Wedding photographers in Chennai: pre wedding photoshoot including candid photography

—The secret we all want to reveal – who is the best wedding photographer in Chennai?

—The one who can change his/her perception to match that of his clients' for every single client that he/she handles.

—What should future newlyweds pay attention to when looking for a wedding photographer?

—1. If your photographer is going to take the time to learn your story and personalise your wedding.
2. If your photographer is personally going to shoot the wedding or send someone from his team to do it as if it were a plumbing or electrical job.

—What makes wedding photography different from other photography genres?

—In advertising or fashion, we don't need to identify with our clients' emotions or values, we only need to concentrate on our 'art' and deliver where as in a wedding, only art will not suffice, you need to be aware of your clients emotions and their needs so that you know what to look for when you are photographing. Eg : If your bride is camera shy, you should know inspite of being a 'great photographer/artist' who makes brilliant portraits, you cannot ask your bride to strike a pose, instead you might have to follow a more photojournalistic approach to create a great set of images. The difference being – Every wedding will have different needs, the light, techniques and brilliance of how you make great images are all secondary to human emotions and human connections.

—Whom can you name as people you respect and admire most?

—For their commitment to their Work :
Grace Coddington
Anna Wintour
Annie Leibovitz Mr. Iqbal Mohammed for his kindness and that smile that could melt away all worries, for being a patient teacher, for opening my eyes to the wonderful world of light, for teaching me and a million other people humility.My Mother – Subha Murugaiyan – For the unconditional love and ever echoing words of encouragement. My Father – Murugaiyan – For being patient through out my struggling years and always telling me ' Money is secondary – it is passion/work that comes first 'Vivek – Best Friend & Co-founder of Altar Narratives – For picking up all the pieces of me after every emotional mess and putting it back together, for the shared love and commitment for work, for the endless conversations about everything under the sun from photography to art to philosophy to politics.

—In your opinion, should your parents have been more or less strict to you as a child?

—I wouldn't change a thing. They put me on a long leash, where I could make mistakes and learn from them. They refrained from imposing their socio-cultural values ( In the past, women photographers in India were unheard of or very rare – Working women or ambitious women were also a rarity, and especially in smaller communities Women were to be married off at 22) and let me follow my dreams and supported me when I was a struggling photographer/artist.

—What is there in your work that brings you joy?

—The idea that we personalise every wedding. No couple that comes to us today will have the same picture as the couple that came to us in the past. Every wedding we undertake to photograph will strive to be different in one way or another. We don't just shoot, we go to their best days, become a part of their families, and give them a piece of perspective of their big day from our eyes.

—Do you like travelling?

—Love, Love, LOVE travelling. Both Vivek & I have lived out of suitcases for months in our separate careers as commercial photographers and in our combined career as photographers for Altar Narratives. Every one of those trips hold a special place in memory and in our memory cards. ;)

—What are the key elements that make a photo attractive?

—Emotions. I always fail to appreciate a photograph where emotions are missing. You may have the best locations, light, perfect bodies, attire, and sculpted faces, but if you fail to capture the emotions and feelings of the moment in the picture, then that photograph is NG.

—Is there anything that worries you? What & why?

—Yes, Social media. I think most people take validation from social media and not from their seniors in the field. Back in the day, we used to find mentors, now people find followers and validate themselves instead of looking for opportunities to learn.

—How did you start working in the wedding photography field?

—Well, Vivek & I were doing our undergrad in Visual Communication and we were both working as assistants/interns for Commercial/Advertising photographers. The very first wedding assignment came to us, through a neighbour of mine, who saw some of the pictures that we had shot and asked for us to photograph her wedding. We had a ball and she loved the pictures, both Vivek & I concentrated on our careers as advertising photographers and after having shot multiple commercials, decided to take the plunge professionally into Wedding photography through Altar Narratives after non-stop the requests from the people we knew.

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a wedding photographer capture?

—Hands – Sometimes when brides or grooms or their close family members are tense or excited, they express it immediately with the way how their hands are held or placed.

—What would you have preferred to learn before becoming a photographer?

—Client management/ Business administration.People always assume to becoming a successful photographer you need only skills in photography, but people management and communication skills amongst others are extremely vital.

—Do you believe in the superstition that a photo replicates the soul of the pictured person?

—Haha. No! A person could think the most vile and cruel things and still look absolutely stunning in pictures. Take Trump for example, they gave him a white suit and made him look like an angel in one of his early shoots.

—Do you believe in the traditional gender roles?

—If I did, I would be serving supper and cleaning up after an over grown man-child and worrying about how the decorations in the living don't match the furniture. Not that being a homemaker is wrong, but its not for me.

—What is success to you? How can one measure it?

—When the path of being an artist leads to a comfortable life where you can produce art the way you see it as opposed to producing work that you do not resonate with in the name of art -for money.

—How do you spend your leisure time?

—Entertaining my kitten recently is how I've been spending most of my leisure time in the past three months.
Prior to that, I try and workout, binge- watch Grey's Anatomy

—When are you totally satisfied with the results of your work?

—There is always room for improvement. I mean, I would love to produce work like Annie Lebovitz some day, and I would love to have the artistic mind of Grace Coddington.

—What cartoon, film or book character would you become if you had a chance?

—Storm from X-men
Miranda Precisely from The devil wears Prada
Christina Yang from Grey's Anatomy
Jules Austen from The Intern
Arya stark from Game of Thrones

—Imagine that you can travel back in time. What would you do differently?

—I would have not-learned photoshop. I still don't like the idea of photoshop( except for advertising/fashion assignments), although I am considerably good at it.

—What key message are you trying to convey with your pictures?

—That there is a picturesque frame in every cramped, dim-lit room, that there lies a raw, unflinchingly real, beautiful moment in every chaotic scenario

—Is there anything in your work that you treat as prohibited "tricks"?

—I don't like making my brides cry just to drive some emotions into their pictures. I would rather make them laugh and take happy pictures

—How do you deal with criticism?

—Ignorance is bliss, as they say. When I do get directly approached, I'm not one to back out of a response for barbed jokes

—What are your plans for tomorrow?

—I have a client meeting regarding an advertising shoot – details of which I am not allowed to disclose at the moment.

—What makes a photo valuable? What are the key features of a great photo?

—Beyond all the technical aspects that make a good photograph – it has to mean something to the bride/groom.

—What makes you continue shooting?

—The search for perfect visuals that become legacies and windows to the past decades later

—What is absolutely unacceptable when taking photos?

—Non-cooperation – from both photographers and/or clients and Using phones on shoots.

—Have a best-loved joke? Share it with us!

—Donald Trump as President – America is kind enough to share him with the world

—Do you shoot wedding photos only?

—Nope – Im a commercial (advertising and fashion) photographer

—Are there tendencies in wedding photography?

—Generally, nope, but there are exceptions everywhere.

—Can you specify whom would you love to shoot?

—Anyone who values our work and trusts our process

—What's better – when you are liked or are respected?

—Respect. Always, did I not mention Anna Wintour ?

—What mistake in your professional experience you treat as the biggest one?

—Age and knowledge are not directly proportional.

—Who is the 21st century symbol to your mind?

—Jerry & Mellissa Ghionis
Susan Stripling

—What side of you do you never show to the public?

—That has to remain unwritten, won't you agree?

—What person in your life is your muse & source of inspiration?

—Grace Coddington & Anna Winter from Vogue

—If you have a chance to shoot a movie, what genre will you choose?

—Revolutionary/Eye opening/ Feministic/ EPIC

—Do you believe in life after wedding?

—With the right person, why the hell not?

—Life is great thanks to:

—Me? Can I take credit somewhere, please?

—Give some advice to a wedding photographer who is a beginner.

—Hang in there, and work on your craft.

—What moment in your life you treat as the most significant one?

—The day Vivek or I win a Pullitzer

—What thing is the silliest one you've ever agreed to do?

—Nothing that I want to recall :P

—Can you imagine what wedding photography will be like in future?

—Well, hopefully less selfies ;)

—Imagine aliens come to our planet. You are the first human they meet. What would you tell them?

—Go back and take me with you!

—How do you improve your photography skills?

—By learning new things every

—When travelling, what do you usually take with you & why?

—Headphones & Kindle.

—Is there anything in your work that you don't like or even hate?

—Not as of this moment.

—Is there life in the Universe?

—Aren't we living it?

—Is it easy for you to make friends?

—Yes, almost always.

—What would you prefer to change around you?

—One too many things

—Do you look good in pictures?

—Yes. Absolutely!

—Whose works made an impact on you as a wedding photographer?

—Susan Stripling

—Where would you prefer to live?

—New York !!

—Do you hate anyone or anything? Who or what?

—Lizards.

—What would you alter in yourself if possible?

—Patience

—What would you prefer to change in the world?

—Equality

—The most troubling thing in life is:

—Desire?

—Cats or dogs?

—Both!

—First and foremost – whom can you name as the best wedding photographer in Chennai? :)

—This is tough question to answer since best is a relative term. But of the photographers whose work I have come across I like the work of Anbu Jawahar for its sheer simplicity.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a wedding photographer?

—Books I've read, movies I've watched, people I have met and loved, places I have been too, stories I have heard and countless other experiences that have moved and expanded my thinking...these remain my most abiding influences. Very few of these fall under the category of 'someone's work' but almost all of them are labours of love for the people who have created, nurtured and valued them.

—What will be the future of wedding photography?

—I believe that wedding photography will evolve into the art of capturing people on not only their wedding day but at other important milestones in our lives, like the birth of a child, the 60th birthday of a parent, a golden jubilee anniversary and even the passing of someone dear. The fine art of capturing people along with their friends and families on their big day has only shown us the possibility of using the very same style to record the other days in our lives that have the same significance as our wedding day, but those we dont think about documenting with the same degree of commitment. Combined with the unprecedented access to high end imaging tools, I believe the candid and people centric quality of wedding photography will percolate into every part of our lives, making everyone photographers and every event worth photographing.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—18 years of having always had a camera at hand and the most joyful part of being a photographer is still going over the images. As someone who cut their teeth on manual film cameras, I still remember the anticipation of seeing a contact sheet and the joy of making prints. Even today, I come back from a wedding, often exhausted but exhilarated at the thought of all the images that I have shot and cannot wait to see on a screen.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—I look to be inspired by everything outside of wedding photography and indeed photography itself to train my mind. I watch, read and learn from photographers to sharpen my eye and technique.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—Working with two full frame bodies while standing on my feet for 12 or 14 hours often makes me wish that some of the equipment I love using were lighter.

—How do you handle criticism?

—I tend to see it as feedback as long as its given constructively and with consideration to the listener.

—Do you believe in the traditional roles for men and women?

—No. I am not entirely sure what traditional roles mean since they differ so widely from place to place.

—How did you get into wedding photography?

—I have shot weddings of friends and family for years before it first occurred to me to take it up as a profession. From a single picture taken at my best friend's engagement on a film camera over a decade and half ago to whole weddings I have shot only for my own sake, I'd say I am a photographer over being a wedding photographer. As it happens, weddings make for ideal hunting grounds for creating amazing images.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—The challenge and joy of seeing something through my eyes and my current point of view

—What should be the criteria for a bride and a groom to choose their wedding photographer?

—The same criteria one would use to make a new friend, decide to spend two days of your life, share a room or take a weekend trip together. Once that is figured, things like budget, deliverables and the rest of the finer details can be arrived at.

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—The intensity and sincerity of the emotion being captured, light and timing.

—Can you give a few tips for wedding photographers who are just starting out?

—Being original is more important than being successful.
Good equipment while necessary, is not mandatory. Sincerity and the absence of judgement on the other hand, are absolutely imperative to being a wedding photographer.

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—The ability to exercise everyday. No matter where I am and what I am doing.

—What is special in wedding photography?

—Being able to capture people in their intimate spaces and while they go through a plethora of emotions that comes from being surrounded by almost everyone they love.

—Do you believe that you replicate the soul of the person you are shooting?

—No, i think that is too high a responsibility to have or a claim to make.

—Are there any trends in wedding photography?

—One often comes across lighting styles, props, actions and locations that repeat themselves in many people's work. Not sure if this qualifies as a trend though.

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—Changes with every subject. every picture and who I am in a given moment

—Are you photogenic?

—I am waiting to shoot a couple of self portraits before I decide.

—Who are your heroes?

—Anyone who considers themselves active co-creators of their life

—Do you make friends easily?

—Depends entirely on the people I am making friendships with

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—Something I was uncomfortable about doing until today

—How do you define success? How do you measure it?

—The freedom to do whatever I want, to me, is success

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—Completely, seldom.
Occasionally, often.

—Is there life after marriage?

—Sure, there's life after death too!

—The best thing in life is:

—That there is always tomorrow

—What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

—Sincerity is everything.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Having a strong opinion

—What would you like to alter in the world?

—The levels of empathy

—What about life on other planets?

—Exists for sure

—What's the side of you that the public never sees?

—The grumpy side

—If you are called to shoot a movie, what genre will it be?

—A dark comedy

—Where would you like to live?

—On an island

—Do you take nothing but wedding photos?

—Does anyone?

—Are you fond of travelling?

—Intensely.

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Read

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—Both