S4E8: Wedding Photography, Inclusivity, and Unique Perspectives | Entrepreneur
Excluding LGBTQ+ Couples - or any Couples - Shouldn't be a Thing
In 2020, one of the major global wedding expos neglected to showcase LGBTQ+ or diverse couples in their styled shoots, according to this week's guest, who was attending for the first (and last) time.
Not only that, but the list of presentations didn't include anything about inclusivity or using inclusive language.
I'll be honest... My mind was totally blown when Chris Ferenzi Photography shared this information with me.
A photographer that I very much admire, who also works with many LGBTQ+ couples, I knew I needed to bring him on the show to share this experience.
YOUR BUSINESS
How long have you been in business?
15 years; 11 years part-time, 4 years full-time
What areas do you serve?
Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland.
Why did you decide to start your own business?
1. Photos as kids; dad had DSLR, always around photos.
2. Nikon Coolpix 990 (digital) in high school (the lens rotated independently of the body!)
3 . College for engineering since I was into nerdy things, like building computers and spaceships.
4. Realized I wanted to do photos for fun still
5. Joined school newspaper as a photographer.
6. Met a local newspaper/wedding photographer (Doug Benedict) who came to speak to our group at college.
7. Ended up connecting with him and getting an unpaid internship at the regional newspaper he worked at (The Morning Call, Allentown, PA) over the summer (interesting because I was doing a paid engineering internship from 7am - 3pm each day, but I was more looking forward to going to my UNPAID photo internship from 4pm to 10pm).
8. Helped Doug shoot some weddings, shot my first two weddings alone (cousin and family friend) for an obscenely low rate (totally undercutting the market with my amazing talent and cheap rates)
9. Graduated, moved from NJ / PA to VA, to put my degree to use at Lockheed Martin, laid off due to Great Recession in 2008.
10. Didn't take that as a sign to do photography full time but got another engineering job.
11. Took a few more jobs and contracts before I decided to go full time (8 years).
12. Still, wasn't sure about doing photography full time, but when my contract ended in 2016, and I applied for a new job where I'd be making more than my previous one), I felt dread for the new job, so rescinded acceptance and do photo.
14. Figured I'd maybe break-even year one, but I did a lot better than I thought.
15. 2017-19 big growth, started to work on transitioning from 25% weddings to 75% weddings (previous was 25% weddings, 75% corporate)
LGBTQ+ Weddings
LGBT Representation at Photography Conferences
LGBT couples have distinct needs and concerns for their weddings as compared to straight couples.
I recently attended the WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) conference out in Las Vegas. I’ve always been skeptical of these types of conferences, but I ended up learning a LOT and came away with a to-do list as long as a CVS receipt.
However (there’s always a ‘however’), there was virtually no LGBT representation. There were “wedding portrait” shoots throughout the conference and none that I saw were same-sex. Disheartening, yeah? In addition, I searched the entire listing of talks and sessions for the terms “LGBT” and “gay” and there were ZERO results. I assumed that was a mistake. How could they possibly be ignoring such a large percentage of the wedding market? Of all the sessions I attended, only one speaker even showed a gay couple in their presentation).
Where were the LGBT speakers? Where were the sessions focusing on the distinct needs and concerns of LGBT couples as compared to straight couples, because yes, those can differ. And where were the same-sex photo shoots?
You can imagine the feedback I left them in the questionnaire they sent out after the conference ended. I still haven’t heard back…
I don’t just want to call out WPPI for this. I didn’t see any of the major camera companies use LGBT couples for their expo floor shoots either (looking at you Nikon and Canon).
It’s my hope that they will all re-examine their plans for the 2021 conference, because I’d really like to attend again.
All of that’s to proudly say that more than half of the weddings I photograph are for LGBT couples. As a member of the community, it’s important to me that I provide excellent quality work for LGBT couples in DC in a time where random people still yell homophobic comments at gay couples in very progressive cities like Washington DC (yep…this happened during one of my sessions), and where well-known photography conferences ignore LGBT couples altogether.
That’s enough negativity for today. Here are some happy LGBT wedding couples : )
LGBT styled shoots with straight models = BAD.
FUN BUSINESS INFO
Do you have a favorite story to share?
Forgot batteries (now I have checklists / Checklist Manifesto book)
What challenges have you had to overcome?
-self-doubt
-transition from former career (when to do it? should I do it? Money?)
I want to stop using the word "shoot" and start using "photographing" for obvious reasons.
What advice could you offer to someone starting a business like yours?
Styled shoots are fine, but avoid styled shoots that are a completely different style than the work you want to do.
I did a super fancy shoot when I started, but the super over-the-top glam look does not fit my style, and I really couldn't use them for my portfolio.
What's the craziest thing you've seen happen at a wedding or large event?
Drunk people literally grab me and pull me over to their group saying, "TAKE OUR PICTUREEEEEEE." Calm down fool and don't touch me.
Any funny stories to share?!
Older women hitting on me. Hello, I'm gayyyyyyyyy.
Are there any challenges or obstacles that you've had to overcome?
Sticking to a consistent schedule when I'm not shooting.
Stay up-to-date with Chris Ferenzi Photography!
Instagram Handle @chrisdelta
Website: chrisferenzi.com
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