If you're looking for a wedding photographer, you might have noticed that it can be hard to find diverse couples in photographers' portfolios. That's why we at Offbeat Bride work really hard to find photographers that represent all kinds of offbeat couples - LGBT, poly, plus-size, couples of color, dresses of color, tatted and pierced couples, and funky venue choices.

Our longtime sponsor Melissa Miksch is a prime example of a fresh breath of diverse air. Inspired by her portfolio, we thought we'd tell you the reasons why you should make sure you can see yourself as part of your photographer's portfolio...

If you don't see "you" in a photographer's work, it could be a sign that things may not go as smoothly as possible

Obviously, you won't see your exact twin on a photographer's website. But if a photographer never shows plus-size brides in their portfolio, they may not know how to flatter them. If they don't have anyone with non-white skin tones, it may be because they struggle with photographing darker skin tones.

If all their weddings are fru-fru, they may have a hard time capturing the true spirit of an offbeat wedding

While you and I both know that not all weddings are created equally, most of the Wedding Industrial Complex would find that statement shocking! Imagine being a traditional wedding photographer who's only ever shot traditional Westernized weddings. Hell, I even encountered that at my non-traditional beach wedding. I ended up not only firing my wedding photographer halfway through the event, but also ending up with wedding photos that told a totally different couple's narrative - the one the photographer forced us into.

There's a difference between "willing to work with alternative couples," and WANTING to

As Melissa Miksch put it...

We're not just a vendor that WILL work with alternative couples, but one that WANTS to. We're inclusive, body positive, and just love people and weddings!

From non-hurtful and inclusive language on their contracts, to not assuming gender identities or stereotypical relationship dynamics - these are the things that offbeat vendors are well versed in. The biggest tell about how accepting a vendor is going to be is seeing couples like you on their website! Like Melissa Miksch, you know they've been there and done that, and you guys going to get along juuuuust fine.

You might just get a special discount for being offbeat

Many of our offbeat vendors give special discounts to our readers because they want their portfolios to reflect couples you can identify with. Melissa Miksch is one of those awesome vendors...

OFFBEAT DISCOUNT:

In addition to their typical discount for Offbeat Bride readers (mention Offbeat Bride, and receive a $250 discount when you book $2500 or more worth of services) Melissa Miksch Photography is also offering an extra perk... Book Melissa Miksch before December 31st, 2015 and get a 16×20" signing canvas for the wedding day made from one of your engagement photos!

Learn from my mistakes, so that you don't have to fire your photographer mid-wedding, and go with a photographer who's obviously awesome. Book Melissa Miksch, like, NOW.