Indian Wedding?

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Hi

Has anyone shot an Indian Wedding before?

Looking for some hints and tips.

Thanks,
Deb
 
I did an Ango-Indian wedding last year and it was a great experience. It all depends on what religion they are but there is some great colour, I believe with some weddings you have to be careful what you wear so try and cover everything off before the event.

We had one minor hiccup, even after the pre-event planning etc no-one had told us that apparently it was tradition to take portrait shots of the bride against a black background. We had no bakdrops with us and no studio lights so we borrowed a black tablecloth from the restaurant manager, cleared a couple of tables and chairs in a quietish corner and gaffer taped the tablecloth to the wall. The shots were done using an on camera flash with a Gary Phong Lightsphere and luckily they came out!

Good luck with it!
 
I have done one before it went ok.
In a normal wedding you would ask the bride and groom for some kissing shots and getting close too each other. This is a bit of a NO NO in an Asian wedding, never ask to do shots of them kissing. Ask them is it ok to do shots of them holding hands and being close together, show them some pictures and say is this kind of shot ok or not.
 
Asian weddings have different events depending on religion and background. Muslim an Sikh weddings are pretty similar, and Hindu weddings tend to be a little different. You'll find that there are a number of events that lead up to the big day, and then a post wedding reception is normal. I'm not too sure of Hindu weddings, but Sikh/ Muslim weddings usually consist of the following;

Girls Mehndi (Henna applied to the girl, lots of dancing)
Boys Mehndi (as above, but for the boy)
Wedding day - events can start off at home depending on the how the family does things, but usual end up at at the venue where the main ceremony takes places. Sikh weddings have A LOT of dancing, and muslim weddings tend to be a little more conservative.
Post wedding reception - Pretty much as the wedding day without the actual ceremony. The muslim name for this day is Walima. This day is usually hosted by the boys family, as the wedding day is hosted by the girls family.

With any asian wedding you'll find that there is a lot of colour. Pre wedding days are made up with orange, green, yellow. The wedding day is usually flourishing in red, though brides are now stepping out of the norm and going for other colours.

Although once, it was all about formal portraits, some of the younger generation are asking for a more artistic style of photography. There is heaps of emotion on all the events and with every laughter you'll find someone shedding a tear. Keep an eye on the immediate family of both sides as that will be the most important shots of the day. Try to get them out of the way first when posing shots and then worry about everyone else.

If you're looking for some inspiration (and you're on facebook) take a look at this guy Asian Wedding Photographer. Although most of his images relate to Hindu weddings, you get an idea of what a little creativity can do.

Hope that helps. If you need to know any more.. drop me a PM or ask here.
 
I've been reading Mark Cleghorn's book and there's some useful tips in there but I've just gone to look for it and I've left it at work :bang: Sorry
 
If it's a Sikh wedding you'll have less to worry about in terms of intimacy and conservativeness, we're a crazy bunch. You're in for a treat.
 
I shot a Sikh wedding last month, had a great time myself as well as the couple. One thing I found very helpful was looking on the Sikh wiki for the details of the ceremony. Got loads of useful info from that.

Mehndi party was a challenge as it takes place n the brides house, so you're very restricted for space.

Helped that the bride was stunningly beautiful though

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Pete
 
My mates a sikh and I went ot the wedding as a guest.. I was asked to take my camer by the bride/groom to take candids.. I got there and there where prof togs and video people.. I did my best to keep out of the way.. spoke to the women photographer and told her to tell me straight if/when i get in her way... she didnt seem the slightest bit interested in even speaking to me... So I got what I could.. I even got into the signing.. thats a bit special for a non sikh..

Wear summat on yer head if its a sikh wedding as well.

oh and BTW .. one of the best weddings I have been to.. beats the heck out of what we do :)

See here http://www.hyndburn.co.uk/c904116.html
 
Im going to a Sikh wedding this Saturday and am really looking forward to it.
God job Im not the official tog, it all begins at 8.00am and we all know where Ill be at 8.00am on Saturday morning! :D
 
Wow - thanks everyone.

Some great comments and inspiration.

Thanks again.
 
Oh and a tip. When the wedding ceremony has ended and the bride and groom leave the main temple room change your memory card and if time flash batteries. Because you're about to take a huge number of shots in a very small amount of time.

The tradition is that straight after the couple sit outside the temple, and are given money by the wedding party. The thing is, every couple there wants a photo with the bride and groom when they do this. So you'll have a very long queue of people. ALL wanting a shot doing of them with the couple. And you'll be taking at least 2 of each group just in case...

Pete
 
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