There are a lot of things you can do (in your daily life too, for that matter!) to be a more inclusive photographer & small business owner. Here are a couple of simple things you can do to get started!

Ask for pronouns, always!

Let’s start simple. In the contact form on your website, ask for pronouns when collecting potential clients’ information. In real life, when you ask someone’s name, ask their pronouns too. When I introduce myself, I also simultaneously give my pronouns. Make it a normal piece of your introductions, from here on out. It helps, I promise! Showing from the start that you care about someone’s identity is huge.

Ditch the gendered language.

For wedding photographers especially, it’s easy to say bride and groom, fiancé/fiancée, groomsmen/bridesmaids, etc. Try “you and your partner” (or my favorite, “nearlyweds”), “the wedding party” (vs. the bridal party) – the list goes on.

There are a thousand non-gendered ways to chit chat about weddings. Use them! Any couple who visits your website will be able to picture themselves as your future clients if your website isn’t only tailored for brides.

Also leave behind gendered posing.

I know, twirling and dipping can be fun go-to’s during a session. But, try to get creative and find other ways for your couples to connect in front of your lens. Walking, kissing, sitting or laying together, chasing each other – there are SO many things you can do to candidly capture a love story that aren’t your top three girl/guy engagement photo prompts. And on that note, please don’t make gendered assumptions about queer couples. Just treat them as two humans in love.

Representation counts.

A couple looking for their wedding photographer is much more likely to book a photographer who has couples that look like them on their website and social media. It shows that you’re an inclusive business owner, that you’ve worked with different kinds of couples and that you know how to talk to & pose people who don’t necessarily follow traditional gender norms. Now, please don’t treat an LGBTQ+ wedding like something you want to cross off your bucket list – but if you want to book more queer couples, maybe do a model call or host a styled shoot. Do the work to show that you’re an inclusive business. Put a small pride flag or a “hate not tolerated” or “all are welcome here” on your website somewhere.

Just be kind and accepting…

…to all the people in your life and to all the people who approach your business – regardless of size, gender, ability, race or sexuality. People will feel welcome if YOU make them feel welcome.