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Who are you?

Saad Syed

S2S Photography, LLC.

919-413-5220

www.s2sphotography.com

What do you do?

I am a wedding photographer. I consider myself in a business of documenting love, connection, and the human experience.

Where are you based?

I reside in Raleigh, North Carolina. But I get commissioned for weddings all over. I have shot and/or will be shooting weddings in Delaware, Florida, Ohio, New York, Virginia, Georgia, and North Carolina.

When and How did you get started in the South Asian wedding industry?

I have a Southeast Asian background and it was extremely easy for me to get into the industry. Due to my understanding of the culture and the expectations that come along with it, I am able to provide a very different type of photography and a unique approach to how I deal with weddings.

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Why do you do what you do?

I love photography and I love “the moment”.

Do you work exclusively on South Asian weddings?

I work with all types of clients and have experience with many cultures. However, the majority of my clients tend to be South Asian.

Describe some of your inspirations.

My inspirations are some of the best photographers in the market – Ed Pingol for lighting, Joe Buissink and Jeff Ascough for journalism, and Jim Garner for style. 

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What are some mistakes you see most South Asian brides (and families) make?

Lack of crowd control. A lot of rituals and a lot of family formals sessions get overwhelmed with guests who are photo-enthusiasts. Guests need to know that the professional photographer is there to do a job and that the couple have paid a commission. When people jump in the way of the photographer or interrupt the photo sessions, they hinder the quality of compositions and/or waste the photographers time the couple has paid for. A good DJ, planner/coordinator, or family overseer goes a long way in regards to organization of the crowds that develop at South Asian events.

Do you only cater to certain budgets only?

Due to the quality of work I put out and the amount of effort that goes behind it, I cater to middle and high end budgets.

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Tell us about your strongest area.

My strongest area is lighting and framing. I’m not a photographer who “machine guns” the shutter release and takes thousands of mindless pictures in the hopes that a few come out epic. I paint with light. I compose. I see the scene in front of me and try to decipher what it can become. To this end, I use various different varieties of light and framing techniques.

Tell us about your weakest area.

I am my own worst critic. With my photography, I am a perfectionist and a romantic. Even if a composition comes out fabulous, I still try to make it better. This isn’t necessarily a “weak area”, however, it’s good to be reminded to just relax sometimes.

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How would you describe your working style?

I consider myself a journalist and the one thing I love documenting is the essence of the human experience. Each marriage signifies a beautiful story and within the hours of the wedding events, there are key moments that define the couple, the event, and the story. I make it my responsibility to capture these moments in a manner that is romantic and timeless.

My post-wedding workflow is also extremely efficient. I process all the pictures that come out useable and have the final products – be it albums or DVD of images – ready within 2-4 weeks of the wedding. I have had clients come back from a ten day honeymoon to find everything completed and all products in their mail. My clients don’t have to sit there and waste time proofing and nor do they have to wait for months to see their products. Everything is produced and delivered exceptionally fast.

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Describe a particularly memorable wedding you’ve worked in.

One of my most memorable weddings is actually one of my latest – Rabia and Naeman. It can be viewed on my blog here!

It was a higher end wedding held in Miami with the reception in New York. One of the high points of the event was the bhangra – something I capture in a very dynamic way. Miami and New York provide for some gorgeous scenery and I absolutely love the contrasting atmospheres. One thing I try to incorporate is wide-angle field of views during the dances and the rituals. 

What’s your number one wedding tip?

Relax. What is the best way to relax? Hire a team of vendors who will come through for you like family.

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