I’ve been thinking about writing this blog post for a while now, and today, on the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,  it seemed appropriate. Today, I want to get a little more personal with you, internet…

Today, I want to talk to you about the importance of the representation of minorities in my portfolio and a few things I believe about love.

If you’ve been to my website lately, you may have seen a few recent changes. If you scroll through my galleries, pages, and banner images, I hope you notice a bit of a difference than how my portfolio was before. That’s because I’ve gone through and made it a point to include diversity within my galleries. What do I mean by that? I mean, I’ve made it a point to show of gorgeous images of all of my clients and to make sure my online portfolio represents my heart. You’ll now find representation of minorities and same-sex couples throughout my website. Why? Because representation is important.

One more time, so you REALLY get it, representation is important.

You may think to yourself, “Why would it matter if a wedding photographer displays a racially and culturally diverse portfolio?”

And, I’ll tell you… Because I cannot tell you the amount of times I have had someone contact me and ask something along these lines… “Do you shoot African American clients? Because my family has darker skin, and we need a photographer who can adjust to us!” or “Are you LGTBQ or same-sex couple friendly? We are looking for a photographer who accepts us and our love!”

I’m embarrassed to say I’ve gotten these type of comments before now, because it had not even crossed my mind that I wasn’t representing a diverse portfolio. In my privilege, I had forgotten to show ALL of my clients off; I had forgotten to show off what is at the heart of my brand… I was choosing portfolio images based on if I liked the colors in them or if they represented my brand and style instead of choosing images based on attracting a diverse group of clients.

As Carly Romeo of Carly Romeo & Co. says on her website, “It should go without saying (but sadly doesn’t) that we joyfully celebrate partnerships of any and all genders, and we love documenting ceremonies, elopements, and other love parties inspired by all backgrounds, religious traditions (or lack/combination thereof), countries, and cultures.”

I believe in the same thing (that’s why I had to directly quote her site, because I couldn’t think of a better way to say it!!) I desperately want to celebrate every type of person and love this world has to offer, but my website, social media, and portfolio previously did not reflect that. Now, I’m so happy to say that my website and social media are the exact opposite of that. My website now accurately represents that I am a photographer with a heart for all people, every couple, every type of love.

My brand is about celebrating love and capturing your happiest moments with my camera. I believe in capturing all types of people, love, places… SO you won’t see just one type of image on my website, you will see everything the world sees. From the happiest pair of gay men on their wedding day to the tears of a grandmother as she hugs the bride, I want to photograph the incredible people of this world, no matter what their skin color, nationality, race, religion, or sexual orientation is.

I’m a photographer of people and love; simple as that.

SO, just to be clear…. Jessica Hunt Photography serves same-sex, LGTBQ, and heterosexual couples. Every type of love is beautiful and meaningful, and I believe that each love story deserves beautiful images. That is why I’m proud to be one of the few same sex wedding photographer in Columbia South Carolina!  I joyfully celebrate partnerships of any and all genders.
Everyone is welcome here, come as you are and let’s make something beautiful!