There are no medals.
WARNING: THIS POST IS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND MAY MAKE YOUR FEEL DEFENSIVE!
The last few weeks I found myself in a few different photography communities on facebook and being in those spaces reminded me just how much I dislike being in those spaces. Not because of the beautiful imagery being shared or even the kind hearted goodness that goes on, but simply because it is very evident that a lot of photographers use the bodies of their clients as clout or to make themselves “look” good. This isn’t to say “Don’t share work!” Instead, it is to say, be cautious about why you are sharing it and the words you choose to accompany it.
Here’s what I mean:
YOU ARE NOT PLAYING A GAME OF MARGINALIZED BODY BINGO
Whenever people post images of bodies that are outside of the stereotypical bodies we see featured in the photography industry, they tend to use phrases like:
”Look at this brave plus size beauty!”
”I photographed my first trans client!”
”This stunning human is 50!! Doesn’t she look incredible?”
”I had this beautiful Black woman with a disability in my studio…”
And right now, you might be thinking:
”These are all compliments, Teri, I don’t see the issue….”
Let me ask you:
Do you point out when you shoot beautiful white women?
How about the braveness of a size 4 client?
Do you share your excitement of featuring these bodies in the public sphere?
Or only behind the closed doors of photography communities?
Why do you think that is?
AND YES, WE WANT TO SEE DIVERSITY!
But you are not a saint for showcasing diverse bodies, particularly when you feel the need to shout it from the rooftop with statements such as the above.
If you are in the business of photographing HUMANS and telling HUMAN stories, then you shouldn’t expect a pat on the back or accolades for doing the bare minimum when you feature marginalized bodies. You may get these things from the public, but you should not be expecting them.
“So, what do I write about instead then?”
Share the stories of your marginalized clients in the same way that you would someone who fits beauty standards. If you wouldn’t say “I just photographed the most glorious size 2, 23 year old, cis white woman with an ‘abled body’” (whatever that means), then don’t use these disclaimers for your marginalized clients.
It’s unnecessary and the least amazing thing about your imagery and your clients’ stories.
“But, what if my clients want to share their age? Their body size? Their race?”
That’s fantastic and a great way for your client to share their experience - NOT YOU.
If a photographer wrote a blog post about me and used the phrase “This fat babe came into the studio and did a killer session” (without asking me), I would be a little thrown off.
Not because of them using the word FAT to describe me, but rather because they felt that they had to talk about my body before they talked about me as a person.
I also know they would not have said “This thin babe came into the studio….”.
Now, if I wrote a testimonial or was asked to write a blog post I would tell you all day, every day about what it’s like to exist in a fat body and have photos taken in this body - but that is my story to tell.
Your images should do enough talking and will make an even bigger impact if you don’t feel the need to address the obvious.
But the thing that irks me the most, is when photographers try to use the excuse
“BUT HOW WILL MY CLIENTS KNOW THAT I SHOOT BODIES LIKE THEIRS????”
1) As mentioned, you probably don’t use the same language OUT of photography communities as you do in it - your clients are not in those photography communities
2) You should have enough imagery of marginalized bodies on your website that there is no freaking question about whether or not their body is welcome in your studio/portfolio
3) Get your clients to tell their own stories on your blog/social/video - word of mouth is the best referral in the world!
So, the next time you go to share your work in any Facebook community, I want you to use this handy little questionnaire before you commence posting:
1) Am I describing their body in my caption?
2) If yes, why?
3) Why do I feel the need to TELL people that I am photographing certain body types when they can see from the photos that I do?
4)What outcome am I desiring by posting these images in the photography community versus posting them for my clients?
5)Is it possible that I am continuing to “other” my marginalized clients with this caption?
6)If this was a non-marginalized body, how would I word it differently?
