It's 2026 when I’m writing this…and yet there are still photographers who refuse to photograph certain types of weddings. Let's throw those old ideals around what marriage is “supposed” to look like out the damn window, please. Over the last 10 years of photographing weddings, I have been fortunate enough to work with the literal best people on the planet. Some are gay, some are lesbian, some are trans, some are non-binary, some are straight. And some of them just don't fit neatly into any label whatsoever. But the one thing that they all had in common? They were marrying the love of their life.

One conversation has stuck with me over the years. We were wrapping up a session, and this couple mentioned that they found my website after searching through 15 or more photographers because I was one of the first people to openly say LGBTQIA+ couples were welcome.

I stopped dead in my tracks, jaw on the floor. Because what the hell do you mean you looked at 14 other photographers and didn’t see anything welcoming to you and your partner?

Now, I'm going to say something that probably won't make everyone happy, but I'm okay with that. If you will not celebrate all kinds of love, kindly get the fuck out of the wedding industry.

If you can't genuinely celebrate every couple standing in front of your camera, then I think you've missed the entire point of weddings. Love deserves to be celebrated. Every single time. I am proud as hell that couples have told me they felt welcome, safe, and knew they belonged before even hitting the contact button.

The Experience

Being a wedding photographer is not something that I take lightly. I understand that I am being invited into one of the most emotional, vulnerable, and joyful days of someone's life. So, let me explain to you what it's like when you’re working with me.

It all starts with a simple consultation chat. Before we talk about family photos or your wedding timeline, I want to learn about you and your partner. I want to know the story of how you met and how you got engaged. If there are poses that make you feel amazing, tell me.

If there are poses you've always hated, tell me. If you feel more comfortable presenting masculine, feminine, somewhere in between, or neither, tell me. If there are names, pronouns, family dynamics, accessibility needs, or anything else that's important to you, let's talk about it. I need you to know that I'm not here to fit you into my idea of what a couple should look like. I’m here to photograph your day as it unfolds and photograph you and your partner as you are. In the ways that feel most comfortable and natural to you.

One of my biggest goals as a photographer is not just to photograph the love between you and your partner. It is to make sure you feel safe and comfortable enough to be yourselves. I know that at that moment, your confidence will shine through, and your true personality will come out. It's my favorite part about this thing I get to call a job. Showing you the you that you need to see.

One of my favorite reviews came from a couple I photographed a few years ago…"Besides the business and professional stuff, Katy is by far one of the most kind-hearted people you could ever meet. She is very inclusive and passionate about helping others, especially those from underrepresented populations... If you're looking for one of the best photographers in the Metro Detroit area, I recommend that you go with Meininger Media."

Representation Matters

Marriage does not just happen between a cis-het couple. (If that's your thought process, kindly close out of this blog and do not inquire with me, ok, thanks.) Anyway, when I was a kid, I remember seeing Mia Hamm play soccer, and I thought, dang, if she can do it at a high level, so can I. Now, I did not become a professional soccer player, but I never forgot what it felt like to see someone like me succeeding at something I loved. It's just an example of how seeing someone like you can make you feel seen. I

t’s my goal to create a welcoming, safe, respectful environment for everyone. You deserve to be celebrated. With me, I really hope you feel that way.