I fall short of words to describe how much these two are in love with each other. I met Apoorva and Krishna almost 8 months before their big day. I did a pre-wedding couple shoot for them a few weeks earlier. After those lovely pictures it was time to capture the the most important day of their lives, with their families and friends; A Two States wedding 🙂
I was photographying the Saneet and ring ceremony solo. My assistant Ravi was helping me with the lights – holding either a flash or a video light as the situation demanded. After a quick ring ceremony, came the real event everyone waited and prepared for so hard. Some super awesome dance performances by sisters/brothers/friends on both sides. The real show stopper was the dance by our handsome groom himself. Apoorva was so impressed she could stop herself and the two did an impromptu dance together. The party went on till late in the night.
I and my second shooter Nirmalya started early next day. The mantap was being setup when we arrived at Arham Bhavan in Vijayanagar. I am glad Apoorva hired the wedding planning services of Kirti Samant (facebook page Weddings by Kirti). She is super talented and equally down to earth person. I started with Apoorva’s makeup and getting ready shots while Nirmalya was covering it for Krishna. The wedding was to happen as per Kannadiga customs but Krishna who is a Marwari, had plans to have a proper North Indian style baarat where he will arrive on horse back.
A couple of ritual packed hours later, we get some time with the couple. We snap some quick shots before they too join the family for food. We finally wrapped the day with some fun games for the couple.
Apoorva, Krishna, with you both happiness and love forever..
The venue for the ring ceremony and Sangeet at The Club off Mysore road, Bangalore
Apoorva being groomed by the makeup artist Ramya Hanumasagar (facebook page makeover by Ramya). The room had just one small light behind her high on the wall. I had my assistant direct the flash at 1/32 on her while under exposing the ambient. It was not posed. The 2 faces opposing each other and the makeup artistst’s shawow makes it an interesting composition.
Bride in her makeup and evening lehenga
Apoorva and Krishna await the ring ceremony to start. They booked The Club on Mysore road, Bangalore for the evening.
Krishna’s cousins and friends had put together an awesome show. This is one such dance on Govinda’s Raja babu song. As the lead dancer jumped, I clicked him in mid air
This lovely performance by Apoorva and Krishna and the confette goes off..
Krishna is lifted up by his friends as they dance after the ring ceremony
Kirti (weddings by kirth) is very good with what she does. The mantap and its decor was simple yet elegant.
as Apoorva’s makeup reached the final stages, I was called in her room. The position she was in was probably the most difficult to get a good shot from. Little light from the front window and no light from her back. This is with my flash at 1/4, f2.2 backlit, and the light wrapped around her creating this soft glow
The makeup artist was wearing a white top and it was perfect reflector for the flash behind Apoorva
Once she was ready Apoorva had less than 5 minutes to step out and go for gowri pooja. I wanted a full length. The window was the only light rource. It was tricky as there was direct sunlight and no curtains or screes to diffuse it. There was no time to move the furniture around for a cleaner background. This is with the bed headrest and the curtain holder as leading lines. Flash at 1/64 for kicker.
bride arrives for the wedding lifted up by her uncles
bride and groom stand before the sacred fire and make offerings to it to solemnize their wedding vows. The flash as back light and the smoke gives a pleasant twist to this image
the seven phere around fire
as family and friends watch, the bride and groom go seven times around the fire. Each round is a prayer to God for the good of the couple and their families
Krishna applies kumkum on Apoorva. This and a few others are defining moments of a indian wedding. Loose this and its not coming back. My assistant with flash at 1/16th hiding the flash behind her. Main light was a halogen video light from the videographer. Without my flash, they would simply merge with the dark background.
At the end of the rituals lasting half a day, the couple was very tired and very hungry as well. Only time for couple portraits as everyone else is having lunch. Though its a bit harder for me to get the expressions I wanted on an empty stomach.
Couple right behind the mantap and the marigold flower curtain. Back light was my flash held by my assistant and main light was a video light of the videographer.
The couple walking down stairs. Flash gelled with 1/4 CTO from camera right to light the bride.
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