Every couple wants to capture special memories before their marriage. That is why they arrange a pre-wedding photoshoot. During this time, they try to express their love story through the photos. You might wonder what happens if a couple chooses a slavery-themed pre-wedding photoshoot. Surprisingly, this happened in Texas. On 21 July 2021, a girl uploaded photos from their pre-wedding shoot.
A slavery-themed photoshoot is any session that recreates scenes related to historical slavery. This type of theme is controversial because it represents a dark and painful period in human history. Millions of people suffered through forced labor, exploitation, and dehumanization. Because of this, such themes are extremely sensitive.
If a couple asks you to create a slavery-themed photoshoot, you must handle the situation carefully as a photographer. This post is here to guide you through that.
The Viral Incident by Pre-Wedding Slavery – Themed Photoshoot
On 21 July 2021, A girl named Tricia from Texas uploaded some photos of their pre-wedding photoshoot. These photos were shot of people posing in a slavery-themed setting. First, they shared this on TikTok, then these gonna viral through Twitter, Reddit, and other social media platforms.
The images depict the man wearing shackles in his hand, and trying to kiss his partner with happiness. There was a sugar plantation in the background. The couple also posted the photos on Instagram with the caption “dated 1842, claims a progression from slavery to the family.” They added hashtags like #Slavery and #Racism.
By choosing this theme, the couple trivialized a very sensitive part of history. Many netizens strongly criticized them for their slavery-themed pre-wedding photoshoot.
Outrage and Controversy of Netizens About Slavery Photography
Most Netizens shared these pre-wedding photoshoot slavery themed settings widely. They shared on social media and other forum sites. started a debate and became a controversial topic. Most of the users of TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram hated this couple for this photoshoot. The strong reactions highlight the smooth balance between historical awareness and ethical considerations.
Discussion: History Of Slavery and American Culture
The history of the slavery system was very dark, but we have to learn about this. If you are going to pre pre-wedding photoshoot, slavery themes settings. You have to know about the history. Otherwise, you might be criticized by the netizens and citizens.
The slavery system was started in America in 1619. 20 people were sold as slaves from Africa to Virginia. This is the seed of this dark humanity system. At this time, they thought slavery was important for labor. Some native Americans and Africans were slaves in the same communities. But often Indians helped the escaped slaves.
The Spanish settlement in Florida makes history complex. Then, there started a revolt against slavery. Understanding this multifaceted history may be hard. But this was a dark history in humanity, it is a must.
Photographer’s Role in Pre-Wedding Photoshoot
The photographer has an important role in pre-wedding photography sessions. This is not just taking pictures like you do at the studio. In pre-wedding photoshoots, the couple wants to save memories of their life.
Sometimes couples are emotional during this period. For this emotional preseason, they can ask to do a photoshoot against the culture or rules. As a photographer, you have to be careful about all those things. You have to respect different cultures and beliefs.
01. Ethical responsibility in photography
Most photographers do not know what ethics are in photography. Ethics in photography means being responsible and respectful while capturing images. Photographers should consider the impact on individuals or communities for their work. If you need to authorize anything in your work, do that. The ethical responsibility also includes ensuring:
- Honesty
- Fairness
- Sensitivity
- Responsibility
- Sociality, etc.
02. Aware of Potential Criticism and Backlash
Photographers should be aware of potential criticism and backlash surrounding their work.
- Do such work so that people give positive feedback.
- Always try to adapt ethical considerations so you can live with a reputation.
- Become a creative photographer so that your clients will be satisfied.
- Respect society and manners. Don’t go against them.
03. Open Communication Between Photographer and Couple
If any couple wants to do a pre-wedding photoshoot in slavery-themed settings, try to discourage them. As this was a viral engagement shoot on social media, they can ask you. This is normal for them, but as a careful photographer, you have to divert their attention.
Never tell them directly that you can’t slavery-themed engagement photoshoot. Try to convince them about the Instagram controversy and Social media backlash. Also, tell them about what may impact their future life.
What to Do If a Couple Wants to Do a Pre-Wedding Photoshoot in Slavery-Themed Settings?
It can bе that a couplе floats in thе strеam of thе viral prе wеdding slavеry thеmеs photoshoot. It is our duty to tacklе this situation smartly as a photographеr. Remember, it is very important to keep in mind the sеnsitivity of historical and cultural issues.
Photographеrs must еducatе thе potеntial impact of thе couplе’s prе wеdding photoshoot slavеry thеmе sеttings. This type of photo can affect pеoplе’s еmotions. So thеy may bе criticizеd by thе nеtizеn’s rеaction on social mеdia. So it is bеttеr to avoid Controvеrsial photoshoots.
Offer Alternatives: Pre-Wedding Photoshoot Ideas
After educating them about the social media backlash of their pre-wedding photos, they can ask for alternative themes. You can ask them for their love story to make a creative pose. Discuss with the couple and try to create a creative photoshoot theme.
When they get a special theme that can express their love story, they must like these. This type of image is not only just a picture, these are the memories of their life. So, as a photographer, if you can provide them with a creative idea, they will remember you forever. This is the success of a photographer.
Sometimes, good creative ideas for pre-wedding photoshoots can’t work for some reason. When you are going to a photoshoot for a couple of their pre-wedding memories.
7 Pre-Wedding Photography Mistakes to Avoid
- Proper Planning and Preparation: If the couple has no plans for their pre-wedding photoshoots, they might be uncomfortable during the session. So, ensure that the photographer and the couple both have a plan about it. This will help to organize the photoshoot event smoothly.
- Choose the Right Location: As a photographer, suggest to the couple which place is best for their wedding photoshoot. Location can depend on the couple’s age, style, attitude, and family culture.
- Wardrobe Coordination With Location: After selecting the location, you have to select the matching dress with the location. Because every outfit does not match with every place. Think about the theme and style you want for the photos.
- Time of Day: You have to pay attention when you are taking photos. Because the whole day can’t allow for shooting perfectly. To get a nice soft light, you have to choose “Golden Hour” for a couple’s pre-wedding photoshoots.
- Incorporate Personal Touches: Try to add some personal elements or props that show the couple’s relationship, sentimental things, or their favorite things.
- Photographer’s Advice: Couples have to listen to the photographer’s advice to shoot perfect photos of their pre-wedding. Professional photographers shoot a lot of photos in a day. So they have better ideas than a couple.
- Pre-Wedding Photoshoots Post-Processing: We all know that photoshoots are not enough to deliver these pictures to couples. Post-processing of a couple’s pre-wedding photos plays an important role. To give their picture a better look, post-processing is a must.
Professional photographers are often busy with photo shoots. So they do not have time to edit the couple’s pre-wedding pictures. Also, a good photographer is not always a good photo editor. Clipping World’s Team is here to Post-Processing your pre-wedding photographs at a reasonable price. Get a Free Trial of the Pre-Wedding Photo Editing Service.
Conclusion | Pre-Wedding Slavery Photoshoot
Thе idеa of “prе-wеdding photoshoot slavеry” thеmе is not okay. This idеa dеsrеspеct thе humanity and history. Also, it avoids thе cultural insеnsitivity. So you havе to throw the slavery-themed photoshoot idеa to thе dustbin. Wе havе alrеady sееn thе social mеdia outragе in July 2021 about this idеa.
Photos arе a strong way to sharе storiеs, and we should usе thеm with carе and rеspеct. Wе nееd to еncouragе thеmеs that cеlеbratе lovе and joy without causing harm. Rеmеmbеr photographеrs, talk opеnly with couplеs about onlinе criticism. Wе havе sееn what was trеnding on social media in 2021. So focus on crеating crеativе prе-wеdding photos that cеlеbratе lovе and unity in a positive way.