Photographing beautiful moments at my first Bristol Pride march 2023

I attended my first Pride march this weekend and the whole experience has left me feeling enamoured. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, wearing my rainbow socks, wristband, and a t-shirt with the word Pride on it. I had no idea how I would fit in, but the spectrum of diversity, colours and identities was incredible.

 

Unsurprisingly, I noticed there was a plethora of other photographers present. However, it did seem that they were more interested in photographing the spectacle, rather than the significance of the pride march. It felt as if they were sensationalising pride.

 

I knew that my ability to document moments was going to do a better job than portrait images of a select few. I knew that, by being a member of the community, I had a better understanding of our purpose on that morning.

I switched my attention to trying to photograph other people identifying as bisexual in straight-appearing relationships, but then I realised the contradiction of making assumptions of people based on the way they chose to present themselves on a single day.

 

As the march started, the thing that struck me the most was the sense of togetherness and allyship. That was what I knew I had to document – to show the world that the LGBTQIA community, fundamentally, is one of undeniable love.

The next hour took me along a journey where I witnessed (nearly) unconditional support from everyone lining the streets of Bristol’s city centre. I succeeded in capturing beautiful moments of embrace and care – this is what I feel pride is truly about, showing the positive side of the protest and the tangible sense of progress and accomplishment. Homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, misunderstanding, bigotry and prejudice still exists but by documenting the positivity of the pride movement will hopefully empower more queer people to be themselves.