Many couples ask me whether I am comfortable photographing different types of weddings, family situations or personal circumstances.
The honest answer is that I sometimes find the question quite surprising.
As a wedding photographer, my focus has always been on people. Whether you’re a same-sex couple, a couple managing health challenges, a family navigating autism or ADHD, or simply two people excited to get married, my job is exactly the same. I want to get to know you, understand what matters to you and create beautiful photographs that reflect your day honestly.
Every couple deserves to feel comfortable, relaxed and completely accepted by the people around them on their wedding day, including their wedding photographer.
Same-Sex Weddings
I regularly photograph both lesbian and gay weddings and I understand how important it is that couples feel comfortable knowing their wedding photographer is genuinely LGBTQ+ friendly. For me I love photographing couples in love, gender or identity is never a consideration.
The reality is that it almost feels strange for me to even write about it.
To me, a same sex relationship is no different from my own heterosexual relationship with my partner. I am interested in who you are as people, how you met, what makes you laugh, what you’re looking forward to most and how I can capture your wedding day naturally.
Oddly, I often find it is the men who are more concerned about whether I am genuinely relaxed around same-sex weddings. If I’m completely honest, I still struggle to understand why this would ever be an issue, because it genuinely isn’t even on my radar.
I just want to hear about your plans, learn about you as a couple and enjoy photographing your wedding.
And I have to say, same-sex weddings do tend to be brilliant fun. The energy is often incredible, the dance floors are usually packed and there is always a wonderful atmosphere throughout the day.
On a lighter note, one wedding guest once jokingly suggested I should leave my partner and marry her instead. Although to be fair, I once had an eighty-year-old gentleman do exactly the same thing, so I try not to get too carried away with myself. I think that sums me up nicely, I just light hearted, good fun and easy going.
Autism, ADHD And Different Ways Of Communicating
I’ve spoken about this in more detail elsewhere on my blogs, but I am frequently asked whether I am comfortable photographing weddings where autism, ADHD or neurodiversity may play a part.
The answer is absolutely yes. Call me and we can chat about.
As a parent familar with ADHD and with autistic family members, I understand that every person processes situations differently. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. I’m also not an expert, but I have found a style that people often say is ideal or as if I am an expert.
Some couples like to have detailed conversations before the wedding to let me know certain things and ask for my input. Others prefer visual examples rather than verbal instructions on the day. Some children need time to build trust before a camera appears, even a chance to take some photographs themselves. Some adults simply appreciate a calm, patient approach without any pressure.
My role is always to adapt to the individual rather than expect the individual to adapt to me.
Health Conditions, Mobility Challenges And Older Family Members
Weddings bring together people from every stage of life, and sometimes that means accommodating health conditions, mobility issues or elderly relatives.
I’ve photographed weddings where members of the wedding party required oxygen support, or where mobility was limited and/or where standing for long periods simply wasn’t possible.
In these situations, my photography adapts around people, not the other way around.
Sometimes that means planning photographs differently. Sometimes it means bringing family members together where they are seated rather than asking them to move around. Sometimes it means taking more regular breaks, shortening walking distances or simply slowing things down.
Many couples are also planning weddings around elderly parents or grandparents. Weddings can be long, emotional and tiring days, even for people who are usually active and independent.
I’m always conscious of this and work carefully to make sure family photographs are organised efficiently, comfortably and respectfully.
No Two Couples Are The Same
One of the things I find most fascinating as a wedding photographer is not whether a couple is gay, straight, young, old, neurodiverse or managing health challenges.
What fascinates me is how different every couple is.
Some couples book me and I turn up with very little information. We instantly click, have a laugh and create wonderful photographs together.
Others have incredibly moving stories behind their wedding. Sometimes a wedding has been brought forward because of health concerns. Sometimes it is because an elderly family member’s health is deteriorating. Other times it is a celebration following recovery from a difficult period in life.
Those stories stay with you.
At the other end of the spectrum are couples who plan everything years in advance. I think the furthest ahead I have ever been booked was around three years before the wedding day.
Some couples arrive with spreadsheets, timelines, colour-coded schedules and multiple planning meetings.
Others send me the final schedule an hour before I leave for the venue.
I won’t lie, those ones can occasionally make me jump.
Thankfully, after photographing weddings for many years, I’ve become very good at adapting quickly.
A Friendly And Relaxed Approach
If there is one thing I hope couples notice about me, it is that I am approachable and relaxed.
I am naturally chatty, friendly and easy-going. I genuinely enjoy getting to know people and becoming part of the day rather than standing awkwardly in the corner with a camera.
Some couples want lots of communication beforehand. Others want to keep things simple. Some even involve me in surprises, secret wedding plans and carefully organised surprises for their partner. I love these.
Some become incredible creative and playful on the day, I’ve had handstands, people pyramids, flying grooms, etc..
Others prefer to go with the flow and see what happens.
Whatever your style, I am happy to adapt.
As an experienced wedding photographer, I can honestly say I have seen almost everything. Family dramas, emotional reunions, surprise guests, forgotten rings, last-minute schedule changes and plenty of wonderfully unexpected moments.
That’s part of what makes weddings so special.
At The Heart Of It All
At the end of the day, every wedding comes back to the same thing.
Two people celebrating their relationship with the people they love most.
My job as your wedding photographer is not to judge, direct or change who you are.
My job is to make you feel comfortable enough to be yourselves.
Because when people feel comfortable, genuine moments happen naturally.
And those genuine moments always make the best photographs.