One of the best things about being a photographer is that you never know what comes next. At one point, you capture the magical love between two souls; at the next, someone is looking to commemorate an important milestone with a portrait session. Not that I mind it; on the contrary, it always keeps me on my feet! But nothing could’ve prepared me for this LGBTQ editorial in London, pushing the boundaries for gender equality.
There’s one thing about London – you either fall in love with it at first glance, or it completely throws you off. Naturally, I proudly belong to the former group, and this LGBTQ editorial made me love it even more. In short, equality and acceptance were at the forefront of this session with this session with married couple Jay & Sam. How did we do it? With the power of big beautiful dresses from Millia London. Of course, we got a lot of eyes on us as we shot, and a few people were not really open to the idea, considering we had some nasty comments thrown at us. Did it matter? Absolutely not! It made the experience ten times more magical and way more powerful than I could’ve ever imagined!
You are probably aware that fashion has always been a way to push for social change, and our London photoshoot really showed that. We wanted to challenge the norms by showcasing men in dresses and breaking outdated ideas about gender and sexuality. So, the photos from our shoot not only celebrated the models’ beauty but also spread a message of acceptance and love. The men’s dresses from Millia London were perfect for showing the power of love and the magic it creates! Who says colorful gowns should only be worn by women? Jay & Sam proved that this is just another barrier that can be overcome!
I was really going for an editorial vibe in this LGBTQ+ editorial! I wanted the pictures to be more than just visually stunning – I wanted them to have deeper meanings. Each photo was carefully crafted to tell a story of bravery, love, and defying societal norms. And the real, genuine connection between the models was the main focus, bringing such an authentic and powerful feeling to the whole project. Every little detail was totally unique, making the entire London photoshoot an experience you just can’t forget!
One of the things I love most about London is its glorious spots that make a perfect setting for authentic photo sessions. We chose several breathtaking locations for this editorial to make the photographs spectacular.
We chose Hyde Park as one of our locations for the fashion editorial in London due to its amazing green space. This was the perfect spot to embrace freedom and portray the beauty of love. The models’ colorful dresses matched the surroundings seamlessly. We wanted to make a strong statement about breaking away from traditional gender expectations, and Hyde Park provided us with the scenery we needed.
As we strolled through the park, we got all kinds of reactions from people. Some people cheered us on, which was really nice and showed how far we have come in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. But then others shouted mean things and showed hostility, which just made it clear that there is still a lot of prejudice out there. This was actually a sign that showed us why it is still important for us to keep pushing for the freedom for everyone to be themselves without fear.
Kensington was another perfect location for this LGBTQ editorial! The elegant and historic vibe made the whole thing so meaningful. The fancy buildings and classy atmosphere gloriously stood out against the edgy gowns our models were rocking. As they walked along the streets, the men’s dresses flowed so gracefully, showing a blend of elegance and rebellion. These were the necessary elements to make this photo session as powerful as we envisioned it to be!
We also had varied reactions and impressions around these areas. However, that did not stop us from creating something so unique and significant. The models played in front of the camera, embracing the freedom they felt due to their looks. This was a moment where fashion played a huge role in the confidence and security everyone deserves to have!
One location that ended up in our photo journey was the iconic EL&N Café, which is famous for its lively atmosphere and super Instagrammable look. I knew this was a location I wanted before traveling to London. The café’s colorful and vibrant interiors set the perfect scene to capture the fun and celebratory vibe of our fashion editorial in London. Moreover, the models’ dresses popped against the backdrop of floral walls and neon signs, showing off their unique style and individuality. The highlight of the cafe though, was the outside! I was so drawn to the heart floral arrangements on the building and the juxtaposition it gave to the other buildings around it that were more neutral.
The vibe at EL&N was very mixed. Customers and employees were all into the models, and their fashion choices got everyone talking about style, individuality, and embracing uniqueness and authenticity. Others did give some concerning looks, again – an experience I wasn’t prepared for. Overall, It was the ideal way to wrap up our day, capturing exactly what we were hoping for. In other words, the scenery allowed us to obtain the effect we strived for initially! Making a statement, and catching eyes.
This project was nothing like the ones I am used to doing! It involved a lot of bold elements and unique details that made the editorial one-of-a-kind! Moreover, it included a powerful message that needed to be transmitted in the right way!
In short, this LGBTQ editorial was about much more than just fashion. It was all about exploring identity, love, and resilience. The reactions we received really showed how society is, and for me, that was an unparalleled experience! It was a good reminder that even though we have made progress, there is still a long way to go in the fight for real equality and acceptance.
With this creative photo journey, we want to encourage people to accept who they are, question what is considered normal, and honor love in every way and shape it comes. It might take a while for everyone to be accepted, but every step brings us closer to a world where everyone can be proud of who they are!
For more inspirational photoshoots, please check out my other blogs.
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