particularly in terms of civil partnerships & marriage.
LGBTQ+ rights worldwide.
Terms & terminology. Why certain phrases are problematic if on the surface they don’t look it.
Best practices to be a more inclusive supplier in the industry.

2. Reassurance.

Being a portrait and wedding photographer is a fairly lonely job in reality. Most of us don’t have a team of people, we are just trying to work everything out on our own. So sometimes it’s good to check in with peers to make sure your practices align with industry best practices.

3. Community and networking.

It’s always super nice to network with people who have similar values, to learn about their practices and experiences.

Meet other people in the LGBTQ+ community and again learn more about their experiences. As inevitably my personal experiences are not going to be the same as everyone else’s in the LGBTQ+ community.

4. Have some fun and take some gorgeous photos without any pressure.

Styled shoots can be great fun, a way to explore new ideas or try new things in a low-risk environment.

This shoot was especially beneficial for me as I had just got my 28-70mm f2 lens, so it was a great opportunity to get a feel for it’s behaviour before a real wedding or shoot.

But the best thing is photographing gorgeous couples in love, with absolutely stunning styling in a super lovely wedding venue.