Choosing your wedding photographer is about more than finding photographs you like. For interracial couples, there can also be questions around how different skin tones will be photographed and edited, whether both of you will be represented properly and whether your photographer will understand the people, traditions and cultures that are part of your wedding.
These are completely reasonable things to think about when choosing someone to photograph your day.
In this post, I am sharing some of the things worth looking for, from seeing how a photographer handles different skin tones and lighting to their approach to inclusion, family dynamics and the way they actually work on a wedding day.
COMMON CONCERNS INTERRACIAL COUPLES MAY HAVE
Choosing a wedding photographer is already a big decision, but interracial couples can have some additional things to consider. Here are a few questions that might be worth thinking about:
Will our skin tones be represented equally and beautifully in the photos?
Different lighting conditions and editing approaches can affect how skin tones are represented, so it is worth looking at how a photographer photographs different skin tones together across a full wedding day.
This is where looking beyond a photographer's favourite images can be particularly useful. You want to see consistency across different lighting, locations and parts of the wedding rather than judging their work from a handful of photographs.
Will our photographer understand our dynamic without making assumptions?
You might wonder whether a photographer will make assumptions about the two of you or treat your relationship differently.
Look for someone who takes the time to understand you as a couple and photographs you in a way that feels comfortable and natural.
You should be able to talk openly about what you want from your photography, anything you would rather avoid and what would help you feel comfortable on the day.
Will our families feel comfortable and respected?
If your families come from different cultural or religious backgrounds, it is worth choosing a photographer who will take the time to understand anything they should know about your families, traditions or ceremony before the wedding.
This can be particularly useful when planning family photographs or if there are traditions and important parts of the day your photographer needs to be aware of.
Your photographer will not necessarily know how everything works, so a good conversation beforehand gives you the chance to explain what matters to you and gives them the chance to ask questions.
Will our wedding be captured in a way that feels like us?
Every wedding is different.
Look for a photographer whose work shows different couples, families and celebrations, but also somebody who takes the time to understand what matters to the two of you.
Your wedding photographs should reflect the people, relationships and moments that were actually part of your day rather than trying to fit your wedding into somebody else's idea of what it should look like.
These will not be concerns for every interracial couple, but if they matter to you, they are worth discussing with your photographer before you book.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER
Ask to see full galleries, not just the highlights.
It is easy to be impressed by a photographer's Instagram or portfolio, but those will naturally contain a selection of their favourite work.
For interracial couples, it can be particularly useful to see how a photographer works with different skin tones across an entire wedding day and in different lighting conditions.
Ask to see a full wedding gallery that features interracial couples or a range of skin tones. Look at photographs from different parts of the day, from getting ready and the ceremony through to the reception and evening.
It is also worth looking at family and group photographs where several people are being photographed together.
Seeing full galleries gives you a much better idea of how consistent a photographer is across an entire wedding rather than only seeing the photographs they have chosen for their website or social media.
Pay attention to how they talk about representation and inclusion
The way a photographer talks about diversity can tell you quite a lot about their approach.
Have a look through their website, portfolio and social media. Do you see couples and families from different backgrounds represented in their work? Do they talk about inclusion in a way that feels considered rather than simply using a few general statements?
If this is important to you, do not be afraid to ask questions.
You might want to ask:
Have you photographed interracial couples before?
How do you make sure your editing works for different skin tones?
Do you have experience photographing different cultural traditions or family dynamics?
The photographer should be comfortable answering those questions and able to explain their approach clearly.
Make sure their style matches yours
When choosing a wedding photographer, it is easy to concentrate on how their photographs look, but it is just as important to think about how they actually work.
Some photographers give a lot of direction throughout the day, while others take a more documentary approach. Most will fall somewhere between the two.
Think about what would make the two of you feel comfortable. Do you want plenty of guidance during your couple photos? Would you prefer most of the day to be photographed naturally? How much time do you want to spend on organised photographs?
If your wedding includes different traditions or cultural elements, it is also worth finding someone who is happy to learn how your day will work rather than making assumptions about what will happen.
The photographer's approach should suit the wedding you are actually planning.
LOOKING FOR A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?
Choosing your photographer is about finding someone whose photographs you like, but also somebody you feel comfortable having around you and your families on the wedding day.
I have photographed couples from different backgrounds and cultures, and my approach is the same with every wedding. I want to understand what you have planned, what matters to you and anything I should know before the day.
I photograph weddings in a relaxed, natural way, while giving you guidance when you need it and making sure the people and moments that matter to you are properly documented.
If you are planning your wedding and think my approach might suit the two of you, I would love to hear what you have planned.
