Who are you?

What do you do?
I’ve been photographing weddings for the most amazing couples. It’s my job to be a storyteller, to find the essence and character of the bride and groom and communicate that in a series of beautiful photographs. I’ve been lucky to work with such amazing (beautiful and talented) clients.

Where are you based?
Columbus, Ohio.

When and How did you get started in the South Asian wedding industry?
While I majored in biology as an undergrad at Stanford, I took a photography class for fun and fell in love with taking pictures. So long, biology! After getting my masters in photojournalism from Ohio University, I became a globe-trotting photojournalist, covering every kind of story from the 2005 tsunami in Asia to births in Papua New Guinea to hurricanes in Florida and health care in Haiti. My images were part of the Palm Beach Post’s hurricane coverage portfolio that was one of three finalists for a Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News Photography in 2005.

In 2005, I was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to spend a year on a documentary project on wedding rituals in Mauritius.  Mauritius is this tiny little island in the middle of the Indian Ocean with a vibrant and diverse Indian community. I’ve always been fascinated with rituals and ceremony. During this project, I just fell in love with the beauty and joy and emotion of weddings.

Why do you do what you do?
As a photojournalist, you see a lot of wonderful things and meet incredible people in every corner of the globe, but you also see a lot of suffering. After all the tsunamis, hurricanes and fires, I found myself really enjoying the joy of weddings. The moments, emotion, light, color and celebration of it all. It is an inspiring place to go to work.

Do you work exclusively on South Asian weddings?
I work with everyone.

Describe some of your inspirations.
Some of my wedding photography is completely photojournalistic – all about capturing the fleeting moments of the day. The photojournalist in me is inspired by Magnum photographers like Alex Webb and Raghu Rai, as well as many of the National Geographic photographers like David Alan Harvey.

However, painting is my first love. Two of my favorite artists are Henri Matisse and Wolf Kahn. Bright color palettes inspire me, whether in a piece of art, or in nature. I didn’t realize it until recently, but many of the portraits I make are more like paintings than photographs.

What are some mistakes you see most South Asian brides (and families) make?
It’s critical to carve out a significant chunk of time in the wedding-day schedule for bride/groom portraits. It takes time to get gorgeous portraits, so build that time into your schedule and you won’t regret it. Some of your favorite wedding pictures will come from that portrait session.

Invest in a professional photographer you really love. Photography should be one of your top wedding planning priorities. You’re thinking, of course she’s saying that, she’s a photographer! Seriously though. Do this thought experiment: your house is burning down and you have five minutes to collect anything you can grab and run. What will you take? Will you take your TV, your microwave, your shoes? Most likely you’ll take the things that have true meaning to you, the things that are irreplaceable. Like pictures and family albums. Your pictures are your history. They are valuable and historic.

Long after the cake has been eaten and the flowers wilted, you will still have your wedding pictures. In a couple of generations, imagine showing your wedding album to your grandchildren, as you explain the story of how Grandma met Grandpa (a story that no doubt has two completely different versions!) Your pictures are part of your family history. They are precious. So invest in a professional photographer you really love. Not a family member, not a friend, not Uncle Bob who has a fancy camera and will shoot your wedding for free (or say, $500). I’ve seen it happen, and that story has a sad ending.

Do you only cater to certain budgets?
I typically get hired for mid-to high-end weddings.

Tell us about your strongest area.
Wedding photography demands a diverse skill set. Many years of photojournalism experience has been the perfect training for capturing the fleeting (candid) moments that define a wedding. But my love for painting and my fine art background inspires my portraiture–I love shooting portraits. I think it’s difficult to find a wedding photographer that does both of those things well (posed portraits as well as candid moments).

This is how one of my brides answered this question on weddingwire.com:

“Uma’s cool, easy approach makes her a wonderful person to work with on this stressful day!! I had an outdoor wedding, and as the clouds came in and the rain came down, I was disappointed that we wouldn’t have the gorgeous sunsetting pictures across the lake as I had envisioned. She assured me the pictures would come out even better because of a little cloud cover. Bits of encouraging words like this were so valuable to me on my wedding day!!!”

Tell us about your weakest area.
My biggest weakness is cake. I love cake.
OK seriously. My weakness is that I’m very hard on myself. Perfectionism is great and all, but I’d rather be one of those devil-may-care types.

How would you describe your working style?
As a photojournalist, I take a ‘fly on the wall’ approach. I like to be so low-profile that people forget I’m there. That’s the best way to get natural, candid moments and emotion. Not easy to do, when you’re standing right there, clicking away with a huge camera! But it happens, and that’s the magic of it. When people are comfortable around you, they relax show their true selves. That’s when good pictures happen.

Describe a particularly memorable wedding you’ve worked on.
This was a truly one-of-a-kind wedding. Nikhil and Asha (who met at a Stanford reunion) got married in Little Rock, Arkansas. They wanted to combine the different cultural traditions represented by their parents: Indian, Jewish, Unitarian. The result was an Indian fusion wedding in the deep American south. The night before the wedding there was a sangeet. The following day, the baraat commenced before the ceremony. The ceremony was presided over by both a Hindu priest AND a Unitarian minister. The bride wore a white dress, while the groom was dressed in traditional Indian garb from head to toe (he changed to a tux before the reception). The couple wore traditional Indian garlands, walked around a sacred fire seven times. They exchanged rings, “I do’s”, a first kiss, and partook in a mixture of Indian and non-Indian wedding rituals.

This is the most fun way to watch this wedding:

Asha & Nikhil from Uma Sanghvi on Vimeo.

What’s your number one wedding tip?
No one tells you this beforehand, but you end up spending more time with your photographer on your wedding day than almost anyone else. Not only do you need to love their work, but you should also feel very comfortable with the person. When you meet them, ask yourself how you feel around them. Your instincts will guide you.

Lastly, enjoy your wedding! That should go without saying, but it goes by fast. So enjoy every beautiful moment.

There are many parts that go into creating the perfect wedding such as the venue location, the dress, the catering services and decorations that cost a lot of money, but one part that should not be forgotten is spending big money on an impeccable wedding photographer. While it is partly true that anyone can pick up a digital camera and shoot away because of how accessible photography has become in this day and age, it is still not the same as hiring an actual photographer who has the experience, passion and eye to create the lasting moments that a client deserves. Below are five points we at AA Creation Photography believe why it is important to spend the big money on hiring a good wedding photographer versus hiring a relatively cheap photographer or a family member that owns a digital camera.

1. The low rate photographer versus the high rate photographer- A good photographer will have the eye or vision for creating images that a person just owning a digital camera or  a low rate photographer will not have. The low rate photographer will likely only own one camera and lens while standing in the same position for the entire wedding ceremony and reception and essentially doing the bare minimum. The high rate photographer although pricey will give you lasting memories through the photographs created. A high rate photographer compared to the low rate photographer will have several cameras and lenses such as a fisheye or wide-angle lens to give a whole new perspective. The high rate photographer will also offer new angles from high and low and ultimately be well worth the money spent.

2. Established Trust- Being able to trust in the photographer hired for your wedding is very important. There have been too many instances where a bride has hired a low rate photographer and they have either been disappointed in the images or even worse the photographer failed to show up. There are also the feared questions of “Will their personality work with my event?”, “Will there be an album and if so, will it even look well put together and presentable?” and “Will they nickel and dime me?”. These are important questions to consider when selecting a photographer for your wedding/event. Typically when spending the money for a high rate photographer there will be no issue about trust because these photographers have insurance and know the proper protocol when being hired as your photographer.

3. Photographer with 40 weddings a year versus Photographer with 120 events a year- While it may seem that the photographer with more events has more experience and even may have the better portfolio as a result of having more jobs, the truth is that the photographer with less work is the better photographer and the one you should hire for your event. A photographer that has more 2 or 3 more jobs at a time or more events a year, treats your special day as nothing more than a job where they come to shoot and then go home.  You want someone who is passionate about their art and style and only books one event per weekend.  You want someone who is running around and wants to stay longer, so he or she can capture more moments and emotion to tell a story.

4. Labor Costs- While most think that a photographer’s job is done once the event is over, it actually is not. Their work continues once they return home to post-process countless amounts of images, so you can get a wide array of shots, angles and edits to tell a story of your special day. The difference between the low rate and high rate photographer in this circumstance is that with a low rate photographer you are lucky if they even own the latest adobe editing software such as Photoshop CS4 and Adobe Lightroom much less even use these programs to full enhance your best images. With the high rate photographer you are guaranteed they have the latest editing software, are skilled in their craft or have a photo editor on their staff that knows how to use Photoshop and Lightroom as well as their job is to only edit photos. In the end it is worth spending more money to ensure your photographs are the best of the best.

5. Know how to work equipment- Generally a low rate photographer is a photographer that is just beginning and ultimately that can a lot of times mean they do not know how to work their equipment. Now is that someone you want to trust to photograph your special day? I do not think so. Out of focus and sloppy images are not even worth $500. The high rate photographer will undoubtedly have the best equipment and will have had either some sort of technical training through classes of how to work their equipment or they have served as a second shooter in the past gaining knowledge through experience.

In the end paying the pricey rate for the top of the line photographer is beyond well worth it because your special day only happens once and to have it ruined because you wanted to save some money will leave you disappointed and full of regrets.

A little tip to remember is that the general rule of thumb of deciding how much to spend on your photography is to reserve 10% of your budget on the photographer. For example, if your budget is $35,000 then the budget for the photographer should be $3500. Don’t be surprised if you cannot get the kind of photographer you are looking for when all you have is a $800 budget.

Click here to contact us about your wedding and event photography

mintphotography.com

As we all know, photography is a very important element of all great weddings. After all, your wedding pictures will be the memories of your union which you will reminisce over at old age and share with your grandchildren someday. You want to make sure you capture the moments that made your day all so special. The recent press release from Tina of Tina Shah Doshi Photography provides great insider information as to what goes into beautiful wedding photography. She explains that, it is not only about choosing the right photographer but the little things the couple should do which are essential to create lasting memories. The Sari-Clad Bride is very excited to share her tips with you! So read on ladies!

· A few months before the wedding, schedule a couple shoot or studio sitting. According to wedding photographer, Tina Shah Doshi, “sessions prior to your wedding are a great way for your photographer to learn your personality and style.” It’s also a great way for you build additional rapport with your photographer, and get more comfortable in front of the camera lens. Most couples really have not worked with a photographer since their school pictures. Not only will a pre-wedding session get you more comfortable, but it will also prepare you for how the photographer will give you direction on your big day.

· Know your style. Tina Shah Doshi knows how to work with all styles including the traditional, candid, and photojournalistic. Let your photographer know in advance if you have a preference towards one or the other. Keep in mind that great wedding pictures are made up of a combination of all styles. Its important to capture those special emotions and glances that no one else may see, but its important to have a selection of formal and group shots as well.

· Plan enough time for group pictures. Your wedding is a special time for all of your friends and family to come together. Many of them have probably traveled quite a bit to be apart of your celebration. It’s important to schedule enough time during the wedding for group pictures. If group pictures are not planned for accordingly, they may delay your actual wedding day itinerary significantly. Plan for at least 5 minutes for each group picture, and be sure to delegate a family member to gather all of the groups. Since your photographer will not who is who, a family member assisting with the group session will make sure the shots go a lot smoother.

· Plan enough time to get ready. When you, your sisters, your mom, and all of your bridesmaids are getting ready in the morning, this can take a significant amount time. A delay with your stylist can set you behind for your entire day. The last thing you want to feel on your wedding day is rushed. Be sure to schedule enough time to get ready. Plan your day with a few time buffers. Therefore, even if you are running late, everything should work out fine. “You may want to also consider having your photographer there while you are getting ready,” recommends photographer Tina Shah Doshi. Getting ready shots are great part of the story telling aspect of your day.

· Include time for just the two of you. Schedule at least 30 minutes with just you and your photographer. You will want to make sure you get those romantic shots that everyone loves. This session should be a closed session in order to truly capture those intimate moments. No other guests or family members of the couple should be present. This will allow you the opportunity to be more relaxed and comfortable with each other. According to Tina Shah Doshi, “I find many times that these are the most favorite pictures chosen by couples. It’s usually after the ceremony, and they can be the most relaxed if they have a few moments to themselves.” Be sure that your photographer can really take advantage of the location of your event.

· Be comfortable. If you know you have a preference for wearing your hair and make-up a certain way, why deviate significantly on your wedding day? The best photographs are when you look natural and comfortable. Be sure your style on wedding day is who you are. When a Bride is uncomfortable, it will show in the pictures. The more relaxed and comfortable you are, the better your photographs will be.

· Know that nothing goes perfect. “Some of the best photographs I have taken are when the Bride and Groom are smiling and laughing all day,” say Tina Shah Doshi. Don’t let a small mishap with your florist, caterer, DJ, any vendor, or even a guest ruin your special day. “I think because some brides put so much pressure on themselves to make sure every detail is just right, they can get easily disappointed if something goes wrong,” says Tina Shah Doshi. Just know in advance some details may not go exactly as planned, and as long as you set on going with the flow of that day – there is no reason why you shouldn’t be wearing a smile all day long. No matter how artistic a photograph may look through angles, composition, or lighting – a Bride will always look at how she looks in that photograph first. If she is smiling and happy, she is bound to love that photograph that much more.

· Be mindful of how much you drink. Weddings are celebrations. If you want to enjoy a few drinks, just keep in mind your tolerance level. Remember you will be photographed and possibly even videotaped all day. You won’t want to look back at photographs where you appear to have had one too many. Be sure to keep your energy levels up, and have a great time with all your guests. Stay hydrated.

· Be sure your photographer knows your wedding day itinerary in advance. When your photographer knows your itinerary in advance, this will help them to plan better key and creative shots. It will also let them know when they have sufficient time to recharge their equipment if necessary.

· Have a great time. Smile. Nothing is more important than having a great time on your special day. “I tell every one of my couple’s that I am there for them on there special day,” says photographer Tina Shah Doshi. They shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Just be sure to delegate any special tasks, and everything will fall into place. Enjoy your day.

Courtesy of S2S Photography

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.

Courtesy of S2S Photography

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. 

Courtesy of S2S Photography

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.

Courtesy of S2S Photography

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.

Courtesy of S2S Photography

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.

Courtesy of S2S Photography

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.

Jan and Mike of Party Booths! at Dulhan Expo (Oct'09)

Who are you?

Party Booths! (Digital Photo Booth Rentals)

www.partybooths.com

1-866-437-0297

Where are you based?

Party Booths is a Nation Wide photo booth company, servicing the lower 48 states and parts of southern Canada. We also have one international location in Israel. Because we are national, and have locations in every state, we do not charge ANY travel fees, set-up fees, or delivery charges.

What do you do?

We provide photo booth rental services to weddings and other grand occasions. Our services include:

- unlimited use of the photo booth by you and your guests during your specified number of rental hours

- an on-site attendant to set-up, tear-down, and monitor the booth during your rental

- a 1 year web-posting of all images to your private, password-protected web gallery

- a disc mailed to you after the event with all images

- a personalized banner or monogram across the bottom of all index prints

What are the benefits of having a photo booth at a wedding?

It’s fun!

People are amazed how much fun it is. It’s one of those things that once you get into it, and come up with a theme for a session, your mind cannot stop coming up with different things to try. The photo booth gets pictures that other means just can’t seem to capture. That curtain on the doorway seems to be an instigator. Partybooths.com includes in all packages a DVD of all the images taken at each event. This DVD’s images are not right protected, and do not print pictures that say Partybooths.com all over them, they are yours. Partybooths.com also includes in all packages a 12 month password protected web posting. This allows your guests (if you choose) to see all the pictures taken that night a few days after the event. If they want prints of those images, they can get them from our hosting site. This prevents you having an endless list of prints to make for others from your DVD. Partybooths.com also has a photo guest book option. This option supplies double prints on location for each session, pens, glue, and scissors with the premise that each guest will select one of these copies to glue in a scrapbook, and add a note to the guest(s) of honor. This keepsake is priceless. The photos are archive quality, which means they will not fade for years! The photos have also been used as a favor, as post cards (they are 4×6), and as part of the thank you cards sent out after an event. The digital copies have been used on facebook, and myspace sites as well. Partybooths.com is a better option to camera’s on the tables. One of the things with those is people will take a picture they decide are not a good idea and take the camera home with them, so others do not see it. The problem is, other guest’s pictures are on it too. Not the case with a Partybooth – you get ALL the pictures whether they want you to see them or not! This in itself can be fun. Each print has a bar at the bottom, which can be text, or some sort of monogram, there is no extra charge for this title bar.

Party Booths!

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

After being booked for South Asian weddings, we discovered their unique beauty and charm. We then sought out to find a South Asian bridal expo, which covered the New York and New Jersey area.

Why do you do what you do?

It is very gratifying to be part of these very special occasions in people’s lives.

Do you work exclusively on South Asian weddings?

We don’t even work exclusively on weddings. While approximately 80% of our bookings are wedding receptions, we also service corporate events, bar/bat mitzvahs, sweet sixteens, school events, and more.

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

When it comes to the party booth, placing it in a room separate from the rest of the reception activities. Brides should have the booth somewhere where guests can see it from their dining tables, and have their entertainers announce the complimentary photos to the guests.

Do you cater to certain budgets only?

Party Booths tries to cater to all budgets. This is why our booths start at such a reasonable $895, and go up to $1,935. We want to be affordable for more people. All of our literature and web material states our pricing in an upfront, easy-to-understand manner. We don’t “get you” by adding hidden fees after you’ve placed your deposit.

Tell us about your strongest area.

The fact is we are open, honest, and upfront. As you are planning your wedding, you may discover that this is something you don’t see in most photo booth companies, or even most wedding vendors.

Party Booths!

What is your number one wedding tip?

Celebrate your individuality within your wedding!

The Sari-Clad Bride team partying it up in the booth!

courtesy of Yamoni Bari

Who are you?
YB Image
Fine art Photography
Ybimage.com
yamoni@ybimage.com

What do you do?
I am a fine art photographer who recently jumped into the world of event photography. I provide a unique vision through my lens to capture moments in life. My unique style is to capture the event and let the people involved in it be the story.

Where are you based?
Everywhere and anywhere. I live in New York City as well as Detroit, Michigan. I travel anywhere in the states and if possible out of the states.

When and how did you get started in the South Asian wedding industry?
Well it started with friends and family requesting my services. During the planning of my own wedding, quality photographers were very hard to find as well as very expensive. Also being a Bangladeshi, my wedding consisted of many events and long hours which made it unaffordable and next to impossible to photograph my entire event.  Needless to say, I had to compromise quality for affordability and at the end I was not satisfied.

Why do you do what you do?
Photography has always been my escape. I have always been someone who notices detail and beauty in the most mundane things.

Do you work exclusively on South Asian weddings?
Absolutely not, but I do understand them best. Being South Asian myself, I understand the work that goes on beyond the wedding which in my opinion tells a beautiful story which must be captured.

Describe some of your inspirations.
This is a tough one because there are so many things that contribute to why I do what I do. I love life and the beauty that is all around us and I love the way things change because of circumstances. My inspiration is my surrounding.

What are some mistakes you see most South Asian brides (and families) make?
They should always remember that it’s one of the most important days of their lives so they should enjoy it and not stress out. Also, photography is the best way to archive your wedding so every bride should take the time to get to know what type of work the photographer produces and what type of service best suites you.

courtesy of Yamoni Bari

Do you only cater to certain budgets only?
I cater to all who enjoy my work; I offer an a la carte menu as well as many affordable packages.  I also volunteer my services for non-profit and animal adoption centers.

Tell us about your strongest area.
I am not very intrusive. I believe a good photographer captures the event as it happens and tells the story that is happening and not created through artificial means. Though if a client wants a different style I believe I am more than capable of producing the style they desire.

Tell us about your weakest area.
I am a horrible free throw shooter when I play basketball and I have completely lost my dominating gaming skills the past few years…. You didn’t really think I would reveal any weakness did you?

How would you describe your working style?
My ultimate goal is to create a friendship with my clients. I want to be approachable and keep an open line of communication; I truly want the best for my client and will always work towards that goal.

Describe a particularly memorable wedding you’ve worked in.
The most memorable wedding was a wedding which I had full access to all of the bride’s events. I was able to capture intimate moments between the families, the preparations and the dressing up of the bride. It was the most memorable because it was the most fun. I was able to tell a complete story without compromise and it ended up being the most intimate wedding I had covered.

What’s your number one wedding tip?
Enlist a good photographer!! They archive your day so you can view them for the rest of your life.

courtesy of Yamoni Bari

courtesy of Manish Mavani

Who are you?
Manish Mavani
photographybymanish.com
718-454-5182

What do you do?
I am an artist who loves drawing, painting, meditation, music and photography.I love to travel around the world and I am doing different photo projects from my travels around the world. I travel only in winter. In summer I shoot models on weekdays and weddings on weekends.In wedding photography I am able to use the knowledge of lighting and composition which I get from doing travel and glamor photography to create beautiful glamor portraits for the bride and groom.Wedding is very colorful and High energy event.The beautiful positive energy and colors inspire me to do wedding photography.

Where are you based?
I am based in NYC and Allentown PA.

courtesy of Manish Mavani

When and How did you get started in the South Asian wedding industry?
I started out as a travel and glamor photographer. One of my friend who was getting married saw some of my Glamor photography and asked me if I could shoot her wedding because she loved my style of photography.After I did her wedding, I started getting more offers for wedding photography and thats how my career in Wedding photography began.

Why do you do what you do?
All I can say is if your heart is filled with great love and respect for photography your work would give you a great personal satisfaction .The only rule for all artist whether he is photographer, makeup artist, Dj is to do the work out of great love and the day love is not flowing change your career and do something else that you love.

courtesy of Manish Mavani

Describe a particularly memorable wedding you’ve worked in.
I do not think the decoration, venue or how much money the bride has spent on the wedding makes it memorable.What makes a wedding memorable is the people at the wedding. Relating with the bride, groom and there family makes the wedding a memorable event.Every wedding you get to meet wonderful personalities and that makes the wedding unique and memorable.

What’s your working style?
I work out of great love and respect for the art of photography.

courtesy of Manish Mavani

Deanna Sanderson Helsten, an artist, photographer, and a former bride with advice provides The Sari-Clad Bride with the following photography tips:

Unless you have a personal referral from a close friend, finding the perfect photographer for your wedding is about as risky as trying to win the lottery. As a photographer, I have a good idea who is out there (and who should NOT be out there) shooting weddings. I have a few words of advice:

First: Don’t ever let the price determine whether or not you chose a photographer. Fantastic images are priceless. Bad photographs are worthless (or even damaging); but the value the photographer offers may not align with what they charge at all. You MUST see their work. If they cannot show you adequate pictures (ie: albums, slide shows, etc.) for at least five (entire) weddings…consider moving on. Judge the photographer based on their worst photographs…not their best. (Everyone can get a lucky shot once in a while.) If you find a photographer that you love, be willing to spend a little extra. The photographs are the most effective way to capture the memories of your special day. (I personally had a budget wedding, and the photographer cost more than the entire wedding expenses combined. It was worth every penny!)

Second: Experience says a lot. The rule of thumb is: At least 50 weddings makes an experienced photographer. I don’t know that we should hold hard and fast to that rule, but the photographer should at least have a backup camera, have their own lighting source if needed, (You have a bad photographer if they use the little pop-up flash on their camera.) They should bring in a second photographer to help at large weddings (they cannot possibly capture it all), and they should be unobtrusive during the ceremony and the celebration, yet commanding and full of ideas during photo-taking times (preparations, bride and groom, group shots, etc.)

Courtesy of Deanna Sanderson Helsten

Third: You should have communication with your photographer about what kinds of images you expect. An experienced photographer should have a list of the images that are typically captured at weddings. A South Asian wedding will have different needs than a typical North American wedding, but a really great photographer will be sensitive to all opportunities to capture great images, not matter what culture and style the wedding is. (Deanna’s advice: Group shots are really out of vogue. Insist on one really great group shot, and then let the photographer shine and show you their artistic abilities with priceless candid moments throughout the event.)

Lastly: Find your local professional photographers group. Here in my city, the best photographers belong to a group called PPSV, the Professional Photographers of Sacramento Valley. (There are also state and nation-wide groups, but flying a photographer in from out of town may not be in your budget.) These groups are dedicated to improving the craft of the photographers. They meet regularly, take classes to improve their techniques, and even have their work judged. From professional groups like this, you will have a plethora of photographers to choose from. With so many choices, you should be able to find a photographer whose work you love AND with whom you make a personal connection with.

Best to you!

Courtesy of Limon Photography

Limon Photography
(919) 599-8109

sahid@limonphotography.com

Where are you based out of?

Sahid: I am currently based in Raleigh NC, however, I can travel for work to just about anywhere.

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

Sahid: Photography was one of my hobbies growing up.  My uncle was a professional photojournalist for a newspaper in Bangladesh.  I started doing some minor work in high school, and portraits in college, but didn’t pursue it professionally.  I had multiple friends complain to me that they were not happy with their wedding photographers, and what they had received after their wedding. I am South Asian myself, and I noticed that the local South Asian photographers were only about one things–money.  They had very little to no interest in the couple, and their work ethics and service were horrendous.  Though I had never covered a wedding, I knew that I could do a better job than them simply because I cared more for the photos.  One of my friends gave me the first opportunity and asked me to cover his walima. After covering my first wedding-related event, people were not only impressed with the work, but they were quite happy with the final product as well.  I took some time to really understand how weddings worked, and what aspects were important to the couple and the family.  After that walima, I fell in love with wedding photography…and never looked back.

Courtesy of Limon Photography

Why did you choose to pursue photography?

Sahid: Growing up, my parents wanted me to be the stereotypical Doctor, Engineer, or Lawyer that every South Asian parents want for their child.  After all, these fields often lead to very successful careers and a nice life.  However, I am sort of a nonconformist at heart, and I always believed that our generation can break the stereotypes that has been placed over the last few decades.  I believe that we can become successful in whatever field that we have our hearts set on, as long as we have a passion and drive for it.  Growing up, I studied the sciences, and pursued medicine.  I graduated with a BS in Biology, I took the MCAT, I even applied to medical schools and was awaiting various interviews.  However, as much as I like medicine; I absolutely loved photography and I knew that this was what I really wanted to do.  It’s not only my passion, but it’s my calling.  Choosing photography as my career was an easy decision for me, though I can’t say the same about my parents.  Not only do I love learning about photography and all its aspects, I absolutely love going to work and doing what I want to do.  However, at the end of the day, the thing that I love the most about wedding photography  is the expression of the client’s face when they see their images for the first time.  Just the pure excitement and joy they experience is enough for me to do what I do for the rest of my life.

Do you work exclusively on South Asian weddings?

Sahid: I shoot all types of weddings.  However, since I am South Asian, most South Asian couples feel comfortable with me and decide to hire me.  I understand the culture, the rituals, and the ceremonies.  As of now, 75% of the weddings I book are South Asian.

Courtesy of Limon Photography

Describe some of your inspirations.

Sahid: People will often say that their inspirations is some famous person that they’ve never met, and what they once did had an influence on their life.  This is not the case for me.  My inspiration is quite simple… it’s my mother.  I’ve known her my whole life, and she has influenced me more than anyone else in the world.  She taught me the value of hard work and dedication, as well as how a person deserves respect and should be treated.  Saying my mother is my inspiration may sound like a cliché, but the values she taught me is more important in a business than any course you can take in undergrad.  Treat people how you would want to be treated, and they will thank you for it.  Treat a wedding like if it was your own wedding, and the images will turn out great.  These fundamentals are often missing in the real world today, and is the reason why so many businesses are only about making a profit.

In terms of my photography, my inspiration comes from movies and magazines.  I am a big movie buff, so I often try to make my shoots almost have a cinematic feel to it.  I also like the glamor of the magazines, so I often try to incorporate a magazine type look into many of my photographs.  I am not a fan of old school traditional photographs, so I am always trying to push myself to come up with something a bit more edgy, and creative.

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

Sahid: The #1 mistake that most South Asian brides and families will make is not understanding the importance of a good wedding photographer.  Let’s face it, us South Asians love a bargain, and we are always looking for the best deal.  However, the mistake that most brides (and especially their parents) will make is trying to hire a photographer based on their price tag.  A wedding is a very lavish event and will happen only once (hopefully).  It is also the most important day for the bride and groom.  Most parents and families will spend the majority of their budget making the wedding look spectacular, and then hire a cheap photographer to take snapshots that their own relatives could do.  If you are going to invest thousands of dollars on the ring, the dress, the venue, the flowers, the cake, and the food… you really need to invest just as much (if not more) to have a good photographer there to capture all of your investment.  After everything is done, the cake will be cut, the food will be eaten, the dress will go back in the special bag, and the flowers will wilt… but your photographs will be with you for the rest of your life. This is why I always recommend brides and their families to never cut back on a good photographer, since his/her work will always be with you.

Courtesy of Limon Photography

Do you only cater to certain budgets only?

Sahid: I tend to cater to brides who want quality photographs, and are not looking for budget photographers.  I have set prices and packages as well as an A’la carte system.  Usually, I tend to sit down with the bride, and we customize something specifically for her and her wedding.  Every client is unique, therefore every client should have a chance to get exactly what they are looking for.

What is your strongest area in photography?

Sahid: My strongest area is capturing the connection between each couple.  Whether we do an E-session, a couples session, shadi, walima, etc… I try my best to capture what makes each couple who they are.  In terms of photography, I personally think that my strongest area are Engagement sessions, followed by photo journalistic-type shots at the weddings.

What is your weakest area?

Sahid: My weakest area is getting distracted when I’m editing images.  Since I go through every single image individually, it takes me while to get an entire image done.  Any of my clients will tell you, that the time they wait is worth it in the end, since they love their images.  However, I also have the internet when I’m working… and youtube is such a distraction sometimes

How would you describe your working style?

Sahid: I like to describe my working style as almost Militant.  I approach every wedding very strictly and timely, almost like a soldier.  For me, everything has to be precise and perfect.  When I’m covering a wedding, I like to plan everything weeks in advance.  Most weddings, I start planning for it the day the couple sign the contract.  I try to get every detail possible about the wedding as well as the schedule of what will happen when.  I often visit a venue more than once before the wedding, just to see the conditions of light, and what I would have to do.  Everything is planned precisely, and there are backup plans to everything planned.  My goal is to have the bride stress free, so she looks her absolute best in the pictures.

Describe a particularly memorable wedding you’ve worked on.

Sahid: A memorable wedding I’ve worked on recently was a lavish Bengali wedding in New York.  You can read more about it, as well as see some of the images, here: http://jpgmag.com/stories/12187.

What’s your number one wedding tip?

Sahid: Never stop smiling on your wedding day… and a good photographer is well worth the money you invest in them.

mintphotography.com

You walk into a photography studio and you’re amazed by the blushing beauties that adorn the walls. Your heart races with envy–you want to look like those dimpled brides on your own wedding day and you’ll do everything to achieve that. The photographer sits you down, you start looking through the glossy albums and you don’t care how much this guy rips you off, you want your wedding to be captured exactly like this.

STOP!

Don’t get sucked in so fast. Here are 8 questions you must ask your photographer before you sign on the dotted line;

1. Does the package include photo shoots? Some couples choose to have a photo shoot either before or after their wedding. This can be either at the hall or at a different location such as outside the hall, at their home, or at a park. Some photographers include this with their deals while others may charge extra for the few additional hours they have to work on top of photographing your wedding.
2. How many albums will you receive? Some photographers offer 1 album for the couple with 1 or 2 parent albums which are usually smaller than couple’s album. You may choose to duplicate the couple’s album for both your parents and in-laws, which will cost more than the parent albums.
3. What type of album will they provide? With today’s technology, you have many choices for your album. So far we know of about 3 types of albums: the classic or removable album, library bound album and magazine style or storybook album.
4. What kind of picture finish they offer? With some photographers, you can opt to have your pictures with a matte or glossy finish. Although glossy looks much brighter and has a more “shiny” feel to it, they tend to collect more dust over time as well as fingerprints. Matte is of course a little dull, but it still looks beautiful and stays clean.
5. Will a CD with all the original photos be provided? This is usually a standard protocol but you may request additional copies or make them yourself once you receive the CD.
6. How many pictures and what sizes are included in the package?
7. How long will they take to complete the album and other requested photography?
   
8. Do prices and packages vary according to season? Prices offered by photographers vary from wedding to wedding depending the season, the day of the week, time of day, and how far ahead you book them as well as what you want from them. So these “base” prices are usually up for negotiation. Almost every photographer is willing to work within your reasonable budget.