Vendor selection for minorities

Thanks @Future Mrs. Makes sense. Well, for photography, it's light metering, especially where there are contrasts between dress/ suit / skin tone, etc. but really, for a skilled photographer it's not a special skill. It's probably a more special skill for a stylist than it is for a photographer. Of course, also an African American couple may be more hesitant to hire either without proof they have had the experience I speak of. As you've established as well.. Now this is getting more informative. Much appreciated!

@Catti, the only thing I responded to defensively, which was not the smartest idea I will grant you...was that they're sick of white vendors not trying. I'm only trying to figure out how you would like us to try differently. Which some insight has been gained.

Jay would you jump in a same sex post of the same nature spewing the bs you are now? If I was marrying a women yes I would look for a photographer that has had experience with this before. As a black couple, I need someone that understands how to move my hair because it moves differently than someone with blonde hair. I need someone that knows to stop and blot cause the shine is real. I need someone that understands I cannot be shot in the same light or with the same flash. These are things you would understand if you had a greater exposure to POC. You don't have to be black to photographer a black person. I just need to know you get the differences that arise.

^^bottom line

-Advertise in publications geared towards the minority communities in your are.

-Set up booths at events geared towards WOC. There's one in Raleigh, NC (near me) called Women's Empowerment. The turnout is insane year after year. Advertising at those events would bring you an obscene amount of minority clientele.

REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY WHOSE BUSINESS YOU'RE TRYING TO EARN.

Jay you may have a horrible misunderstanding of how the minority community can feel isolated in the wedding industry, but you're not an idiot. Use that brain of yours. Get creative.

@JayFarrell, I would definitely say, as other have mentioned, read all the comments. Several people have posted suggestions about things we'd like to see and wht would make us feel better.

Again, your front page/home page would be better if it showcased your versatility as opposed to the most recent work you've done (ex. Weddings in different seasons, garden vs. indoor, other races besides white women, etc). Having special deals for minorities to expand your portfolio, if you've never worked with them before, etc. It's 100 percent your job to be good at marketing. Not ours, as we are the ones paying for the service. You pay for things based on what they have to offer and how that fits with your needs. If I don't feel like my wants/needs can be met by a particular vendor, why would I contact them?

Fair enough Keisha, of course I'm not a stylist but I understand what you mean. I booked am African American couple for next year, just over the weekend. When that wedding goes live, you can bet it's going in the forefront of my portfolio, as my last one did (and is still in there, just not leading since it's last season and they didn't say anything about not being able to find similar examples (from me anyhow) . I assumed I was doing ok if they found what they're looking for. So, are some of you saying rotating content is helpful maybe?

@Sherez, yes, makes sense. The South Asian couple were hesitant because I wasn't experienced with weddings of their culture, the closest I did was Indian... but looking far and wide, no one within a 500 mile radius was either they could find...so I learned their culture as best I could...and I already had the rest handled. And yup, I used it.

Definitely rotate content, @Jay it shows you are at least trying to take the extra step to make different people feel included

@Jay I just creeped on your FB a little and I see you're in the south. Rotating content would help a lot. Having styled shoots with minority couples would help a lot.

I can tell you that as someone in the south, I skipped right over vendors that had no minority representation or what came across as the one token black couple thrown in there somewhere. And I'm not just talking about photographers. It was hard not knowing if I could reach out to a vendor because I didn't know if they would close the door in my face. I didn't care if a vendor was white, black, or green. Seeing an equal ratio of POC/Non-POC was important to me.

I can do that, thanks for the suggestions! I thought I was doing the right thing by not separating by color or orientation, which I believe I am.....but I can understand how this would be helpful.

Yep no one will know if a photo was taken w years ago or not unless you disclose it. In the end it helps expand your business and POC will come to you. Ultimately we want to know that if we pay for your services you will capture our wedding day or other event just as beautifully as non POC

Thanks La Grosera. Yup, NY native in Nashville. I do have some ethnic wedding experience, and even more same sex wedding experience. Really, doing one is no different from the other on my end, I capture love and emotion, regardless of style of the wedding....but the subjects / couple have to know you're competent. Other photographers cater to a specific style of wedding. No one is a one size fits all. I'm not either. Those who want posed weddings, I'm not for them...but I do want anyone wanting my style and approach to feel like I'm a trusted provider. I was just racking my brain trying to figure out what else would make that easy to find.

@Jay Farrell - HitchedbyMV posted a great article above that you could read, and others have posted some great additional suggestions. Please read them. I've seen that you're a very respected member of this community and I've appreciated reading your insights about various topics - but I really have to cringe at your reference to "reverse racism." POC expressing frustration over lack of representation is not in any way the same as systematic disenfranchisement or discrimination. Talk to us, not about us, and you won't come across as disingenuous or condescending.

Sorry about that. Since my wedding is in Atlanta, GA (US African American Mecca) I am not having this issue. The place that is doing my alterations looks like me and most of the vendors in the area look like me. Most of the videographers I have researched have videos of people that look like me. Just like others have said, it is all about where you are. Some vendors realize how they should market. Puerto Rico has people mixed with black so it shouldn't be difficult although most of the destination weddings they work on may be with other clients. So don't be discouraged. It's probably not posted somewhere

Hi. This is a wonderful thread. I did not even think others were having the same difficulties as me. I have a bridal party needing hair and makeup for a rainbow of ethnicities (white, black, persian, puerto rican). I set up make up trials with two vendors, one of whom told me my darker skinned women would have to use airbrush makeup, as she did not have other makeup options for them. I (the bride) am darker skinned. Luckily I vented my issues to my primary hairstylist, who is coming to the wedding to do my hair, and she found an amazing artist and I am back to being excited. He was on instagram and had wonderful pictures and did a great trial.

I did have to ask my photographer, the wife of a friend, to provide more diverse photos than I saw on her primary website, where she did have a few POC options. She told me to go to Facebook to see more options (and she did only have a few pics on her website) where - BAM - interracial couple nighttime wedding had top billing. I did not care if it was a recent wedding or not. I looked at every picture and it was quality work of someone that looked like me getting married at night like me when the lighting can be...a problem. I booked her the next day.

If you want my business - I could list my credentials, but really, that should not be neccessary - put up pictures of POC on your various platforms. Reach out to natural hair salons. Look for me - I am looking for you.

I am going to check out munaluchi right now. I am so tired of not being inspired by the wedding industry. Thank you OP.

@Lilam, fair enough and thanks! Will look for it. I want to accommodate but was having trouble knowing what the proposed solution was....really either saying you don't have ethnic experience and offer promotions, or in my situation, rotate content, which I can get on board with.

I totally agree with this post. It was so hard even wedding shopping because women of color were not pictured wearing the dresses I liked, and I couldn't find a black man in a tan vest to save my life to show my FH an idea for the guys attire. It's a shame. I used instagram for my MUA because I HAD to, not because I wanted to

@Jay - Just saw the other posts that came in. I'm glad this is something you're actively looking into and reflecting on!

@jay since you seem to be on the enlightened train try reading this. http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_55d60a91e4b07addcb45da97

Hopefully you will avoid using the term reverse racism in the future