Indian Wedding

[lil_miss]

Here's a couple of shots from 27/01.

Was my first paid wedding... I thought it went really well and I'm really happy with the photos. It was tiring though - a three day affair!

C&C would be great.

[lil_miss]

And a couple more

[CyberPet]

I just *love* Indian weddings, never shot one myself, but I love the colors, their dresses and everything. Totally cool!

I'm not too found of the tilt on your first image, it's a bit *too* much, tilting is fine, but not when it's extreme, as in 45°. :D

The portrait of her is amazing, I would love to see one in full color too (so I can really enjoy all those wonderful colors!)

[_Jo_]

They are lovely!

[xandria]

I like image #2 - great capture and expression, looks almost like a candid shot. It's exciting to have your first paid - by people you don't know - job!

[CyberPet]

Oooh, didn't see the new ones... :D

Now I get to enjoy her beauty and colors!!

A tip on the picture of her leaning on the wall... duplicate the background layer and select Screen as blending mode and you'll see something amazing!

[lil_miss]

I'm not too found of the tilt on your first image, it's a bit *too* much, tilting is fine, but not when it's extreme, as in 45°. :D


Thanks for your comments - I value the input and I'm being a sponge at the moment absorbing everything comes in.. very keen to learn new things ... That was as shot - but I do have a version that isn't tilted also, so there is an option to them. :)

I will definately try your suggestion for the background. Thanks!

[lil_miss]

Oooh, didn't see the new ones... :D

Now I get to enjoy her beauty and colors!!



Yes she was gorgeous. Over the three days she wore 4 different outfits. Gold/purple, blue, yellow and this one was the final one red. :) I will post some from the other days later tonight for you to enjoy. It was my first indian wedding and it was pretty amazing. I really enjoyed it despite it being long. :)

[lil_miss]

Also noting that the clients themselves havent seen these yet - should be in the next day or two - so time to alter anything that really sticks out :)

[DaveG]

My shock at the first Indian wedding that I shot was that they don't kiss. I was alone with the B&G and I asked them to kiss and the bride went all 14 on me. Blushes, shy grins, embarrassment, and she was a DOCTOR! I asked what was up and they explained to me the no kissing "rule", so I immediately told them that I had no idea and that I'd stop. "No, please continue." they said. They then explained that while it's OK with them, could I separate the "kissing proofs" from the regular proofs so that their parent's couldn't see them? The B&G - once she got over that initial shyness - were gung-ho about it all.

When I did a wedding presentation for my next Indian wedding I brought this "kissing" point up. That bride and groom were exactly like the first, they both wanted kissing shots - in private - and they wanted the proofs hidden from the parents!

The one other point was that both of my Indian wedding parties were pretty "North Americanized" and both the brides were late. It turned out that the makeup is quite time consuming to apply with both regular makeup, and then gold this and that, that's glued (I assume) to the bride. Then there's the sari (sp?) dress, and neither bride had any sense of how long it was going to REALLY take to get dressed!

But both weddings were a joy and the colours spectacular!

[newbie_photog]

Beautiful shots, Just out of curiosity how much do you charge for a 3 day wedding?

[xandria]

My shock at the first Indian wedding that I shot was that they don't kiss. I was alone with the B&G and I asked them to kiss and the bride went all 14 on me. Blushes, shy grins, embarrassment, and she was a DOCTOR! I asked what was up and they explained to me the no kissing "rule", so I immediately told them that I had no idea and that I'd stop. "No, please continue." they said. They then explained that while it's OK with them, could I separate the "kissing proofs" from the regular proofs so that their parent's couldn't see them? The B&G - once she got over that initial shyness - were gung-ho about it all.

When I did a wedding presentation for my next Indian wedding I brought this "kissing" point up. That bride and groom were exactly like the first, they both wanted kissing shots - in private - and they wanted the proofs hidden from the parents!

The one other point was that both of my Indian wedding parties were pretty "North Americanized" and both the brides were late. It turned out that the makeup is quite time consuming to apply with both regular makeup, and then gold this and that, that's glued (I assume) to the bride. Then there's the sari (sp?) dress, and neither bride had any sense of how long it was going to REALLY take to get dressed!

But both weddings were a joy and the colours spectacular!
Great tips! And very helpful for those of us who are waiting for the opportunity to shoot an Indian wedding.

[lil_miss]

Yes I was well aware of the non kissing.. I think that was prior to them being officially married. The first night was Thur and that was similar to a traditional hens night - this is where the bride had the henna applied. Friday afternoon was the muslim ceremony which we werent allowed to photograph. These photos were taken on the Saturday which was a special photo session, followed by the reception. Saturday took on the format of most traditional weddings, which made things a lot easier. They were quite happy to have a few kissing shots on Saturday as they had already been married the day before. In fact it was them that asked to have them taken - as I wasnt sure and didnt want to ask. They havent mentioned anything about 'hiding' these shots as of yet though.

As for charging... It was no more than a standard wedding.. that being that it was our first one - so wasn't what I would consider full price anyway. But the Thursday night we only took around 50 photos for about half an hour or so, and Friday was much the same. The groom just wanted to capture the bride in her different costumes more than anything. Saturday was the afternoon beginning at about 4.30pm and through to the reception at about 9.30ish. So effectively the same as doing it all in one day :)

They get approx 25 photos from Thur, 25 from Friday and about 170 from Saturday for them to view. And from that they are choosing 150 to be printed 6x4. :)

[FlavioMX]

Nice photos! A great idea for Indian weddings is to take pictures of the temporary henna tattoo on the bride, is supposed to be worn only at special times, Indian people call it mehendi.

[Saralonde]

The fascinating things I learn here at POTN!

[inthedeck]

Once I get some digital shots back, from our Indian wedding (I am a Hindu, and my wife is Caucasian) I will try to get some up. We do not kiss much either, when close to parents. That, it's one of those 'cultural' things. In India (not sure about Pakistan, and Muslim Countries (though they are mostly the same)), parents hardly talk to their kids about the birds and the bees. So, obviously, kissing doesn't happen in front of the 'elders' and parents. Sex doesn't happen before marriage. -- Eventually, though, I am sure some traditions will no longer be...but such is life.

In the Western Nations, kissing is more accepted, and almost expected during weddings. So, having lived here in the U.S. since I was a kid, and also living in the Himalayas, as a kid, I have been exposed to lots of cultural nuances. For me, it just broadens my perspective.

I do have one photo from the wedding, to share...though, not a professional one. It's myself, and my sister-in-law...and Christian, our photographer, for the entire process. Had a great time...

View Picture here... (http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/inthedeck/Giggles-bubblescameramaniwedding191.jpg)

[Kiddo]

Wonderful photos!!

[monter]

Oooh, didn't see the new ones... :D

Now I get to enjoy her beauty and colors!!

A tip on the picture of her leaning on the wall... duplicate the background layer and select Screen as blending mode and you'll see something amazing!


AWESOME TIP!! Thanks!!!

[Philco]

Please say you got close-ups of the henna on her hands! I'd love to see a shot of that. Someday I'll book an Indian wedding, and I'll be really excited.

[lil_miss]

Nice photos! A great idea for Indian weddings is to take pictures of the temporary henna tattoo on the bride, is supposed to be worn only at special times, Indian people call it mehendi.

Yup I've got many of those - will post some later on when i get home from work :) I was taking photos as she was getting it painted on.

[ilovemycamera]

Well, indian weddings are new to me. I haven't ever seen one, and i find these pictures to be great captures of what great detail goes into them

[lil_miss]

As promised here are a couple with the henna

http://www.momentz.co.nz/Gallery/Temp/wedding1.jpg


http://www.momentz.co.nz/Gallery/Temp/wedding2.jpg

http://www.momentz.co.nz/Gallery/Temp/wedding3.jpg

[CyberPet]

Oh, her blue outfit is gorgeous!! (I can't just fantom what an experience it must have been to be there for several days!)

[Philco]

I really like the blue one too.

[FlavioMX]

Loved the henna pics! specially the 1st one with small DOF. Thnak you for sharing!

[ilovemycamera]

The close up hand shots really look great.

What an experience! :)

[lil_miss]

Here's another of my favourites - (forgot about this one!)

http://www.momentz.co.nz/Gallery/Hakik/images/image021.jpg

[lil_miss]

Thanks for all your comments.. it certainly was an experience.. but i thoroughly enjoyed it! :)

[Davidm5]

Here's one from yesterday!
I just love the colours!

David in Toronto

[lil_miss]

wow that's certainly interesting :)

[ilovemycamera]

Here's another of my favourites - (forgot about this one!)




Man, that one is exceptional! It's my fave by farrrrr!:cool: