The creative team behind this shoot wanted to do more than make something beautiful. They set out to make something that felt real. Real couple, real joy, real queerness, real community. No tokenism, no rainbow-for-the-sake-of-it. Just people celebrating love in a way that felt personal, visible, and unfiltered.

The idea came from wedding planner Tabria, who is both Black and queer. She wanted to centre a couple who shared that lived experience, and to approach Pride not as a trend but as a moment of meaning. “We wanted to celebrate pride month and our BIPOC community so we prioritised a queer couple of colour,” she explained. “It was important to us to showcase real queer love.”

Subtle rainbow cues showed up throughout, but this wasn’t a shoot built around props or Pinterest boards. Instead, the energy came from the people involved, especially the couple. “They are not models, they just have epic chemistry and really love each other,” said photographer, Taryn. That spark brought a sense of intimacy to the images that styled shoots often lack. It’s clear this wasn’t forced. They weren’t playing dress-up. They were just being themselves, together, on camera.

A highlight was the entertainment: live drag performances from queens who sang and played piano. “They offered endless entertainment. It was so much fun working with them and I’m excited to share a shoot that includes their fun energy,” Taryn explained. It, again, wasn’t a gimmick or a punchline – it was a reflection of queer celebration as it actually exists.

For wedding vendors looking to support LGBTQ+ couples, Taryn offers this advice. “There’s no magic phrase or emoji that will convey your allyship. You have to SHOW them. Literally show them.” That means sharing images of real queer couples, using inclusive language, and being intentional with every interaction. “When a queer couple lands on your site, will they be able to imagine you are talking to them too? It’s really about making sure everyone feels safe and seen when they come across your content.”

For couples, her biggest tip is to connect with your vendors on a personal level. “Skill is a given, but personality should be just as important. If you feel at ease around your vendors, particularly your photographer, you will get the best images that feel like you.”