What You Should Know About Hiring An LGBT Wedding Photographer In Florida

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There is no better place to wed your beloved than Florida, where marriage equality is now a norm. Known as one of the most gay-friendly states in the USA, Florida is home to many LGBT wedding photographers who can capture your most cherished moments.

However, picking a photographer who caters to same-sex weddings isn’t as easy as you might think! Just like picking a venue, florist, and caterer, choosing an inclusive photography company takes a lot of research and commitment. If you’re on the market for a gay wedding photographer to document your vows, keep these tips and suppliers in mind.

Tips For Picking An LGBT Wedding Photographer In Florida

Marriage equality has been in full for in Florida since January 6, 2015. Ever since then, LGBTQ couples around the world have been planning dream weddings in the sunshine state. If you are doing the same and want to support LGBTQ businesses, then it’s time to find the right gay wedding photographer. With a professional, you’ll have a collection of beautiful images and memories on which to look back.

Here are a few must-know tips for same-sex couples looking to hire the right photographer.

Consider What You & Your Future Spouse Want

Before shortlisting wedding vendors, you’ll want to first sit down with your partner and get a clearer picture of exactly what they want.

You can narrow your choices by considering the following:

Style: Do you prefer candid shots over a traditional, posed set-up? Do you want your images to look avant-garde?
Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a wedding photography package?
Add-ons: Do you want to have albums printed as wedding favors?
Experience: is it important to you and your partner to work with an experienced photographer, or are you open to working with newbies?

Review Their Portfolios

Taking a closer look at a vendor’s past work can give you a better idea of whether their style is something that suits you and your partner. For instance, some wedding photographers specialize in traditional photography, whereas others might provide cinematic or avant-garde options.

Most wedding photographers publish their portfolios on their websites or provide them upon request. Another place you can look at gay wedding portfolios is social media.

Look At Online Reviews

One of the best ways to get a feel of an LGBTQ+ wedding photographer is to read online reviews on their website. After all, you wouldn’t purchase a product without knowing whether it was dependable – it’s the same for your wedding day suppliers!

Look at reviews on Google, Yelp, or their website and weigh out any pros and cons. If there is negative feedback, it’s important to note whether the photographer responded and if they provided a solution. Feel free to reach out to former clients to get more insight!

Prioritize Someone Who Specifically Works With LGBTQ+ Couples

There have been many incidents where non-LGBT professionals posed married couples in heteronormative positions or made uncomfortable comments. A wedding photographer with experience working with the LGBTQ+ community can make your session more comfortable and enjoyable.

Anyway, you don’t want to subject yourself to discrimination or work with someone who will only put in minimal effort. Do you want total peace of mind? Work with a photographer who is also part of the LGBTQ+ community! If you’re unsure about your vendor’s history, you can always flat-out ask if they have worked on same-sex marriages before.

Sit Down With Them For A Consultation

Before same-sex marriage became legal in Florida, many gay couples were subject to heteronormative standards, so you’ll want to take the time to share your concerns with your vendor. There is no better way to determine whether certain vendors are the right fit for you than to sit them down for an interview.

Ask questions like:

What is your view on gay marriage?
Have you worked with lesbian or gay couples before? How did you enjoy photographing a same-sex wedding? In a year, how often do you photograph gay and lesbian weddings?
Is there anything about our specifications that make you uncomfortable?
Are you flexible when it comes to creative differences?
How have you resolved conflicts with clients in the past?

Don’t forget to get whatever they agree on in writing!

Top LGBT Wedding Photographers In Florida

Now that you know what you should be looking for in the right same-sex wedding photographer, here are a few LGBT-friendly vendors to add to your shortlist!

St. Jean Creative Photographic Services

If you want to capture a smaller or more intimate wedding day, St. Jean Creative Photographic Services has what you need. This LGBT-owned boutique wedding photography company provides services for all types of LGBTQ+ events, including weddings, engagements, graduations, and celebrations.

Its photographers are certified by the Professional Photographers of America, so you and your bride (or future husband) can rest assured that you’ll be getting high-quality photos.

Dylan Todd Photography

Fine artist and renowned Tampa photographer Dylan Todd is a queer professional who has done excellent work in same-sex marriage settings. While he is newer to the gay wedding industry, he has already been listed as one of Tampa’s favorite local photographers two years in a row!

Captured By Elle

Also one-half of a same-sex couple is Captured by Elle, based in Orlando. Owner Elle is a professional same-sex marriage photographer specializing in spectacular wedding films. Along with a generous package of wedding photos, Elle also provides LGBTQ+ couples with free engagement photo sessions as a way to get to know each other.

Lori Barbely

Central Florida photographer Lori Barbely has a soft spot for “Love is Love” wedding planning and working with LGBTQ+ couples. Her packages also include proposal and engagement photos for couples from all walks of life. Lori has a knack for capturing magical moments and is a regular for couples looking to wed at the Happiest Place on Earth: Disney World!

Ashley Gay

As its title suggests, Ashley Gay Photography specializes in gay wedding photos and engagement settings. In addition, her wedding packages include maternity shoots for soon-to-be brides and fun friends-and-family sessions. Ashley’s wedding photos are known for being natural, playful, and authentic. She is also based in Central Florida.

The Bottom Line

Not only should an inclusive wedding videographer be LGBT-friendly, but they should be able to photograph every moment, nuance, and emotion at your LGBTQ+ wedding. If you are planning your LGBTQ+ wedding and still don’t have a gay wedding photographer to do the job, we hope this guide helped narrow down your options!

Now that you are ready to narrow-down your photographer, head over to our how-to guide to plan an Epic Florida Beach Wedding.

**Disclaimer: There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate or sponsor links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you (for which we are extremely grateful).

Also, while we do our best to highlight LGBTQ-friendly destinations and businesses, info provided is based solely on personal experience and recommendations by community partners. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida, but we make no guarantees. Please inform us if you experience discrimination or homophobia while visiting any destination so we can make updates to our recommendations.

Rachel Covello

Rachel Covello is an award-winning speaker, writer, diversity consultant, and LGBT advocate. She was the Founder of LGBT Equality Alliance, a Chester County, PA nonprofit organization. She is currently the Publisher of OutCoast.com and Producer of the OutCoast TV YouTube Channel, both of which highlight LGBTQ welcoming destinations in Florida.

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