Short answer: YES. You can. You should. You deserve to.
Because here’s the thing—your love story isn’t one-size-fits-all. So why does so much wedding photography look that way?
If you’ve ever scrolled through wedding blogs or Pinterest boards and thought, “Where are the bodies that look like mine? The couples like us?” — we feel you. And we want to talk about it.
At Hey Love Studios, we believe representation isn’t optional—it’s essential. Every body. Every identity. Every kind of love deserves to be seen, celebrated, and beautifully documented.
Here’s why inclusive wedding photography matters, and what you should look for when hiring someone to tell your story.
1. Representation Isn’t a Trend—It’s a Right
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about tokenism. This is about making space. About acknowledging that love exists in every form, and photography should reflect that. Period.
You deserve to see:
- Curvy couples being tender and joyful
- Queer couples being celebrated, not hidden
- Neurodiverse, disabled, or gender-diverse folks feeling seen
- Black, Brown, Indigenous, and POC couples in all their cultural richness
- Trans and nonbinary people looking exactly like themselves on their wedding day
Photos matter. They become your legacy. And if they don’t feel true to you, they’re missing the point.
2. Your Photographer Should Affirm Your Identity
This is a big one.
Your photographer shouldn’t just tolerate who you are—they should celebrate you. You want someone who:
- Uses inclusive language
- Doesn’t assume roles or pronouns
- Guides you with compassion and curiosity, not bias
- Knows how to pose different bodies confidently (without weird or awkward energy)
- Understands cultural nuances and intersectional identities
- Makes you feel like you belong in front of the camera
Because if you don’t feel safe, you won’t feel free. And your photos should feel like freedom.
3. Posing and Editing Should Celebrate, Not Conform
We’re not here to “slim your arms” or Photoshop your body into something it’s not. We’re here to capture the way your partner looks at you when you laugh mid-vow. The way your hands intertwine. The joy. The emotion. The realness.
Inclusive photography means:
- No weird or overly posed angles that try to “hide” your body
- Lighting and editing that honor your skin tone and features
- Encouraging movement and presence instead of forced perfection
Because you’re not too much. You’re not too different. You’re not “too anything.” You’re just right.
4. The Industry Needs to Catch Up—But You Don’t Have to Wait
We’re seeing more inclusive vendors rise up (shoutout to y’all doing the work), but there’s still a long way to go.
That’s why who you hire matters.
When you choose a photographer who honors your full humanity, you’re not just investing in photos—you’re investing in being seen. You’re showing your younger self that they’re worthy of love. You’re giving future couples permission to show up fully, too.
That’s powerful.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Be Seen Exactly As You Are
No shrinking. No code-switching. No conforming to fit a mold that was never made for you.
You don’t have to earn your spot in front of the camera—you already belong there. And we’re here to remind you of that, every step of the way.
At Hey Love Studios, we don’t just take photos. We hold space. We hype you up. We document your love with tenderness, joy, and fierce celebration.
Looking for a photographer who gets it? We got you.
