Tell your authentic
love story

LGBTQIA+ professional wedding and elopement photography in Virginia, D.C. and Maryland that celebrates the real you

Talk to Lauren

✓ Celebrate your love

✓ Look and feel beautiful

✓ Feel fully yourself

Your love story is beautifully unique, and your photos should be too.

You won’t get cookie-cutter images or generic poses from me. My goal is to make you feel completely yourself and create photos so genuine that you feel the same raw emotions when looking back at them years later.

Talk To Lauren
Two men in gray suits holding hands and smiling at each other in an outdoor alleyway with brick walls and greenery.
A couple in formal attire kissing in an autumn forest setting.

Cherish & Chewy

“We knew Lauren was the right fit for us when we asked if what we were thinking aligned with her style and she said "I just want to treat people the way they want to be treated", which, if you're in any way a diverse couple, you know this is exactly what we needed.”

Two women in wedding dresses holding hands and smiling at each other on a paved pathway during a wedding celebration outside in the evening, with wedding guests in the background.

Mel & Demi

“One of the best investments we made for our wedding was hiring Lauren Barkume to photograph our day… So many friends and family complimented us on how amazing Lauren was. The final results though were beyond our imagination! She made us so comfortable and captured our day so so well, and we will treasure our wedding photos and our beautiful album for the rest of our lives.”

Two women, possibly bride and partner, smiling and posing together while holding a bouquet of pink and white flowers, standing in front of a large, ornate teal-colored metal door.

Bridgett & Laura

“Lauren did an amazing job with our wedding! She really took time to understand us and what we were looking for in our photos. We have gotten so many compliments on the photos and the art she designed for our home. I would highly recommend!”

A couple stands close together at the top of stairs outside a building with large columns and a triangular pediment, illuminated at night.
Two women sitting on the grass in a field, smiling and laughing, holding empty champagne glasses and a bottle.
Two men in white shirts and dark pants standing close with their foreheads touching, holding the leashes of their two dogs, one black and one light tan, on a stone bridge surrounded by green trees.
Two women in wedding dresses embracing at night near an outdoor fire pit with flames, with trees and dark sky in the background.
Outdoor wedding ceremony at sunset with a bride and officiant in front of seated guests, surrounded by greenery.
Two men in blue suits holding hands, standing on front steps of a white house with large potted plants and flowers, smiling at each other.
Two people, dressed in wedding attire, holding hands and smiling at each other, standing between large white columns.
A bride and groom standing on a small bridge by a lake surrounded by autumn trees with colorful leaves, reflecting in the water.
Two people, one in white and the other in a dark suit, walking down an aisle at a wedding reception, holding hands and smiling. Guests are seated on either side, clapping and watching. The setting is an outdoor venue with string lights overhead and a
A group of people dressed in formal attire, sitting at a dinner table, laughing and enjoying a celebration with candles and drinks.
Two women in wedding gowns standing close together under colorful LED light arches at night, holding hands and smiling at each other.
A woman and a person, possibly a woman, sharing an embrace outdoors during sunset with a landscape of trees and hills in the background.
A woman in a wedding dress lying on a spiral staircase with mirrored walls reflecting her image.
A bride and groom walking hand in hand outdoors, smiling, with green trees and sunlight in the background.
Two women in wedding dresses standing under industrial storage tanks with stairs, against a backdrop of leafless trees.
A sunset over a lake with a boathouse and a couple dancing inside, reflected in the calm water.
A black and white photo of two women dancing and holding hands at a celebration, with a group of people watching and smiling in the background, decorated with string lights.
A couple stands near the water at the National Mall, Washington, D.C., exchanging rings, with the Washington Monument in the background.
Women in a room, with two women holding hands, being assisted by others, during a moment of preparation, likely for a wedding.
Two women in white wedding dresses holding hands and walking in a park with large trees and fallen leaves on the ground, sunlight shining through the branches, indicating a fall or autumn setting.
Two women with their foreheads touching, eyes closed, sharing an intimate moment.
Silhouette of a woman holding a sequined dress in front of a window with curtains, next to a hanging wedding gown.
A man wearing a face mask and a white shirt is kneeling and looking at a dog while adjusting its bow tie. Another dog is in the foreground, and people are standing in the background.
Two women in wedding dresses cutting a wedding cake at a celebration, with a smiling woman in a black dress holding a drink nearby and guests in the background.
A woman, possibly a bride, laughing as another woman, possibly her makeup artist or friend, applies makeup with a brush. They are indoors, near a window, sharing a joyful moment.
Two women kissing at their wedding ceremony surrounded by guests outside during daylight.
Two women in wedding dresses standing close together at a train station, sharing an intimate moment near a black train with yellow and black striped poles in the foreground.
A wedding ceremony outdoors with two brides standing before a priest, holding flowers, under a decorated wooden pergola surrounded by greenery.
Silhouette of a couple facing each other at dusk, surrounded by trees, with a faint glow of evening light and a streetlamp in the background.
Two women in bridal dresses holding hands, standing against a blue background, smiling and wearing flower crowns and veils.
Two men in suits sharing an intimate moment on a park bench, with one resting his head on the other's shoulder.
Couple in wedding attire standing on steps in front of a lit-up classical building at night, with large columns and decorative frieze, illuminated by blue lighting.
Black and white photo of two women laughing and embracing. One is wearing a wedding dress with a veil, and the other is wearing glasses and a jacket.
A bride and groom smiling at each other in a forest setting, with tall trees and rocks around them.
A woman in a green suit and a young girl in a white dress standing on a staircase near a window with golden stained glass, holding hands and smiling at each other.
Two women in wedding dresses stand close, facing each other, smiling, illuminated from behind with city lights and a clock tower in the background at night.
Silhouette of a couple facing each other in front of a large stained glass window with warm tones.
Two women dancing and holding hands near the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., with the Washington Monument in the background, black and white photo.
A couple sitting at a bar counter in a dimly lit restaurant or bar, smiling and looking at each other, with TVs in the background showing sports events, and red and black decor.
Two men walking hand-in-hand down a vineyard aisle, smiling at each other, surrounded by lush green grapevines with a forested background.
A wedding ceremony with two men holding hands and exchanging vows in a room with wooden floors, surrounded by seated guests, and a person officiating behind them, with art on the walls and large windows letting in natural light.
Black and white photo of two women laughing and embracing on a park bench, one wearing a wedding dress and veil, the other wearing a tuxedo with glasses, in a joyful moment.
A same-sex wedding ceremony taking place under a canopy, with two women holding hands and exchanging vows, surrounded by officiants, wedding party members, and guests, all smiling and dressed formally.

Celebrating and beautifully
capturing all love stories. 

As a lesbian who’s planned her own wedding, I know how frustrating it can be to wonder if your vendors are queer-friendly or if you’ll feel comfortable with them on your wedding day. I understand firsthand the historical barriers and discrimination in the wedding industry. I want everyone to feel accepted, comfortable and free to be who they truly are in front of the camera. That’s why I welcome people of all backgrounds and identities to experience the joy of capturing their authentic love story in beautiful photos. 

Talk To Lauren

Three steps to unforgettable wedding photos

Two women interacting in a bright room, one holding a dark blue hardcover book. A potted plant and flowers are in the background.

1. Talk to Lauren

Reach out to discuss your vision, wedding details and to check my availability. The sooner the better! I’ll answer your questions to ensure we’re a great fit for each other.

Couple in wedding attire holding hands under large columns at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

2. Plan your dream wedding day

Your session is fully personalized to match your unique personality and preferences. I cover every detail so can feel fully at ease on the big day.

Person hanging a framed picture on a white wall next to a plant and a botanical print.

3. Get breathtaking photos 

Relax and simply be yourself as Lauren captures your love story in beautifully authentic photos. We’ll create a handmade album and/or wall art that you can cherish for a lifetime.

Person sitting on a blue couch with a laptop, smiling, wearing a denim jacket and black pants.

Email

lauren@laurenbarkume.com

Phone

(571) 969-2124

Location

Serving LGBTQ+ wedding couples in Virginia, Maryland, the greater Washington D.C. area and Destination Locations

Two brides in white gowns holding colorful bouquets, walking hand in hand down an elegant hallway with wooden beams and large windows.

Have peace of mind and feel beautiful on one of life’s biggest days


A joyful, stress-free experience from start to finish: 

  • Feel fully seen, heard and understood 

  • Feel comfortable and at ease 

  • Reflect who you truly are as a couple

  • Get stunning photos that you can’t wait to share

Talk to Lauren