Wedding photography has come a long way in recent years. The traditional approach of capturing the perfect shot with perfectly posed couples in perfectly coordinated outfits has evolved into a more inclusive and accepting style of photography.
Inclusive photography is about capturing the diversity of people’s love stories in an authentic and respectful way, embracing imperfections and celebrating differences. This growing trend is transforming the wedding industry, and it’s a movement that every photographer should embrace.
Photography is a powerful tool that can create real change in the world, and inclusive photography can make it possible for every person to feel seen, heard, and celebrated.
– Marie Filonenko, Brush & Feathers
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What’s Wrong With Perfection in Photography?
My journey towards inclusive photography began when I realized that the pursuit of perfection was stifling my creativity. I was so focused on capturing the perfect shot that I was missing the nuances that made each couple unique.
It was only when I started to embrace the imperfections and the unexpected moments that I began to create images that truly reflected the couples’ personalities and love stories.
As I embraced a more inclusive approach to wedding photography, I discovered several principles that helped me create a comfortable and respectful atmosphere for my clients.
Say “No” to Judgement
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First and foremost, I learned to avoid judgment. Instead of imposing my own ideas about what a perfect wedding should look like, I focused on understanding my clients’ vision and creating a space where they could be themselves.
I encouraged self-discovery, helping my clients express their personalities and explore their relationship dynamics. This often meant taking a step back and letting them take the lead, trusting that they would show me the moments that truly mattered.
Perfectly Imperfect
Another important principle of inclusive photography is accepting imperfections. This means drawing inspiration from personal histories, showcasing personalities, and challenging beauty standards. I learned to look for beauty in unexpected places, finding inspiration in the quirks that made each couple unique.
I also realized that promoting body positivity and self-acceptance was an essential part of my job as a photographer. Instead of trying to hide flaws, I learned to embrace them, using them as a source of creativity and inspiration.
Celebrating the Beauty of Differences
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Inclusive photography is all about embracing diversity in terms of culture, age, sexuality, gender, religion, and ethnicity. It’s about promoting a healthy distance from oneself and accepting one’s weaknesses and imperfections.
This means creating a space where everyone feels seen and heard, regardless of their background or identity. It’s about capturing the richness of human experience and celebrating the beauty of difference.
Beauty in All Shapes and Forms
One of the most rewarding aspects of inclusive photography is the opportunity to challenge traditional beauty standards. By embracing diversity and showcasing a range of body types, skin colors, and cultural backgrounds, photographers can help to redefine what is considered beautiful.
This is especially important in an industry that has historically excluded marginalized communities. By showing the world that love comes in all shapes and sizes, we can create a more inclusive and accepting society.
Nature Is the Ultimate Photography Teacher
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Finally, inclusive photography is about embracing nature. This means capturing the beauty of the natural world and using it as a backdrop for our images.
It’s about connecting with the environment and creating a sense of harmony between the couple and their surroundings. By doing so, we can create images that are not only beautiful but also meaningful, capturing the essence of the couple’s relationship in a way that is both authentic and timeless.
In conclusion, inclusive photography is a growing trend that every photographer should embrace. By creating a comfortable atmosphere, avoiding judgment, encouraging self-discovery, accepting imperfections, drawing inspiration from personal histories, showcasing personalities, challenging beauty standards, and embracing nature, we can create images that truly reflect the diversity of people’s love stories.
By promoting a healthy distance from oneself and accepting one’s weaknesses and imperfections, we can create a more inclusive and accepting society. So let’s embrace diversity and love, and let’s create images that will inspire future generations to celebrate differences and embrace inclusivity.
Is inclusive photography just a passing trend?
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Inclusive photography is not just a trend, it’s a movement that has the power to create real change in the world. As wedding photographers, we have a unique opportunity to shape the way people think about love, relationships, and identity.
By embracing inclusivity, we can help to create a more accepting and diverse society by taking away people’s attention from pursuit of an imposed beauty standard and funneling it towards understanding each other.
We can create images that inspire people to see the beauty in difference and to celebrate the unique qualities that make each person and each relationship special.
But embracing inclusivity is not always easy. It requires us to confront our own biases and assumptions, to challenge the norms that have shaped our industry, and to be willing to listen and learn from others. It requires us to be vulnerable and open to new ideas, and to be willing to step outside of our comfort zones.
So let’s embrace diversity and love, and let’s create images that reflect the richness and diversity of human experience. By doing so, we can create a better world for ourselves and for future generations.