The Ultimate Guide of Becoming an LGBTQ Ally Business | Denver LGBTQ Ally Photographer, Underexposed®
Underexposed® Photography is proud to be an LGBTQ Ally — All identities, cultures, abilities & genders welcome and supported.
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Today, diversity and inclusion are more important than ever, and businesses have a unique role to play in this too. As a Denver-based LGBTQ Ally Photographer, Underexposed® is proud to be an LGBTQ Ally Business. As a business owner, I want this blog post to serve as the ultimate guide for businesses looking to make a greater impact on the LGBTQ+ community and consider becoming an LGBTQ Ally Business. We’ll explore what it means to be an LGBTQ Ally Business, provide practical steps to get started, and I share my own business journey as an LGBTQ Ally Business. Whether you’re a business owner, a manager, or an employee, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to consider your allyship efforts, give you examples of how to implement inclusive business practices, and foster inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community in your business operations.
What Does LGBTQ+ Stand For?
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation defines LGBTQ+ as “ ‘lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and more.’ Many people and organizations use “LGBTQ+” as a catch-all term for the non-cisgender and non-straight community, but the acronym varies depending on culture and style.” Read more about their “Being an LGBTQ+ Ally Guide” here on their website to learn more.
What Does it mean to be an LGBTQ Ally Business?
Choosing to become an LGBTQ Ally Business means considering business actions, values, policies, messaging, etc., i.e. taking action, to support the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) community.
How to Become an LGBTQ Ally Business
Here are some ideas to help get started becoming an LGBTQ Ally Business:
Educate Yourself: Learn about LGBTQ identities, issues, and terminology to help you approach your efforts with sensitivity and awareness. Check out the “Being an LGBTQ+ Ally Guide” to help you get started.
Update Business Practices: Assess your business’ foundation (vision, mission, values, policies & procedures), messaging, and marketing efforts to ensure they align with and support inclusive practices and language.
Respect Names & Pronouns: Work to use correct names and pronouns, and if you're unsure, politely ask how a person identifies and which pronouns they prefer – it’s a great idea to capture this in questionnaires or contact forms.
Establish an Ally Action Plan: Determine what you can do as a part of your marketing/advertising, partnerships, services, and general messaging to implement inclusive language, services, and efforts in your business.
Stay Informed: Regularly stay up-to-date on current LGBTQ issues and local events, and determine which to take part in that aligns with your business.
Advocacy: Create branded messaging to speak up for equality and the LGBTQ community from your social channels and other communication vehicles.
Staff & Contractor Diversity: Create business practices and training materials to help you and your team promote diversity and inclusion in your hiring practices for staff and contractors who align with your company’s allyship practices.
External Training & Development: You may also create or invest in further trainings, conferences, events, etc. to continue to support staff in their daily duties and responsibilities, as well as helping them generate ideas for furthering the company’s allyship efforts.
Promote Kindness: Being an ally as both a company and as individuals involves showing kindness without judgment in every human interaction.
Be Committed: It’s more than just saying “Love is love” or celebrating Pride month. Being an LGBTQ Ally Business means regularly reviewing your allyship efforts and continuing to build on your practices to support the LGBTQ+ community.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation includes “Ways to Show Your Support” in their “Being an LGBTQ+ Ally Guide” on their website to give you more ideas.
Underexposed® Photography as an LGBTQ Ally Business
For Underexposed® and as a photographer, this goes beyond simply taking pictures. Being an LGBTQ Ally Business involves creating a safe and inclusive environment through every business interaction where every person (client, contractor, partnership, etc.) feels respected and valued.
Offering Inclusive Services
Underexposed® has worked with organizations and individuals, sponsored events, and provided safe photography services to the LGBTQ+ community as an LGBTQ Ally Business.
Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to photograph various LGBTQ+ community photography sessions, including:
LGBTQ Family portraits (and Lifestyle photography)
Same-sex Elopements
Same-sex Weddings
LGBTQ Senior portraits
Special Events
Performances (including circus, aerial, drag queen, drag king, etc.)
Coming-out Celebrations
and more!
Check out my blog post of Nick & Jeff’s LGBTQ Wedding Story on my website here!
Creating a Safe-Space in Photography Sessions
Inclusive Language & Pronouns
Upon the first impression, the Underexposed® website and booking calendar both include inclusive language, LGBTQ allyship information, and asks for preferred pronouns on all contact forms and questionnaires. We’ve also made it a point to review all photography session questionnaires to use inclusive language – for example, using the term “Couple” instead of “Bride and Groom” for wedding or elopement photography, etc.
Highlighting Diversity
Throughout the Underexposed® website and portfolio, we work to feature and highlight the diversity of all identities, cultures, abilities and genders to represent the full spectrum of the community at large.
Building Trust & Rapport
Before beginning any photography session, we always spend time connecting with the main contact for a session and getting to know our clients/subjects to build trust and rapport. This helps create a comfortable atmosphere, allowing everyone to relax and be themselves in front of the camera. As we know, every photography session has its own meaning and story, so we deeply listen to the client to help understand perspectives and capture the importance, emotion, and special moments during the creative process.
Inclusive Poses & Settings
At Underexposed®, we work to make each session unique to fit the individuals who will be a part of the session. This means being mindful to help the client choose the right location by listening to ideas and desires and making the best recommendations, as well choosing poses that will authentically work for the client. We focus on creating inclusive and empowering images. Our goal is to help you feel comfortable in front of the camera and be yourself to create the best, most natural poses and expressions for you in capturing your photos.
Our Authentic Approach to Editing
During post-processing, our editing process reflect the Underexposed® style while always maintain the integrity of the client. We never over-edit or alter any subjects' appearances in ways that might feel inauthentic to them, nor do we use Photoshop or AI in our editing process. We focus on enhancing the natural beauty and uniqueness of each individual, while stylizing the final photo with bold colors and sharp imaging.
Respect for Privacy & Consent
Underexposed® is committed to respecting privacy and consent for all clients. Our agreements always include sections regarding use, marketing and consent, in which this can be updated as needed when clients do not want their photos shared. We understand that some individuals may not be comfortable with their photos being shared, especially those a part of the LGBTQ community. We also have options to make photo galleries private, password-protected, or delivered another way to ensure this privacy.
Establishing Strategic Partnerships
Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce
In 2023, Underexposed® joined the Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce as an LGBTQ Ally Member. Coming together with other LGBTQ Ally members and LGBTQ Businesses, Underexposed® was able to connect with other LGBTQ Ally vendors who provide safe and supportive services to the LGBTQ+ community.
The Center on Colfax
In 2024, Underexposed® partnered with The Center on Colfax to be a part of their Resource Directory affirming that we are a safe space for LGBTQ+ community members, while also offering discounted sessions to the LGBTQ+ community.
Additional Efforts
Underexposed® has also recently reached out to Transgender Center of the Rockies, Mile High Behavioral Healthcare, PFLAG Denver, and Parasol Patrol to extend partnerships to further connect with and support the LGBTQ+ community in a larger way.
The Impacts of Becoming an LGBTQ Ally Business
While Becoming and LGBTQ Ally Business can include various positive impacts, it is also important to address some of the more complex challenges.
Consumer Perception
Depending on your business’ target market, it’s important to consider the impact of becoming an LGBTQ Ally Business on your current and potential clients. If your target market generally supports the LGBTQ community and these views as well, it can be generally perceived that a business who is committed to making their LGBTQ Ally efforts public and visible, sponsoring Pride or other events, partnering with LGBTQ organizations, etc. has a positive impact. For some businesses, sharing their allyship publicly has helped to increase business. However, becoming an LGBTQ Ally also may negatively impact some current or potential clients if they do not align with these views. Your business may lose both past clients and potential clients due to your allyship. It’s important to consider possible consumer perceptions and the impact this may have on your business while considering becoming and LGBTQ Ally Business.
Diversity Impacts
It’s clear that businesses who actively promote their LGBTQ Ally business efforts naturally attract more diversity overall, including their clients, staff, leadership, partnerships, etc. Furthermore, it is shown that businesses who have more diversity also excel in other areas compared to their competitors who do not. According to the Instride article, “Diversity in the workplace statistics you need to know,” the following includes Diversity in the workplace statistics related to company performance:
Corporations identified as more diverse and inclusive are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors. (McKinsey)
Diverse companies are 70% more likely to capture new markets. (HBR)
Diverse teams are 87% better at making decisions. (People Management)
Diverse management teams lead to 19% higher revenue. (BCG)
Promoting Equality
The LGBTQ+ community has had a long history and challenges in equality, inclusion, marriage, the workplace, healthcare, fairness, safety, mutual respect, and so much more. Choosing to become an LGBTQ Ally Business not only helps to create more safe spaces, vendors and services, and public environments for the LGBTQ+ community, but speaking up about allyship and taking action to increase LGBTQ Ally efforts encourages more businesses and individuals to speak up and support as well. Advocacy will continue to help promote equality and support the LGBTQ+ community overall.
Remember, authentic allyship goes way beyond trends or Pride month—it’s about consistent support and action.
Conclusion
Becoming an LGBTQ Ally Business is not just about making a statement; it’s about making a difference. Allyship is not just about using rainbow emojis, saying your LGBTQ-friendly, or celebrating Pride month; It’s about creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for everyone through your everyday business practices and messaging. Becoming an LGBTQ Ally Business is about standing up for equality and advocating for the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community. At Underexposed® Photography, we believe that every business has the potential to be a force for good. By becoming an LGBTQ Ally Business, you’re not only contributing to a more inclusive society, but you’re also enriching your business with diverse perspectives and experiences for everyone involved.
Next Steps
Finally, it’s time to create your action plan. Decide what your LGBTQ Ally practices and efforts will look like and the steps you and your team will need to take to implement these into your business. Don’t forget to also build regular check-ins to review efforts you’ve implemented, discuss reflections and feedback, and determining how to adjust or add other efforts or practices to your business – I recommend doing this at least every six-months.
Ready to Book Your LGBTQ-Friendly Photography Session?
I have had the honor to photograph various types of photoshoots with members from the LGBTQ+ community.
If you or someone you know is looking for an LGBTQ-Friendly Photographer, who is committed to being an LGBTQ Ally, I would love the opportunity to talk with them.
