Indian weddings delight photographers because of how grand and vibrant they are. There are many events to cover and many moments when emotions show. Covering these moments requires creativity, technical know-how, and cultural sensitivity. Whether you are experienced or not, here is a list of 11 Indian wedding photography tips to help you on your wedding photography journey.
1. Be Aware of the Cultural Nuances
Indian weddings are heterogeneous – they vary across regions, religions, and communities. Before capturing the ceremonies, utilise a good amount of time to learn about the couples’ families and cultural backgrounds. Do this homework diligently to anticipate the key moments and capture them more meaningfully.
2. Scout the Venue
Do not make the mistake of going to the wedding venue for the first time directly on D-day. Make sure you and your team scout the wedding venue well in advance to familiarise yourself with the layout, lighting, and potential spots for perfect pictures. Some weddings happen in grand banquet halls, others in outdoor mandaps – the venues are not similar for every wedding. With the advent of social media, destination weddings, especially by the lake/ocean, etc, have become more popular, and scouting these venues has become even more important to check things like lighting and frames. This preparation will help you plan your shoot and reduce the scope of errors.
3. Prioritize Communication
Understanding the vision of the couple and the families involved is essential. Discuss their expectations – any must-have shots, the overall style they prefer, be it traditional, candid or a blend of both. Clear communication with the clients will help you align your photography with their desires, making you confident as a professional photographer that your clients are happy and satisfied with the products.
4. Capture the Emotions
Indian weddings are nothing short of an emotional affair, filled with joy, nostalgia and even tears. Focus on capturing these raw emotions. You will find many opportunities to capture candid shots of emotions in all the ceremonies. Be quick and spontaneous, always on your toes, because these emotional shots will eventually end up being the most special photographs for the couple and their families.
5. Prepare for Long Hours
Be prepared – physically, mentally, and technically because Indian weddings can span several days, and usually, you do not get long breaks. Carry extra batteries, memory cards, and backup equipment to avoid mishaps. But a crucial tip here would be to ensure you do not work like a robot without finding moments of little breaks, keeping yourself hydrated and eating healthy snacks throughout the event to be energetic and focused.
6. Utilise Natural Light
Be prepared to work in low-light conditions and practice taking shots in such conditions because many events happen during evening hours. Invest in good-quality lenses and lighting equipment for sharp and well-lit images. Having said that, do not leave any opportunity to utilise natural light as it can beautifully enhance the colours and details. Hopefully, you will find ample opportunities during outdoor ceremonies.
7. Focus on Details
From the bride’s dupatta or the intricate work on her wedding outfit to the decor in the venue, the flowers, and the cutlery – you would find things worth photographing. Indian weddings are a feast for the eyes; pay attention to the finer elements. These detailed shots add depth to the wedding album and help tell the complete story of the day. This also allows you to focus and capture things that may be dear to the couple – such as the wedding rings or the bride’s henna design mentioning her groom’s name, etc.
8. Group Shots with Finesse
Group shots are essential in wedding photography but can get messy and unorganised, especially with large families. Be patient and assertive when arranging these shots, use a wide-angle lens to fit everyone in, and direct people clearly to make sure everyone is visible and looking their best. Also, keeping the background of these shots clear would help you make your object, i.e. the people in the frame, clearer. While managing these shots, tell the group to do their own thing to capture the natural group dynamics and get fun and candid moments.
9. Be Mindful of Religious Ceremonies
Religious ceremonies are a sacred part of Indian weddings; therefore, approach these ceremonies with respect and discretion. Plan and position your team in a way that does not require verbal communication with your team members, and avoid using flash or making unnecessary noise during rituals like the Pheras or Kanyadaan. Strategic planning and positioning without intruding or disrupting the flow of the ceremony is ideal.
10. Experiment with Perspectives and Angles
Creativity is the primus inter pares of all the most important skills required from anybody in the creative field. Capture the Baraat from a high vantage point or shoot through decorative elements, such as hanging flowers or drapes, to create frames within frames. Experiment with angles involving the couple. Unique perspective can bring a fresh and artistic touch to your images, setting your work apart from traditional wedding photography. Pinterest is a great source. Do not undermine its value!
11. Stay Spontaneous and Adaptive
With events often running off-schedule or spontaneous moments happening unexpectedly, EXPECT ANYTHING in Indian weddings. As a wedding photographer, be adaptable and ready to capture these unscripted moments. These impromptu moments, like surprised dance performances and people’s reactions amid some chaos, can actually give you some super fun and memorable shots.
Conclusion
Remember, each wedding is different – expect the unexpected! Embrace the differences and diversity, stay creative and, most importantly, enjoy capturing one of the most significant days in a couple’s life. Along with these 11 tips, remember to prioritise your clients’ comfort and wishes. Lastly, trust yourself and your process completely.