This personal ethical statement was written for my Communications Ethics course at Brigham Young University (BYU). It outlines the values and principles that guide my decisions, both personally and professionally, with integrity at the foundation. As a wedding photographer, I believe in honoring commitments, treating others with compassion, taking responsibility for my choices, and making decisions that respect the dignity and well-being of the people I serve.
Introduction
As a business owner, I face ethical dilemmas regularly. As a travel wedding photographer, I have the responsibility of capturing a couple’s first day as husband and wife and preserving those memories. Because wedding photography is a significant investment for couples, I take my work seriously. I want my clients to receive not only beautiful photographs, but also an experience characterized by honesty, charity, consistency, professionalism, and integrity..
My personal aspirations are rooted in my faith and my desire to become the person described in my particular blessing: a humble, devout, righteous daughter of God who radiates light and love. I believe integrity is central to becoming that person. It influences how I treat clients, fulfill commitments, and respond when things do not go as planned. In this statement, I will explain how deontology, virtue ethics, my religious beliefs, and professional standards guide my ethical decisions as a wedding photographer.
Philosophical Theories
Deontology is one philosophical theory that strongly influences my professional ethics. Deontology emphasizes duties and moral obligations, rather than judging actions solely by their consequences. This theory reminds me that I have a responsibility to honor my commitments, even when doing so is uncomfortable or inconvenient. In my business, I apply this principle by communicating prices and payment schedules clearly, explaining which services are included in my package, and taking responsibility when I cannot deliver something as expected. My clients deserve honesty and consistency, regardless of whether being transparent benefits me personally.
Virtue ethics complements deontology by focusing on the character traits a person develops and practices. Rather than simply asking whether I am following a rule, virtue ethics encourages me to consider the kind of person I am becoming. I want to cultivate honesty, integrity, compassion, humility, and dependability. For example, I strive to be a calm, supportive presence on a wedding day while maintaining the artistic integrity of my work. These qualities help me build trust with clients and develop habits that reflect the professional and type of person I want to become.
Siessela Bok’s model also provides a framework for navigating ethical dilemmas and, without knowing it, I have used it many times in my business to make decisions when faced with ethical dilemmas. It encourages individuals to consult their conscience, seek expert advice, and consider a discussion, whether real or imagined, among the parties affected by a decision. This model reminds me that ethical decisions require more than choosing the most comfortable option. They require honest reflection, consideration of others, and a willingness to evaluate my responsibilities.
Religious Foundation : Christlike Integrity
My understanding of integrity is deeply influenced by my upbringing in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I view integrity as an essential christlike attribute because it requires consistency between what I profess to believe and how I act, in his General Conference talk Integrity: A Christlike Attribute, Elder Gerard reflects on questions that challenged him to examine whether his actions aligned with his beliefs and whether others could see consistency between his words and deeds. These questions resonate with me because I want my clients to experience the same honesty and dependability that I strive to practice in my personal life.
Professional Ethics
My personal beliefs also align with that of the professional standards outlined in the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers code of ethical conduct. This code emphasized integrity, quality, preparedness, clear contract, etc. These standards provide practical expectations for how wedding photographers should conduct their businesses and serve their clients.
The code’s emphasis on integrity and quality particularly reflect my professional goals. I want to represent my work honestly, maintain a portfolio that accurately reflects what clients can expect,and deliver photographs consistent with the quality of my portfolio. I also recognize the importance of preparedness, including having backup equipment to reduce the risk of preventable problems. Although preparation cannot eliminate every mistake, it demonstrates that I take my responsibilities seriously.
Conclusion
My ethical framework is grounded in deontology, virtue ethics, my religious beliefs, and professional standards. Deontology reminds me to honor my commitments, while virtue ethics encourage me to develop character traits I value. My fath motivates me to cultivate Christlike integrity by aligning my actions with my beliefs, and professional ethical statements provide concrete standards for honesty in dealing with my fellow men.
I know that ethical decision-making will not always be easy, especially when my responsibilities conflict with my emotions or personal interests. However, I want to approach difficult situations with honesty, compassion, and integrity. Rather than hiding from mistakes or choosing the most comfortable response, I will strive to communicate clearly, honor my promises, and take responsibility for my decisions. Ultimately, I want my work and relationships to reflect the integrity I value and the professional I am striving to become.
Sources
Baker, B. (n.d.). Case 3-A : Sharenting: Privacy Concerns of Sharing Photos and Videos of Children on Social Media. Vitalsource Bookshelf online.
Digital Packet - COMMS 304 DCE. Vitalsource Bookshelf online. (n.d.).
Gerard, J. N. (2024, April 6). Integrity: A Christlike Attribute. Homepage - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/04/17gerard?lang=eng
ISPWP, I. S. of P. W. P. (n.d.). Code of Conduct. https://ispwp.com. https://www.ispwp.com/pages/code-of-conduct
Painter, C., Shauster, E., & Patterson, P. (n.d.). Media Ethics. Vitalsource Bookshelf online.
