Portrait“Yes, I do” (2/6). Worried about the rise of the conservative movement in her country, the 39-year-old American mainly photographs same-sex marriages in order to celebrate “joyful, free and open love”.
The clients of Lindsay Ladd, a wedding photographer in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), almost all belong to the LGBT+ community. It’s his choice. This American of 39 years meets the requirements of the newlyweds as a professional, but also as a member of the homosexual community.
Since the Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision of June 26, 2015, same-sex marriage has been legalized in the United States, causing an increase in LGBT + marriages throughout the country. In Philadelphia too, where their numbers are growing slowly but steadily each year. This societal progress could be jeopardized since the Supreme Court, in June, revoked the right to abortion at the federal level, and one of its members, Justice Clarence Thomas, announced that he intended ” to correct “ other case law, such as marriage between people of the same sex, the rights to contraception, the right to sexual intimacy… Lindsay Ladd, who could not imagine living this in 2022, feels a “tremendous sadness”.
Wanting to make American society aware of her cause, she takes photos that represent “the celebration of a joyful, free and open love”, she says. It is the relationship of the couple that fascinates her, also the fact of showing that there is no single pattern. But she admits to facing difficulties:
“Although acceptance is more common today, there are still many people in the world who are uncomfortable with the way we show our love. This discomfort can manifest itself in looks, harsh words, negative reactions, even violence. When we flaunt our homosexuality, we risk being ridiculed, marginalized and hurt. This is especially true for trans people. »
In the street or under the porch of a castle
Also Lindsay Ladd, who began her career making artistic photos when she was 20, “covers” each marriage in a different way. She wants it to be unique, personalized and reflect the personality of each couple. Her style reflects a rich palette: reportage or posed portrait, relaxed atmosphere or newlyweds dressed to the nines, sessions in the street or under the porch of a castle… She shows hands entwining, knowing smiles, emotional looks, a close-up of the flowers pinned to the lapel of a suit or a dress, or even the radiant faces of the assembly attending the ceremonies.
The American talks a lot with couples. She advises young wedding photographers to promote exchanges: “Acknowledge your ignorance so the bride and groom can let you know what’s important to them, but add your enthusiasm so they feel comfortable knowing you’re on their side and happy to celebrate them. »
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