Behind the Scenes
A Styled Shoot + Queer Representation in the Wedding Industry
Goosebumps prickle everybody’s arms not only because it’s 10 degrees celsius, but also because of the sweetness overload in front of everyone’s eyes. Two women in love, wrapped in each others’ arms to make for the perfect, teary eye wedding shoot on a cool, autumn day in Hamburg, Germany.
Pedestrians stroll by, gazing at the happy couple dressed up fully in long white wedding dresses, their hair and make up done and with a whole entourage of wedding vendors. They wonder one thing: “what’s going on? A wedding next to the old silo?!”
Not exactly.
What is a Styled Shoot?
It may not be a “real” wedding, but it can certainly pass as one. This is a Styled Shoot, which, in this case, is a mock wedding created solely to host a photoshoot, promote vendors, allow professionals to refine their craft, experiment new ideas and styles, and of course, have fun.
In this case, I, a Hamburg based film and digital wedding photographer, had the idea for this shoot and pieced it all together. The initial idea surfaced from a crucial observation in the wedding space:
Where are all the queer couples?
As someone in a queer relationship myself, I found that wedding Instagram content centers mainly on straight couples, questionnaires didn’t include queer friendly terminology, or bridal stores asking who’s the bride and failing to anticipate potential same-sex couples with two brides, grooms or partners.
Overall, the industry was neglecting a demographic particularly close to home.
One thing I always live by is this:
Don't wait for a seat at the table, build your own. Don’t wait for others to do it for you.
I was looking for a reflection that wasn't there, so I painted the picture myself.
Queer couples get married, they need to hire vendors, and they are fabulous, stunning, and awe-inspiring representations of love and they deserve representation in wedding media and the industry. That’s why I created this styled wedding shoot.
From Idea to Reality
Once the idea was born, I started making calls, connecting with fellow wedding vendors in Hamburg and reaching out to find a real life queer couple to star in our shoot. Through the bridesmaid of one of my 2025 brides, I got in touch with Thu (she/her) and Marlene (she/her). Despite their natural chemistry in front of the camera, they’re not actually engaged (yet ;-)). But the way they showed affection towards each other was the exact energy I was looking for in a couple for the shoot.
Thu and Marlene would tell us first hand that it wasn’t an instant connection though.
“The story began online, but it stalled for a long time because I (Thu) didn't dare to take the next step. Two years later, we met again by chance on a bus – I was coming from work, and Marlene from selling things at a flea market. I texted Marlene afterwards and finally arranged to meet, and that's how our love story began.”
And the rest is historyI believe we all can see the sparkle in their eyes and the love in their smiles behind each photo captured during this shoot.
Once the main component, the couple, was established, the gears started turning. But what else does one need for a styled shoot? Think rings, dresses, bouquets, a cake, the whole enchilada. I’m so happy I got to connect with and bring on board these awesome wedding vendors:
Who Were the Vendors?
Dear Bride, our Hamburg-based fave bridal store lent us some gorgeous dresses (funny enough, the store is around the corner from the street I grew up in)
Joovels, jeweller from Hamburg for engagement rings and wedding bands
Aliya (Strahlende Braut), hair and make-up artist based in Hamburg
Peggy, with whom we created these modern takes on wedding bouquets
Nini (Avec Amour), a content creator who came all the way from Berlin for this shoot
Izzy Olsen, fellow queer vendor and musician
and myself, Hamburg-based film + digital wedding photographer
The date was set and we planned to shoot in several locations on October 19th, a spectacular fall day in Hamburg, Germany. We met up at my place and three hours of prepping, getting ready and adding the final touches to the bouquets later, we were off to location number one.
And so, we arrived at our “fake” wedding venue in the south of Hamburg. I had this location saved for probably two years already after seeing it in a magazine. Its looks are industrial and raw, red bricks, tall windows and it reminded me of New York City’s charme. Finally I got to shoot there.
We parked our cars, unloaded equipment, camera and models ready, everyone in place and pictures started rolling. Marlene and Thu were naturals and they warmed up (physically and mentally lol), as we continued taking pictures, shouting for kisses, dancing, and hand holds.
We then walked up the street to location #2 which I had mentally noted for later due to its spectacular blue door and rustic brick walls. The building which houses offices I believe, looked like an old barn straight out of a movie.
The weather was still holding up, blue skies and all, and I knew it was time to pop the champagne. This was probably my favorite moment, as I hand embroidered the ribbons on those vintage champagne bowls which I found at a flea market in Hamburg.
Fun fact about this series:
As the afternoon was setting in, bringing in a gorgeous sunset with breathtaking lighting, that also meant temperatures were falling quickly.
Thu and Marlene, absolute troupers, put on jackets in between shooting moments, danced through the cold and swiftly took them off to continue taking photos. Kudos to them smiling through the cold as they showed off Dear Bride’s amazing wedding dresses.
When the sunset lighting was at its most golden point, we moved to our last spot and I had to rally all the cold bodies and brides up the street just one more time to get cake shots, their first dance, and bouquet details shots.
Speaking of cake: I didn’t tell you yet that I couldn't find a pastry chef in time and instead, baked my first wedding cake. Any pastry chef looking at this will probably shake their head, but not having a cake wasn’t an option here :-D .
After all of us indulged in cake and champagne, Izzy Olsen, our acoustic indie musician, started striking up “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran and Marlene and Thu were dancing like a hopelessly in love duo.
Honestly, this is probably the best part of being a wedding photographer: when everybody’s in their element, fully present and I simply get to document the magic unfolding.
Finally, the sun had set. Time was up. Cake was eaten, the champagne bottle was finished, and everyone’s hands were frozen, including mine. I was already dreaming of how I wanted the edit to look. My head was swirling with ideas and I was endlessly thankful that everyone not only endured the Hamburg cold, but clearly put in hard work, enthusiasm and made the day such fun.
Moreover, I was particularly keen to publish these photos because of what they meant to me, my queer peers, my queer clients, and fellow members of the rainbow community.
When my queer clients see my photos, I want them to see themselves. I want them to know they have a safe space to be themselves.
This styled shoot came together thanks to these awesome (Hamburg based) wedding vendors.
Connect with them here:
Dear Bride @dearbride.de
Joovels @joovelshamburg_trauringe
Strahlende Braut @strahlende_braut
Peggy @powerflowerpeg
Avec Amour @avec.amour.nini
Izzy Olsen @izzyolsenmusic
Island of Dreams Photography @islandofdreams.weddings
Quick Take: How to Find LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Wedding Vendors
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Find vendors who display on their social media, website, etc., their pronouns and a brief phrase stating, “queer inclusive” or “LGBTQIA+ supportive vendor.”
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Look for photos of diverse clients in a potential vendor’s portfolio, socials or website. If they worked with queer clients before, they are most likely showcasing their work. If they are allies, you should be able to find either rainbow or pride flag emojis or a written statement somewhere along those pages.
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As you’re filling out questionnaires, surveys, or other forms, notice if they include queer friendly terminology. (E.g. pronouns, bride and bride, groom and groom, partner one, partner two, etc).
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If you’re in communication with a potential vendor, ask them directly whether they’ve ever worked with queer couples before. Their answer should give you a hint about how welcoming they are of LGBTQIA+ couples.
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If reviews are available, check to see if they have any positive or negative reviews regarding inclusivity.