Listening, Learning and Pledging to Do better

In light of recent events, I took a break from posting to my social media to listen and learn. While I am starting to post my own content again, I want to first remind myself and others that the work isn't done.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
This issue is bigger than staying "on brand" or not wanting to get political on our feed because the choice not to, is our privilege talking. In my bio, I state that Aeipathy Studio is community-minded and I want to stay true to that, so here we go:⁠⠀
⁠⠀
There is an obvious lack of BIPOC (Black/ Indigenous People of colour) representation in the wedding industry, but do not take this to mean BIPOC people aren't out there doing the work and creating wonderful things. ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
I am guilty of a lack of diversity in my styled shoots, my feed, events, etc. While the creative teams I work with and students I teach certainly consist of different backgrounds, they are still mostly white. ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
I've known this and talked about it with others for a while, but without taking the steps needed to change it. ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
I plan to be better and hope those of you reading will take a look at your own work too. At the same time, it's important not to run out and tick a box with a "diversity shoot". I have spent the last week and a half listening and learning from BIPOC people, vendors, and the resources they've shared, and plan to continue (one week is not enough to say you covered it). This issue runs deep, and I know some of the changes I make come through where I seek inspiration, who I follow, who I work with and recommend, and how I represent or share my work publicly. ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
I was listening to a podcast with @novareidofficial the founder of @Nu_Bride⁠ and she describes how many people would never exclude a person based on the colour of their skin, gender identity, or orientation, but the question is whether or not people are actively including people. ⁠This really stuck with me.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
We may not be able to change our past content or events, but let's hold each other accountable in our business and in our daily lives to do better because #blacklivesmatter