We asked the experts who’ve captured some of the most iconic weddings of recent times to share ideas that you can try for your pre-wedding shoots this season…
Image Credit: Katrina Kaif Instagram
A well-executed pre-wedding shoot gives us a sneak peek into the couple’s relationship. With social media being a catalyst in boosting the popularity of this decade-old trend, the innovation and creativity of photographers have been devising to perfect a pre-wedding photo shoot is limitless. But off-late couples and photographers have begun to gravitate more towards capturing heart-warmingly candid moments rather than relying on Bollywood-inspired ideas for their pre-wedding clicks.
Celebrity wedding photographer Sam Walzade, the man responsible for capturing memorable moments at Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbals wedding, says, “Pre-wedding photo shoots are all about bringing out the natural chemistry between the bride and the groom. To do so, we generally prefer to implement activities loved and desired by both. The photographs then effortlessly fall into place.”
But capturing the essence of your relationship in a shoot, especially if you’re not a celebrity who is used to being in front of the camera, can be daunting. This is why we enlisted the help of some of our favourite wedding photographers to share ideas for pre-wedding photoshoots that are timeless and ‘gram-worthy! Take a look…
According to Anand Rathi, a Mumbai-based celebrity wedding photographer who captured weddings like Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja and Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta,” The basics of pre-wedding photography remain simple. “The core lies in capturing the unbridled romance existing between two people, tweaking it by adding an element of fun,” he says, “One way of doing so is by being aware of the tastes, hobbies and preferences of the individuals.” The photographer shares what it was like to shoot Sonam Kapoor, saying, “While we shot with Sonam, we assumed she was all for poses and aesthetics. But, to the contrary, Sonam wanted to be all by herself before the camera during her wedding festivities, and my team had to put in more effort than we do for our regular photoshoots to bring out the element of simplicity and authenticity and capture those raw emotions.”
The story format of a pre-wedding photoshoot gives a bird’s eye view of the couple’s equation with one another. Anand Rathi explains, “Every couple has a story of their own, even in an arranged marriage, which is only known to the two people in the union. Hence, for a pre-wedding photo shoot that can be relevant even years down the lane, the story format helps infuse nostalgia even when someone is looking at the pictures years down the lane.”
In cases where the two have known each other for a very long time, couples prefer to recreate their old images together for their pre-wedding photo shoot. Although this trend is a byproduct of social media, it helps infuse life into the memories spent together at timely intervals and shows how people have evolved. According to Darshan Savla, of the Ethereal Studio, whose lens captured special moments at Ira Khan and Nupur Shikare’s wedding, “Everyone nowadays is exposed to social media. The couples I worked with have always treated social media as a base to get inspired and take ideas. Sometimes, they pick a place special to them in terms of nostalgia, like a landscape, beach, mountain or heritage sight. It’s their story, and they can personalise it as much as they like to reflect their special bond because it will serve as a memoir for their whole lives.”
For people who wish to implement an element of culture and tradition and create a jaw-dropping effect, the idea of the big fat pre-wedding photo shoot can never go wrong. With intricately designed costumes, exotic locations, and artistically curated magnanimous backdrops, this idea will stand the test of time. Anand Rathi says, “People opting for this kind of multi-extravagant photo shoot wish to relive the dream they have visualised for themselves to the fullest. Yes, it takes effort to create that one spotlight-steal-worthy shot. The results are worth the wait.”
Introducing pets and animals into a pre-wedding is the best way to instil a playful vibe into your pre-wedding photo shoots. Darshan Savla says, “A pre-wedding shoot is more of a fun, happy session which allows them sometimes rekindle their bond, explore each other a little bit more intimately, to pause for a while and acknowledge each other amid all the planning and the celebration of their union. My team often tells couples that it is mostly a picnic for the two of them. The whole scenario changes when they think it’s a one-day outing. They are much more comfortable and relaxed. This allows the photographer to capture their real, genuine bond of love and their personalities shine through.”
Ultimately, it’s important to remember to have fun and make lasting memories with your SO. Happy clicking!
Neha Karra is a junior writer, who loves to discover and try the latest trends in style, food and beauty. When she is not curating articles, you will find her playing with kids, reading books, painting and practising Mandala Art. View Profile
