An LGBT+ styled shoot with an important message

In June of this year a photographer in Brantford, Ont. made headlines when she refused to photograph an LGBT+ wedding. The backlash on the Internet was overwhelming.

These unfortunate circumstances of a queer couple being rejected for services lead Honey & Lux’s Amberlyn Farrington to do something. “Many industry professionals saw this viral story and started to adjust their websites and social media bios to state that they were, in fact, inclusive,” says Amber.

Amber, a queer photographer, noticed that many of these photographers were also expressing that they had not had the opportunity to work with 2SLGBTQIA+ couples, and some were using language and terminology that might actually still paint them as discriminatory. Amber explains, “This styled shoot was planned to provide photographers an opportunity to get beautiful portfolio content of a real couple. Additionally, an educational component was added so that photographers could invest in the work of learning how to avoid unintentionally excluding this clientele. Instead, attendees engaged in conversation facilitated by two queer educators (Taylor Berzins and Lauren Burrows), to learn how to cultivate space for queer love in their business structure and practices, and spread that education so that we can make effective change in this industry.”

Styling:  The shoot was styled collaboratively by Confetti and Co and Honey and Lux, and took place on a flower farm “where flowers are grown from seed, cut and designed by the farmers themselves,” says Amber. “Warm tones paired well with the beautiful dahlia fields. A freshly-baked pie table with Niagara peaches and grapes from local farm stands connected us back to an organic, colourful, and sweet vibe. The dreamy evening light and delicate details like letterpressing on handmade paper, a lace dress, and golden tableware brought a polished balance to the grit of the farm.”

Host/photographer: Amberlyn Farrington, Honey & Lux Photography
Planning/coordination: Kendra Coons, Confetti and Co
Venue & florals: Feeder Flower Farm
Makeup: Victoria Rendon Beauty
Hair: Lindsay Chambers
Wardrobe rental: The Fitzroy
Dress: For Love and Lemons
Suit: Hebe Studio
Stationery: Red Bicycle Paper Co.
Handmade paper: Hubbub Paper Co.
Tablescape: W Events and Decor
Harvest table & chair rental: Fresh Look Design Inc.
Desserts: The Pie Plate
Couple: Holly Czychun, Allison Gillard