How to Find a LGBTQ+ Inclusive Family Photographer
Finding a family photographer is already a big decision. You are trusting someone with your memories, your kids, your connection, and your real life. When you are specifically looking for an LGBTQ+ inclusive photographer in San Francisco, that decision matters even more. You deserve to feel fully seen and definitely not made to feel like an exception.
The first place to start is always the website. This is where you can usually tell right away if a photographer is truly inclusive or just saying the right words. Look at their homepage. Do you actually see diverse families or do you just see the same type of couple repeated over and over. If a photographer works with LGBTQ+ families, you should not have to hunt for proof. Representation should be right there, front and center. Some photographers make it a point to add a tagline like “all families welcome here”, or something similar. On my own site, I feature LGBTQ+ families on my front page and throughout my blog and galleries because that representation matters.
Next, really look at the poses. This is a big one that people often overlook. Traditional male and female, two parent posing is deeply ingrained in a lot of family photography. An LGBTQ+ inclusive photographer in San Francisco should not rely on those old formulas. The way couples are posed should reflect real connection and real relationship dynamics, not outdated roles. Your photos should feel like you, not like you were fit into a pre-made box.
Language is another huge clue. Pay attention to how the photographer talks about families on their website, in their blog posts, and even in their emails. Are they constantly using “mom and dad” or are they using more open language like parents, partners, or grownups. An experienced LGBTQ+ inclusive photographer will use inclusive language naturally. It should feel easy, not forced or performative. Honestly, even writing this blog feels a little weird to me, because the only thing I truly worry about when I walk into a LGBTQ+ session is who goes by ‘mom’ or ‘mommy’ and to make sure I get those right! Using inclusive language and focusing on the actual people in front of me and their vibes is always the most important thing to me, no matter the family.
Blogs are also incredibly telling. Anyone can add a statement that says they are inclusive. What matters is what their blog actually shows over time. Do they consistently share sessions with different types of families? Do they normalize same sex couples and nontraditional family dynamics instead of treating them like a one-off? On my blog, LGBTQ+ families show up the same way every other family does, woven naturally into everyday storytelling.
Reviews can help too. Look for words like comfortable, safe, seen, respected, or easy. These are strong signs that a photographer creates a space where people can relax and be themselves. That comfort shows in the final images every single time.
Being in San Francisco also matters. This city is full of diverse families, and your photographer should reflect that reality. When you search for an LGBTQ+ inclusive photographer in San Francisco, you should feel like you belong, not like you are asking for something unusual. Social media can be a clue as well. If they do share things beyond photography, are they sharing things that align with your beliefs or do you cringe when you see their stories? I know that I personally breathe a sigh of relief when the businesses I use post things that affirm my values.
At the end of the day, finding the right LGBTQ+ inclusive photographer is about more than a label. It is about choosing someone who shows families like yours openly, speaks in a way that feels right, and creates images that reflect your real connection. San Francisco families deserve photos that feel like home. Exactly as they are.
