Beyond the Blueprint: Why Every LGBTQ+ Photographer Must Do Better
Challenging the Industry Standard as an LGBTQ+ Photographer
For too long, the photography industry has relied on a recycled blueprint for romance. It is a specific set of rules that dictates how love is "supposed" to look on camera. As an LGBTQ+ photographer, I believe we have a responsibility to do better. When we try to fit every couple into a heteronormative template, we stop actually seeing who is in front of our lens.
The Problem with Posing Roles
If you search for LGBTQ+ portraits online, you see a recurring problem. Photographers often try to force queer couples into masculine and feminine roles that do not exist in their real lives. One person is told to be the lead, while the other is directed to be the support. It's a formula that makes people look stiff because they are being asked to inhabit a script that was not written for them. You can see the tension in a photo when a couple is forced into a gendered mold that feels unnatural.
Artful Direction in St. Louis
Meeting Mike and Andrew at the Central Library was about moving away from that standard approach. My goal is to be aware of who is in front of my camera and artfully direct them in a way that is true to who they are. This doesn't mean I am just a silent observer. I still guide the movement. I will tell you where to put your hands or how to tilt your head to catch the light, but those adjustments are made to refine your natural connection, not to force you into a "masculine" or "feminine" trope.
An Editorial Perspective on Connection
The grand stone staircases and vaulted ceilings of the library provided a cinematic frame, but the real work was in the nuances. By focusing on how Mike and Andrew actually interact, I can give direction that feels like an extension of them rather than a list of chores. We avoided the typical awkwardness found in many galleries by focusing on movement and genuine chemistry. The result is a set of images that feel like an intentional film still rather than a staged photoshoot.
The Final Word
We have a responsibility as creators to question the rules we have inherited. If we want people to feel truly seen, we have to stop trying to fit their love into a pre-existing box. This session proves that when you move away from the standard ways of posing, you find something much more interesting.
It is time we all stop operating in default mode and start really seeing the people in front of us. When we rely on a blueprint instead of the individual, we are not just being lazy. We are doing a massive injustice to the art we claim to create. Authentic connection does not need a script; it simply needs a photographer who is present enough to see it.
Emily Fanara is an LGBTQ+ photographer based in St. Louis who specializes in loose editorial direction and intentional storytelling. Grounded in the belief that every connection deserves to be seen without a script, she documents honest, cinematic moments for couples of all identities.
Vendor Credits
Location | Downtown St. Louis Central Library
Photographer | Fanara Photography
Couple | Mike Murphy & Andrew Gaillardetz