India's most sought-after wedding photographers tell us how it's done

Brides Today: Congratulations on completing 10 years in the wedding industry! Please share the moments that stand out as milestones, and what went into becoming one of India’s most sought-after group of photographers.

Siddharth Sharma: It’s unreal that it’s been a decade. The memories from our first wedding in 2014 are still fresh in my mind. We started very small. At a time when there weren’t any planners, we used to carry lots of fairy lights and reach the venue at 3am to put them up at the mandap just to get a better backdrop for the ceremony.

After doing photography for a while, we started with films, which was a huge milestone for us as it changed the whole wedding scene in India. We were probably the first ones to combine nonlinear storytelling with cinematic visuals. Before that, wedding films were template-based, all made in the same format. We dismantled that template, and I can say with absolute surety that this was a significant milestone for us as well as the Indian wedding industry. 

BT: What are your key learnings from all these years behind the lens?
SS: I always say that three things hold the key to everything: learn, adapt, and evolve. Commit to at least five years to learn and hone your craft. Understand it deeply. Arm yourself with enough curiosity to learn all there’s to know about your area of expertise. There will be sacrifices, late nights and sleepless nights. But your passion and zeal will take you through it. And that’s when you’ll have a solid foundation to stand upon.

BT: How do you envision bringing a couple’s story to life?
SS: For us, the beauty and glamour are in their smiles, the laughter they share, the tears they surreptitiously wipe. The quiet connections. The unspoken vows. And we approach it as such. Our aim has always been to capture a couple’s story and their love, irrespective of the surroundings and the brands they wear. They are our only focus. The backdrop becomes beautiful because they are in the foreground.

BT: How do you direct the more camera-shy bride and groom for their shoots?
SS: It’s never been about fitting the couple in a scene. It’s always been about highlighting them and their truest, rawest expressions. This helps our camera-shy brides and grooms to never feel the pressure with us. We don’t make them do anything that’s unnatural for them. We let them be, and the magic just happens.

BT: List the elements that make for the best photos.

SS: We focus on evoking warmth in our photos with a sense of timelessness, so that even after decades, a look at the photo will transport you right back to the moment. That happens with capturing the emotions in their most genuine form. A tender touch, a shared look of love, a wink sent her way, a concerned look as she wipes a tear... These are the elements that add warmth to a photograph.

BT: Candids make the best photographs at weddings. How do you ensure you’re around to capture special moments?
SS: Couples are opting for non-traditional wedding photography that allow for more spontaneous moments. They’re waving goodbye to stiff poses and staged shots. Instead, they want candid shots that capture the unscripted laughter, heartfelt hugs and stolen kisses that define their love story. The only thing that works for us is to acknowledge and respect the personalities of the couples we’re shooting and not force our style on them. We try to adapt to their taste; hence, our work is not based on templates and varies significantly from one wedding to another. During the shoot, my goal is to keep everything as natural as possible, allow the couple to be themselves and capture their raw emotions and candid moments.

BT: Is there one moment that you look forward to capturing most?
SS: One of the most powerful moments at weddings is the first time the bride and groom see each other in their outfits. The anticipation is electric, filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. Capturing this raw emotion is a true privilege. It’s a favourite moment for any photographer.

BT: What are the most beautiful locations you’ve visited for your projects? Which were your favourites among them, and why?

SS: Unquestionably, Dubai is one of our favourite locations for photography. Its varied scenery, including the breathtaking Hatta mountains and the alluring desert, offers a variety of backdrops. Additionally, lavish locations, including Dubai’s extravagant buildings like Al Seef and The Palm form great tableaus. We also had the opportunity to capture a wedding in the glamorous setting of Monte Carlo, adding to our list of remarkable and upscale destinations we’ve worked in. The first Indian wedding to ever take place in Jordan was one of the most unique ones that we shot. Another memorable event was shooting at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which was particularly special because not many people get a chance to shoot inside it.

BT: In terms of how the final images turned out, do you have any favourites among all the celebrity weddings that you’ve shot?
SS: Professionally speaking, capturing Luv Ranjan and Alisha Vaid’s wedding marked our first experience capturing a celebrity wedding. However, the love we got for our work at Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor’s wedding was overwhelming for us. And it was this wedding that allowed us to expand our reach and connect with a broader audience.

BT: What do you love about being behind the lens? Besides wedding photography, which other kinds of photography do you enjoy?
SS: There’s a certain magic that happens behind the lens. Photography is experimental and anything that sparks creativity and pushes your artistic boundaries is particularly appealing. For me, it’s about capturing fleeting moments that become cherished memories. While weddings hold a special place, on a personal level, there’s nothing quite like capturing the raw emotions of your kids—moments that become even more precious when revisited later. I love clicking my own children a lot!

BT: Your advice to new wedding photographers trying to make their mark in this industry.
SS: Learn, adapt, and evolve. Focus on mastering your craft. Develop your unique style. Constantly evolve, and build strong relationships with your clients. Chase authenticity, consistent practice and continuous learning. Fan your passion for storytelling.

This piece originally appeared in the October-December print edition of Brides Today India.

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