Christian Wedding Photography –  5 Thing You Must Know as an Indian Photographer

When it comes to Christian wedding photography, I’ve found it requires a different approach compared to the Indian weddings I’m used to. Indian weddings are known for their vibrant, elaborate celebrations but Christian weddings on the other hand I must say tend to be more formal and subdued with unique customs and traditions of their own.

As wedding photographer and our job requires us to keep learning just like that of a lawyer but unlike them we don’t have to read books about law but we have to learn about the culture of our client, their tradition and understand what makes their culture unique from ours so that we can provide them with a service they are happy and satisfied with.

Christian weddings have some beautiful but different rituals than that of a traditional Indian wedding, rituals like communion or the solemn exchange of vows and rings – they provide for us to capture some really stunning shots.

Knowing these traditions comes in hand and allows us to plan our shots better and capture these key moments that hold so much meaning in the christian tradition.

I have spent years if not decades learning about the details of all the different cultures around the world and by the end of this article, I hope you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Christian wedding photography and how to navigate it with respect and creativity. 

So let’s dive in and explore the world of Christian wedding photography together!

Differences Between Indian and Christian Weddings

I am assuming that you are an Indian wedding photographer reading this article, since most of my articles are targeted towards the Indian audience. So I would like to start the article by stating some key differences between our and christian culture to set the stage for the article.

When doing Christian wedding photography, it’s really important to recognize how Christian ceremonies contrast with Indian weddings. 

The differences extend beyond the ceremony length and formality; the cultural nuances in attire, rituals, and celebrations are also quite distinct and we will talk about all of it. Better prepared than sorry!

Now I know as Indians we have seen weddings since our childhood that span over a period of a few days and involve a lot of vibrant and colourful ceremonies. Well that’s just not the case with Chritian weddings, they have a much shorter timeline which often is just one day.

This change of pace affects everything – how you plan your shots, how you approach your photography, etc as you need to capture all the key moments in a much condensed period than you are used to.

Well let me make it easier for you and give you a table stating the crucial difference between a traditional Indian wedding and a christian wedding.

You can also check out my article on Bengali wedding photography and Marathi wedding photography to understand how different their culture is.

Here’s a quick comparison table to highlight some of the unique differences between Indian and Christian weddings:

Point of Difference	Indian Wedding	Christian Wedding
Attire	Vibrant, colourful traditional attire including sarees, lehengas, and sherwanis, often with intricate embroidery and jewellery.	Formal attire, typically featuring a white gown for the bride and a suit or tuxedo for the groom. Minimalist jewellery and accessories.
Venue	Outdoor settings for photography such as gardens or large banquet halls, or grand indoor venues with elaborate decorations.	Church setting with a solemn, sacred atmosphere, often with religious symbols and architecture.
Rituals	Variety of traditional ceremonies spanning several days, including mehndi, sangeet, and baraat, with lively music and dancing.	Focus on vows, prayers, and rituals like communion and the exchange of rings, with emphasis on the sacred nature of marriage.
Music	Loud, energetic traditional tunes for dancing and celebration, including dhols and bands.	Subdued, reverent hymns or classical music, often played on an organ, piano, or strings.
Dance Style	Cultural dances such as garba, bhangra, and other regional styles that involve guests and the couple.	Elegant, sometimes ballroom dances like the first dance, with a focus on grace and intimacy.
Food	Diverse and lavish spreads including multiple courses, regional specialties, and elaborate desserts.	Simpler, more traditional meals such as a seated dinner or buffet, with a focus on the couple’s personal tastes.
Wedding Party	Large, vibrant guest lists with extended family and friends, lively celebrations, and extensive bridal parties.	Smaller, more intimate gatherings with close family and friends, emphasising a solemn and sacred union.

Now that you have an understanding about the difference between the Indian culture and Christian culture, there is one more thing that you might want to learn about. The landscape of the world is changing and the LGBTQ community is getting accepted throughout the world.

You can check out my article on India lesbian photography to get an idea of how to approach LGBTQ wedding photography.

Understanding Christian Weddings

Okay so now that we have set the stage and know that the Indian wedding and the christian wedding are way different from each other, let’s understand a little more about Christian weddings and how to make the most out of your Christian wedding photography.

So I am what most people will call a “xenophile” – such a fancy term, right? Well it simply means a person who has interest foreign people, places, and customs.

When I was looking into the Christian culture I realised that to excel in Christian wedding photography. One has to have a good understanding of the christian traditions and ceremonies.

Christian weddings have a special way of focusing on the sacred union of the couple. The wedding puts a lot of emphasis on the exchange of vows and rings and obviously can not forget about the important prayers and blessings. This solemn and sacred atmosphere requires a sensitive approach to photography.

Like mentioned befores, the ceremony itself is usually held in a church and always includes prayers, readings and hymns which you don’t want to miss capturing but do so respectfully.

Depending on the denomination, there may be special rituals such as communion or unity ceremonies that require even a more discreet and thoughtful approach. 

It’s always a good idea to plan in advance about all the different angles you are going to capture the exchange of vows and rings – they are central to the ceremony and allow you to tell the complete story of the couple.

Another essential aspect of doing Christian wedding photography as an Indian photographer is respecting the couple’s faith and beliefs. 

Always focus on highlighting the couple’s connection and capture the emotions that they share during the ceremony.

Having an understanding of the significance of the church setting and its role in a christian wedding will help you to create beautiful and meaningful. Images for the couples and their families.

You can also understand about Tamil and Telugu cultures by reading my article on Tamil wedding photography and Telugu wedding photography.

Preparing for a Christian Wedding Photoshoot

Now that the stage is set and we have a good understanding of Christian culture let’s get into the nitty-gritty of preparing for a Christian wedding photography day.

When preparing for a Christina wedding photoshoot, you goal should always be to balance creativity with the respect for the ceremony’s tradition. Before the couple’s big day always make sure that you familiarise yourself with the church and the venue where the wedding will take place.

This will help you to know the lgihting sources available at the venue and you’ll also get to know the layout of the venue allowing you to the best angles and compositiong for your photos.

In any wedding whether it is an Indian wedding or Christian, communicating with the couple is crucial. Always schedule a meeting with the couples beforehand to discuss their vision and in this particular case any specific Chrisitian wedding photography poses that they have in mind and also discuss any restriction that the venue might have.

Having this conversation with your couples will help you create a plan that aligns with their expecations.

To ensure a smooth photoshoot, I always make sure to:

• Scout the Venue: Understanding the church layout and available natural light sources wiill let you prepare for different scenarios.
• Discuss Important Shots: Ask the couple about specific moments they want you to capture, such as the exchange of vows or prayers and what vibe do they want it to be in.
• Respect Religious Traditions: Being aware of and honoring the couple’s religious customs is crucial for capturing their wedding authentically.

Follow the above mentioned points and you’ll find that your Christian wedding photoshoot went just as smoothly as your Indian wedding photoshoots go.

By preparing thoroughly and keeping open communication with the couple, you can approach the Christian wedding photoshoot with confidence and create images that capture the essence of their special day.

Capturing Key Moments During Christian Wedding Photography

In this section, I am gonna talk about some precious moments in Christian wedding that I bet you don’t want to miss.

I believe tha capturing key moments in Christian wedding photography requires you to have an eye for those special moments that adds an emotional touch to the story.

Looking for moments that highlight the couple’s love and commitment as well as the signicance of the occaison for all their family and friends is a challenging but rewarding task.

If you keep an open eye you’ll find that the ceremony itself offers you numerous opportunities for powerful and memorable shots.

Pro Tip: Always keep your eyes wide open and observe all your surroundings, you may find some great shots in a spontaneuous non-scripted moment.

Some powerful shots may include pivotal moments such as the exchange of vows and rings, the prayers and the blessings. Also capturing candid emotions like the bride and groom’s joy and tears make for a beautiful and powerful photo.

I am sharing a list of some of the most important and crucial moments in a Christian wedding that you must try to capture when doing Christian wedding photography to add that layer of depth and emotions in your photos.

Key Moments	Description
Procession and Entrance	The bride walking down the aisle, and the groom’s reaction.
Exchange of Vows	The couple’s heartfelt promises to one another.
Exchange of Rings	A symbolic and beautiful moment in the ceremony.
Prayers and Blessings	Capturing the solemnity of the sacred prayers.
Communion or Unity Ceremony	These special rituals hold deep significance for the couple.
First Kiss	A classic moment of celebration between the newlyweds.
First Dance	Another classic moment of celebration where the bride and groom share the dance floor.
Candid Family Reactions	Genuine emotions and pride from loved ones.

As famous modern photographer Steve McCurry once said, “If you wait, people will forget your camera and the soul will drift up into view.” This is especially true in Christian wedding photography—waiting for those candid moments can reveal the most beautiful and honest images of the day.

Challenges and Opportunities

Now let’s deal with the elephant in the room and discuss some of the challenges that you might have to face at a Christian wedding photoshoot and obviously every challenge brings in opportunities in disguise and we will discuss those as well.

When doing Christian wedding photography, you’ll find that there are challenges unique to the Christian tradition and ceremonies. 

For example, adjusting to the pace and formality of the event can be somewhat of a trouble, especially if you’re use to the more vibrant and fast-pace style of Indian weddings.

Not being full aware of the Christian culture can be another big challenge, if you fail to respect the sacred atmosphere and the couple’s beleifes whil capturing the key moments – you’ll look like a bum.

Some of the challenges you might have to face include:

• Limited freedom of movement: Churches often have restrictions on where you can stand during the ceremony, so planning shots in advance is crucial.
• Low lighting conditions: Many churches have dim lighting, which can be challenging for capturing clear, crisp images.
• Timing constraints: Christian wedding ceremonies can be short, so you must be quick and efficient in capturing essential moments.

I firmly believe in finding opportunity in every situation and Christian wedding are no different for me. If you see it with my eyes you’ll find that Christian wedding photography offers unique opportunities to expand your skills and creativity.

Here are a few opportunities that you must utilise:

• Creative use of space: Churches provide beautiful backdrops and architecture for stunning portraits.
• Capturing candid moments: The solemnity of the ceremony creates intimate, emotional moments that can be incredibly touching.
• Focus on storytelling: The traditional aspects of Christian weddings allow us to tell a deeply personal and meaningful story for the couple.

By taking up on these challenges and utilising the opportunities you’ll find that your work in Christian wedding photography is both rewarding and enriching. Through these experiences, you’ll grow as a photographer and expand your perspective beyond what you can imagine. You’ll find new ways to capture love and connection.

Conclusion

Doing Christian wedding photography will teach you the importance of adapting to the different cultures and traditions around the world. Each wedding that you do presents you with an opportunity to grow as a photographer and challenge yourself to capture the couple’s special day in a way that they want it to be captured.

Doing Christian wedding is also a great way to expand your portfolio allowing you to cater to a completely new set of clients, which means you can possibly generate business worth several lakhs if not crores from this new set of clients you get access to.

I know money is important however your primary goal should always be to honour the couple’s faith and beliefs and not money. You must find creative ways to tell the couple’s story.

This requires a combination of thorough preparation, open communication, and a respect for the sacredness of the ceremony. 

The crux here is that your approach to Christian wedding photography must be about capturing the couple’s love in a way that feels genuine and heartfelt.

A message for Christian brides to be and grooms to be:

If you are a Chritsian couple looking for someone to capture your Christian marriage, the way you envision it then I’ll be glad to be of help.

You can schedule a meeting with me by dropping a message to me on my Whatsapp or even better directly call me at +91 6393168551.

I’ll be delighted to have a word with you, understand your vision and come up with a plan to make your vision a reality. Visit my website mihirsoni.in to get an idea of my work.

A message for professional wedding photographers:

If you want help with your Christian wedding project or if you are full with your dates and are looking to outsource an additional date then feel free to connect with me at +91 6393168551.

You can drop me a message on Whatsapp or call me directly, I’ll be more than happy to discuss further.

I’ll catch you in the next article, until then capture then capture the world one frame at a time.

Your host for the day signing off.

Peace out.