No matter how many events you pack for your destination wedding or the number of experiences you organize for that one big day, truth is that your special occasion will fly by in the blink of an eye. So, long after your wedding celebrations are over, it will be your photographs that will preserve your memories. From that dreamy bridal walk and teary ceremony to laughter in-between the rituals and dance performances on the sangeet, the wedding pictures will help you relive those once-in-a-lifetime moments for years to come and even down the generations. That’s why you need a pro who will document every single moment throughout the events. Your wedding photographer will play the leading role during your festivities to capture those candids and choreographed pictures.
But your endeavour does not end with just booking that dream photographer. There are several factors that you need to be consider. First, there’s your wedding venue, which will become the starting point to plan the aesthetic you are aiming for. The time of the ceremony will also dictate the imagery and flow. The lighting and intricate details are essential. You would also want your personalities to come out in the pictures. Your tastes and style, too. The poses that make you most comfortable in front of the camera and the must-click shots with friends and family.
The checklist is extensive, so we got the best in the business to pitch in with their advice and insider secrets. From Alia Bhatt’s wedding photographer to Katrina Kaif’s talent, the most sought-after celebrity wedding photographers share their top tips and tricks. We suggest you review them with your soon-to-be spouse, then talk it over with your photographer to ensure your walk down the aisle is seamless and stress-free. If you do, you’ll end up with an album of wedding photos you absolutely love and are absolutely Instagrammable.
House On The Clouds
The founder of House On The Clouds, Siddharth Sharma doesn’t follow arbitrary rules. Instead, using an innate approach, he reinvents himself with each wedding celebration, whether it was Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor’s intimate yet lavish ‘I Dos’ at their home or Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra’s movie-worthy nuptials in Rajasthan. For him, “light is everything. While we are always prepared with our lights, we ensure to work with the planners to design the lighting of all events. Light has three major attributes—quantity, quality and colour. It’s the right combination of these that gives the images a perfect aesthetic.”
“When it comes to poses. we always focus more on the couple’s chemistry and personality. Not everyone likes to be in front of the camera, so we have to spend a good amount of time with the couple to understand their aesthetic. We usually recommend a couple session before the festivities to get them comfortable with us and the camera.”
Top tip: “My top tip is you take enough time to select the photographer and then trust their craft by handing them complete reins.”
Reels And Frames
Thanks to a signature that blends artistry, chemistry and legacy, Reels And Frames was the chosen one to capture the big day of the stars including former Khush cover girl Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Rhea Kapoor and Rana Daggubati among others. Revealing his commandments, the founder of Reels And Frames, Anand Rathi shares, “The light must match the vibe. For a day wedding, use diffused sunlight. For a sundowner, soak up the golden hour and for a soirée, inject a little mood and edge.” He advices couples to “be present at their own event when the festivities begin. Makes for great pictures, makes for great memories.”
“When it comes to flattering angles, it’s ideal not to face the photographer straight front, but at a slight angle. For a slimmer look, ask the photographer to hold the camera at eye level (or slightly above) and always go for slightly side profile. For a full- length image, maintain at least 2x distance of your height from the photographer,” Anand adds.
Top tip: “Pose like no one is watching. Often time couples carry po the burden of sing ‘perfectly’ and that ends up looking choreographed.”
The Wedding Story
What do actor Bipasha Basu, cricketer Hardik Pandya and content creator Zaid Darbar have in common? Their wedding photographer, Harpreet Bachher. The renowned artist and founder of The Wedding Story is most renowned for transforming raw, real and recreated moments, from planned poses to candid emotions, into breathtaking images. Starting from the top, he says, the first step is choosing the right talent. “One of the biggest mistakes couples make is choosing a photographer based on simply skimming through their Instagram or website. Do a thorough research on their scope of work, so it aligns with your vision. Secondly, don’t be too fixated on the ‘vibe’ that you might have referenced from someone else’s celebrations. I feel you create the vibe when you’re having fun. Always leave some scope for spontaneity.”
“It’s important to do a pre-wedding shoot or what I call the ‘breaking the ice’ shoot. Dedicate at least 4-5 hours for it. This will allow you to create an authentic rapport between you and your photographer before the big day. Don’t make it cheesy, but classy. This is also the last time you will be single, so go ahead and get some lovely shots.”
Top tip: “Decide some shots in advance but strive to capture your authenticity as a couple. If you’re dancers, have some dancing pictures.”
Stories By Joseph Radhik
Wedding photography extraordinaire Joseph Radhik’s star-studded repertoire precedes him. Using his documentary and editorial approach, he went behind the lens to beautifully relay Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli as well as Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ love stories. Joseph, who is a pro when it comes to destination affairs, advocates encapsulating the essence of a place. “Most destination weddings take place in resorts, so the hotel/venue becomes the destination. Avoid this, by going out in the city and getting some photos or video just exploring it. Go for a lunch. Hang by the fun spots. And spend time with your to-be-partner.”
“Go beyond Instagram! A photographer’s work is all about curation and a shiny social media page may not tell you the whole story. Choose an artist who’ll do justice to your event as a memory, for your guests and social media too. So, do your research to understand what your final delivery of photos will look like.”
Top tip: “Stay away from your phone! Enjoy the moment. The phone puts pressure to share your big moments. Leave that task to the professionals.”
