Let me be real with y’all. When I first started my business, I was a full blown imposter. I was as a gay wedding photographer and felt terrified to let people know who I truly was. You see, I began photographing weddings in 2011 – four years before the United States Supreme Court ruled, in Obergefell V. Hodges, that state laws banning same-sex marriage were unconstitutional.

Last week, wedding planner and host of the Overcome podcast, Kayce Mae, invited me to join her on the show and discuss what it was like coming out as a gay man working in the wedding industry and how I handled this as a creative.

Since I was young, I always tried to cover up who I was and who I loved. Then I got older.

– Wrabel

On this episode of the podcast, I discuss with Kayce why I love weddings and their importance to me as a gay wedding photographer.

I know firsthand that conversations around marriage can be more difficult for LGBTQ+ couples. What is so special about these celebrations, to me, is that every person who attends a wedding was invited by the couple, or a guest of someone they invited. They were chosen. I believe so strongly in the idea of Chosen Family, that to see a physical gathering of the family and support system a couple has chosen to surround themselves with is an unmatched experience.

I want people to know I love and accept them because I’ve been on the other side of that. I’ve walked in those shoes. If we allow ourselves to only celebrate one narrative, we’re not showing the true scope of what love looks like.

– Ty Wilson

I would love to hear your thoughts, so listen to the podcast and tell me what you think!