Through a different lens

Indian weddings,with their riot of colours and elaborate rituals are among the most photogenic in the world. It isn’t surprising that many shutterbugs from abroad are looking for an opportunity to photograph such a ceremony in all its over-the-top glory. “There are no two identical celebrations — it could be a Hindu,Jain,Catholic,Muslim or Sikh ceremony. That keeps me excited and I always arrive at the wedding with a fresh eye,” says the France-based Christophe Viseux (christopheweddingphoto.com). He adds that he tries to get to know the families and guests well before photographing them.

For these photographers,it’s more than just documenting an event; it’s the opportunity to engage with a new culture. Photographers like Viseux and Chuah register themselves with associations such as Wedding Photojournalist Association,where they are listed according to their regions of interest. Indians,looking for the perfect wedding pictures,often seek them out here and from their websites.

In the portfolios of these photographers,alongside pictures of the bride and the groom,are pictures of the music band that plays with the baraat,and relatives gossiping on the sidelines. A bored child stares meditatively and in another,a young girl sobs during the bidaai. It’s these moments that complete the wedding experience.

While the sights and sounds make any Indian wedding a great photo opportunity,more prosaic reasons also dictate the decision to shoot here. Emanuele Capoferri (emanuelecapoferri.eu),who lives in Italy,says,“India is a developing country,with a very strong growth,unlike Europe where the recent crisis has been felt in many levels of society. So I think that looking to other markets,particularly when they’re as large as India,can be a way to grow,not only professionally but also financially and personally.” And it’s usually a pleasant and rewarding experience. Italian photographer Vittore Buzzi (wedding-photographer.it) likes how thorough Indians are when making enquiries. “They have a clear idea of how they want to appear in pictures and they try to act accordingly. They are not shy in front of my lens,” he says.

Usually,Indian couples,who hire the foreign photographer,also hire local photographers to cover the events,in order to please parents and relatives with more conventional pictures. “Then,they have a second photographer such as myself,focusing on the more candid shots. Those are the ones they will cherish for a lifetime,” Viseux says. Chuah says that the idea is never to take work away from the local photographers. “We are just an addition to the bride and groom for more journalistic photos. So the local photographers are still there doing their work,taking portraits and shooting the rituals.”

As for the wedding itself,it’s thoroughly enjoyable for the photographers. Chuah recalls getting so involved with a baraat,that he soon found himself dancing with them. “Indians are vibrant and full of energy. As a photographer who is documenting the wedding,these moods,expressions and the happiness are priceless,” he says.

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