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Category: Education

On Being Nonbinary

March 25, 2021
nonbinary, photographer

Some folks have been asking me how I’m trans if I came out as nonbinary, so I wanted to share some education around gender identity. As defined by @transstudent, transgender/trans…

posted in: Education
tagged with: Gender Identity, nonbinary photographer, trans photographer, wedding photography

On Gender Reveal Parties

February 23, 2021
gender reveal parties, harmful, binary

[CW: Violence] Last year, a California fire sparked by a pyrotechnic device used at a gender reveal party grew over 10,000 acres. In 2017, an Arizona fire spread nearly 47,000…

posted in: Education
tagged with: gender reveal, harmful, LGBTQIA, nonbinary, trans

On Second Shooter Rates

February 15, 2021
second shooter rates, photography

When I started as a photographer in the wedding industry over 10 years ago, I was paid $50/hour for second shooting. Over a decade has passed and industry rates for…

posted in: Education
tagged with: capitalism, pandemic, second shooters, wedding industry

On Ableist Language

January 13, 2021
ableist language

CW: Ableism and ableist language [Image description: When we use ableist language to describe white supremacy, we only uphold it.] After the white supremacist violence that took place at the…

posted in: Education
tagged with: ableism, ableist language, alternatives, mental health, mental illness, Sins Invalid, wedding industry

On allyship

January 11, 2021
performative allyship

In 2016, the safety pin emerged as a symbol of unity. A way for people to show they were “allies” and didn’t support the hateful messaging that coincided with Trump’s…

posted in: Education
tagged with: accountability, allyship, performative activism, philadelphia, values, wedding industry

Why Diversity Matters in the Wedding Industry

November 12, 2020
photo of LOVE sign in pride colors on City Hall door in Philadelphia

It’s hard to talk about inclusivity without diversity. Diversity: “The condition of having or being composed of differing elements. Especially: the inclusion of different types of people (such as people…

posted in: Education
tagged with: ableism, accessibility, anti-racism, cultural appropriation, diversity, inclusion, philadelphia, wedding industry, wedding photography, wedding vendors

LGBTQIA+ Affirming Language Guide for Wedding Vendors

November 12, 2020
they, them, nonbinary, wedding, gender, LGBTQIA+

Language is incredibly powerful. It literally binds marriages. It’s the thing that holds together heartfelt vows, hilarious toasts, and welcomes guests to make them feel included. As a wedding photographer…

posted in: Education
tagged with: Affirming, gender, gender binary, Gender Identity, language, LGBT, LGBTQIA, terminology, wedding photography

The Wedding Industry is Ableist: Let’s Challenge These “Norms”

October 12, 2020
self-portrait, ableism, wedding industry

The wedding industry is ableist. From venues that push disabled people out by not opening doors to them, to clients who expect vendors to be invincible — ableism, like many…

posted in: Education
tagged with: ableism, ableist, disability, Wedding, wedding industry

Coming Into Myself as LGBTQIA+: A Personal Essay on Queer Invisibility

October 12, 2020
coming out, self-portrait, queer

I’m in my mid-30s and coming out as queer. This is something I struggle to type, as I’ve only ever had relationships with two people. Both of whom I ended…

posted in: Education
tagged with: coming out, LGBTQIA, nonbinary, pansexual, queer, queer invisibility, sexuality, transness

3 Simple Tips: Affirming Client Questionnaires

October 11, 2020
affirming wedding questionnaire

Many clients embrace gendered terms, such as bride or groom, while others prefer their name or another title. It’s best to use your clients’ words of choice and let them…

posted in: Education
tagged with: Affirming, Gender Identity, photographers, photography, Plural relationships, Polyamorous, Pronouns, questionnaire, workflow

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