Meet the Photographer: Steph from Kiss Photo
- Steff & Ells
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Good Times, Wild Hearts and Epic Memories
Welcome back to the Rebel Love blog! Today, we're sitting down with Steph, the lens (and heart) behind Kiss Photo. Steph's approach to wedding photography is refreshingly honest: keep the traditions you love, ditch the ones you don't, and create a day that's wholly yours.
We caught up with Steph to chat about building an inclusive business from day one, why she cries at every speech, and what she's doing to make sure LGBTQ+ couples feel like Kiss Photo is a place they belong.
Tell us a bit about Kiss Photo. What do you offer, and what makes your approach unique in the wedding world?
Kiss Photo is for to-be-weds who aren't afraid to do things differently. Whether you're planning an intimate registry office ceremony, a pub reception full of your favourite people, or a weekend-long celebration, Steph is there to capture the real moments that make your day yours.
"My photography is relaxed, honest and full of feeling. I'm not interested in creating a Pinterest-perfect version of your wedding; I want you to look back at your photos years from now and remember exactly how it felt. The laughter, the tears, the hugs, the dance floor chaos and all the little moments in between."
For Steph, the experience matters just as much as the photographs, from helping lovers feel completely at ease on the day to delivering their images in thoughtfully curated keepsake boxes. Good times, wild hearts, epic memories: that's what Kiss Photo is all about.
Your commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity is so central to what you do. What inspired that focus?
For Steph, LGBTQ+ inclusivity isn't something she's added to her business, it's part of the values Kiss Photo was built on.
"I believe everyone deserves to celebrate their love in a way that feels true to who they are, without feeling like they have to fit into someone else's idea of what a wedding should look like. I've always been drawn to weddings that break traditions and celebrate individuality, so creating a space where every couple feels genuinely welcome, respected and celebrated just felt like the natural way to build my business."
At the end of the day, it's never been about photographing a particular type of wedding, it's about photographing people, their stories and the love they share.
How do you practically ensure that experience feels welcoming and affirming for your to-be-weds?
It starts long before the wedding day. From her website and enquiry forms to every conversation she has, Steph uses inclusive language and never makes assumptions about names, pronouns, gender roles or traditions.
"My approach is centred around getting to know you as people first. I encourage every couple/to-be-wed to keep the traditions they love, ditch the ones they don't, and create a day that feels true to them."
Her enquiry forms allow to-be-weds to share their names and pronouns rather than making assumptions, and she regularly reviews her website, forms and client experience to make sure they're as inclusive and welcoming as possible.
Is there a specific moment from a wedding that has really stayed with you?
Steph is refreshingly honest here: she hasn't yet had the privilege of photographing an LGBTQ+ wedding, but she's never seen inclusivity as something that has to wait for experience.
"It's been a core value of my business from day one. Every decision I've made, from the language on my website to becoming a member of the Safe Space Alliance, has been about creating a space where every couple feels genuinely welcome, celebrated and able to be themselves. I'm incredibly excited to work with more LGBTQ+ couples in the future and to tell their stories with the same care, thoughtfulness and authenticity that I bring to every wedding."
We love the vibe of your marketing! How do you approach representation in your imagery?
"For me, representation isn't about ticking a box, it's about making sure people can see themselves reflected in my business. I want every couple who visits my website or social media to feel like Kiss Photo is a place where they belong."
As her portfolio grows, Steph is committed to showcasing a diverse range of couples/lovers, celebrations and love stories. She's also attending a workshop later this year focused on photographing LGBTQ+ couples, because she believes it's important to keep learning and to ensure the imagery she creates is as authentic, respectful and representative as possible.
What sets you apart as an inclusive supplier, and how do you want couples to feel when they work with you?
"What sets Kiss Photo apart is that inclusivity isn't a separate part of my business, it's woven into everything I do. My philosophy has always been simple: your wedding should feel like you."
Steph doesn't believe anyone should feel like they have to fit a particular mould to have a "real" wedding. More than anything, she hopes couples leave feeling like they were never just another booking.
"I want them to feel supported, understood and completely comfortable being themselves, so they can focus on what really matters: celebrating with the people they love."
You've built your business around these values from the start - what challenges have you faced regarding inclusivity?
"One of the biggest challenges has been recognising that, while my values have always been inclusive, I haven't yet had the opportunity to photograph an LGBTQ+ wedding. Rather than seeing that as a reason to wait, I've chosen to be proactive."
Steph has reviewed her website, client journey and language to make sure they're genuinely inclusive, become a member of the Safe Space Alliance, and is attending a workshop later this year to keep learning. As she puts it, the wedding industry has traditionally centred heterosexual couples and certain wedding "norms," and she believes it's important for suppliers to challenge those assumptions.
If you could give one piece of advice to other suppliers wanting to be more inclusive, what would it be?
"Don't think of inclusivity as something you add to your business, build your business around it. It's about more than changing a few words on your website or adding a rainbow logo during Pride Month. It's about creating an experience where every couple feels seen, respected and able to be themselves from the very first enquiry."
None of us will ever know everything, and that's okay, Steph says. What matters is being willing to learn, adapt and create a space where people know they truly belong.
What is your absolute favourite part of the wedding day?
Steph struggles to pick just one. She loves the nervous, excited energy of getting ready before the ceremony, the pure joy of the confetti walk, and the speeches that have the whole room laughing one minute and reaching for tissues the next, herself included.
"One of my favourite parts is taking the couple away for a few quiet minutes after the ceremony. It's often the first chance they've had to pause, take it all in and simply be together."
And then, of course, there's the dance floor: "Seeing everyone let loose, forget about the cameras and celebrate with the people they love is the perfect way to end the day."
Finally, tell us a fun fact about you that people might not expect!
"People are often surprised to hear that I usually end up crying during the speeches! If a heartfelt story or a proud parent gets emotional, there's a good chance I'll be discreetly wiping away a tear behind my camera."
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