Are you really getting married if you don’t have cinematic shots of you walking towards the groom in your full wedding regalia with flower petals artfully strewn around you and the light hitting you just right? If Instagram is to be believed, then no, you’re not.
We’ve all seen, and swooned over, wedding films and photographs of celebrity couples like Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani or Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor and wished for our own special day to be captured forever like that. If you deny it then you’re a liar or have a solid rock in place of a heart. It has to be either of the two, we don’t make these rules.
Wedding photography has seen a dramatic evolution over the last few years, with social media playing a big role in that. Siddharth Sharma, founder of House On The Clouds AKA the photography studio responsible for covering most of the big celebrity weddings recently, agrees with this.
“We are living in a social media age where wedding decisions are frequently impacted by what is popular online. Brides today have access to a plethora of inspiration, refined ideas and better awareness of their preferences for wedding photos,” he says, “Their vision and aspirations can be expressed with greater precision thanks to their improved clarity, which guarantees that their wedding photos reflect their own preferences and style.”
Aside from the fact that he has been an integral part of many celebrity weddings that have unofficially set the template for what wedding photography looks like now, Sharma’s utter fascination with the ritual and everything that it entails makes him an expert, if we can say so ourselves!
“My ultimate goal has always been to make timeless photos & films that continue to speak to the audience decades after they were first released, generating a sense of unaffected vibrancy and sentimental nostalgia as if the events had taken place only yesterday,” says Sharma, on being asked what led him on this unconventional career path, “I embrace the uniqueness of each love story, rejecting rigid patterns and preconceived assumptions in the process, making sure that every movie or picture brilliantly captures its essence. I try to bring newfound energy and unmatched distinctiveness to the field of wedding videography & photography.”
More recently, Sharma and his company captured the sheer joy and love present at Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha at their engagement ceremony and, as has been abundantly mentioned earlier here, he has also photographed celebrity weddings like Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor’s or Alanna Panday and Ivor McCray’s. The question had to be asked: Is photographing a celebrity wedding very different from photographing a non-celebrity wedding? “There is undoubtedly an added level of anxiety both before and after a wedding. However, when it comes to shooting the event, there is no distinction between a celebrity wedding and a regular one,” he shares, “Whether the couple is famous or not, their expectations from a wedding photographer are remarkably similar. They desire to have their emotions and the essence of their special day captured in a natural and an authentic manner. This common expectation transcends the differences in status and reminds us that, at the heart of it all, weddings are about treasured moments and genuine connections.”
But while the aforementioned celebrities are used to having cameras pointed at them as part of their day jobs, it’s not as usual for regular couples to pose for photographs that look straight out of a Dharma movie on steroids. Sharma says it all boils down to research (and a healthy dollop of trust).
“For ‘celebrity-like’ wedding images, there is no set method or norm,” he says, “Finding a wedding photographer whose work you really connect with is crucial. Spend some time researching, then pick a photographer whose style you like. Once you’ve decided on a photographer, put your faith in their abilities and offer them the opportunity to experiment. They will document real moments and provide images that are true to you. Your wedding photography should be an accurate reflection of you two as a couple, evoking enduring sentiments that are special.”
However, he has a few hacks that could help you get there easily. “Weddings can sometimes be stressful, and that stress can be evident in your photos. It’s important to try and remain stress-free and genuinely enjoy your wedding day. Avoid scheduling too many events on the same day, as this will allow you to look fresh and give your photographer time to recharge.”
He adds, “The overall aesthetics of your wedding also play a significant role in how your photos will turn out. This encompasses elements such as the decor, location, attire, and lighting. Having a skilled stylist on board can make a big difference in enhancing the visual appeal of your wedding, resulting in more beautiful photographs. The quality of your wedding photos can be enhanced if you pay attention to these elements and create a visually appealing ambiance.”
Future brides, are you taking notes?
