by I strongly believe that Indian lesbian wedding photography is a great opportunity to show and celebrate love; love that blends the vibrant traditions of Indian wedding with personal and intimate moments of the couple’s relationship.
I also believe that it is high time that we move towards acceptance and visibility of same-sex relationships in India and I am a big advocate of capturing the essence of these special ceremonies.
As the country has slowly and gradually started embracing this diversity and inclusivity, being able to capture these love stories through my camera and help the couple tell their love story has been a privilege for me.
My approach to Indian lesbian wedding photography is a little different from Indian traditional wedding photography because I know that at an Indian lesbian marriage I am not just taking photos but capturing a unique story and it must blend the traditional Indian rituals with the contemporary elements of our modern world reflecting that love is the answer we have been looking for all our life.
Whether I am taking story style lesbian wedding photos of the couple in their traditional attire or capturing the candid moment of joy and support from family and friends, I try to preserve the vibe of the day in every picture that I take.
In simpler words, whenever you do a lesbian couple photography try to create pictures that celebrate their journey, culture, and the love they share.
The Changing Landscape of Indian Culture
Understanding how much Indian society has evolved in its attitudes toward LGBTQ+ relationships is essential.
I remember years ago when I was initially hesitant about what some would call “unnatural relationships.” However, recognizing that everyone deserves to love and be loved helped me shift my perspective.
This shift in my thoughts has made me more open and accepting, allowing me to do Indian lesbian wedding photography more authentically.
I remember, a few years back in 2022 I was hired by Priya and Kavya who found me through my blog. They wanted me to capture their wedding because they liked the way I think and my approach towards Indian lesbian wedding photography.
They were convinced that I can capture their love story the way they want it to be captured. When I met their families I was really delighted to see how the families have embraced their love for each other.
The ceremonies beautifully showed how love can bring tradition and modernity together. The joy in the eyes of the couple was so evident when they exchanged the garlands and vows. I did my duty of capturing their special day without any judgement allowing them to celebrate and be themselves.
As a photographer I have to travel all over India and in recent years I have literally witnessed the journey of the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in India and it has made me more passionate about creating lesbian wedding photos that genuinely reflect the unique bond that the couple have.
I have also found that since I have started to approach each couple with an open heart I am able to capture lesbian marriage photo moments that truly resonate with them and their loved ones.
Now that I have accepted the LGBTQ+ community for who they are I have realised that this cultural shift has been nothing but remarkable and is a testament to the power of love and inclusion.
The Essence of Indian Lesbian Wedding Photography
If I had to tell about Indian lesbian wedding photography to someone who is doing their first such shot, this is what I would say to them, “Indian lesbian weddings are a vibrant mix of tradition and personal flair and capturing the unique essence of these ceremonies requires an appreciation for both the rich cultural heritage and the intimate moments of the couple.”
If you can understand just this simple thing that I told you, you’ll have no issue whatsoever when capturing a lesbian marriage.
Think of documenting lesbian wedding photos as an unique opportunity that allows you to capture traditional elements of a wedding like henna and sarees with the couples’ unique style.
Your goal as a photographer must be to ensure that the photographs you take tell the story of their special way the way they envisioned it and having an understanding of their culture will help you a ton in doing so.
We live in a vast country with each part having a different culture, if you want to understand about how different cultures in our country approach weddings. You can check out my article on Bengali wedding photography, Telugu wedding photography, Tamil wedding photography and Marathi wedding photography
Key aspects of Indian lesbian wedding photography:
- Cultural rituals: Incorporating traditional customs such as mehndi, sangeet, and pheras.
- Personal touches: Capturing moments that showcase the couple’s unique personalities and tastes.
- Family and community support: Highlighting the love and acceptance from family and friends.
- Intimate moments: Photographing genuine moments of connection, laughter, and love between the couple.
When working with couples, always make it a point that you discuss their vision with them and already know in advance any specific moments they want to be captured
This open dialogue will help you ensure that your photography aligns with their expectation and also save you from any future problem that you might have to face otherwise (that is if you would have not been aware of some specific moment that the couple wanted to be captured and you missed it).
Key Moments in Indian Lesbian Wedding Photography
Since we are already discussing moments let’s touch the topic in a little more detail. When photographing Indian lesbian weddings, there are several special moments that you must focus on if you want to tell the story of the couple’s special day in a special way.
Here are some of the key moments I prioritise:
- Preparations: Documenting the couple getting ready, including traditional attire and accessories.
- Ceremony rituals: Capturing key rituals such as the exchange of garlands, sacred vows, and other traditional customs.
- Family and friends: Showcasing the love and support of the couple’s loved ones, creating a sense of community.
- Candid moments: Photographing genuine moments of joy, laughter, and intimacy between the couple.
I remember attending the wedding of a lesbian couple, Anjali and Meera, this time as a guest and not as a photographer. But god knows that we photographers are always looking for moments that we wish we could have captured. The same happened with me!
There was an incredible moment during their wedding ceremony when their families decided to join them in a traditional dance, the joy on everyone’s face was so evident and it could have made a memorable highlight of the day (only if the photographer and the videographer they hired cared to capture that moment)
Capturing these spontaneous moments will create for an authentic lesbian wedding pictures and an album that will reflect upon the celebration. Make sure that you don’t make a mistake like them. It’s not like they were not working but they got busy in some other part of the venue and completely missed this spontaneous action.
Here’s a table of some additional special moments you must focus on during Indian lesbian wedding photography:
| Special Moment | Description |
| Post-Ceremony Fun | Capturing the couple’s playful and relaxed moments after the ceremony. |
| Quiet Reflection | Documenting private moments of reflection and togetherness for the couple. |
| Celebratory Rituals | Photographing any unique rituals or traditions the couple incorporates to celebrate their love. |
| Group Photos | Coordinating group photos with family and friends for lasting memories. |
The Role of the Photographer in Indian Lesbian Weddings
As photographers, our responsibility goes beyond simply clicking the shutter button—it’s also about creating an environment for the couple where they can be comfortable and feel inclusive, an environment where they can be truly themselves.
Understanding the couple’s. Unique story of how they met, when was it first that they knew that they were in love with each other, who took the first step, what all crazy adventures they have done together, what are the things they feel comfortable in doing, etc will help you tailor your approach to meet their expectations.
By building a rapport with the couples you can capture their lesbian wedding photos in a way that reflects their personalities and love.
Your key responsibilities as a photographer:
- Sensitivity and respect: Ensuring that the couple’s wishes and comfort are always prioritised.
- Open communication: Discussing their vision and any specific requests they may have for their lesbian wedding photography.
- Creating a safe space: Making the couple feel at ease so they can express themselves freely in front of the camera.
- Attention to detail: Being mindful of every moment and cultural element, ensuring no aspect of their special day is overlooked.
One instance that stands out is when I worked with Sunita and Radhika. They were initially nervous about the photoshoot and it’s not a big deal, this could happen to the best of us.
In such a situation you have to maintain your professionalism, don’t say anything that might make them more nervous like “arey bass 2 minute ki baat hai”, “Koi nahi dekhega”, etc. You might think that you are helping them but the chances are that you are making it worse for them.
Instead take the time to understand their concern and build a comfortable environment, this is exactly what I did. I talked to Sunita and Radhika about what was bothering them and they said, “we are not feeling comfortable getting the shoot done near the stage”.
So I took them to another part of the venue that had only 1 or 2 workers working there. I asked them if I could have the place for the next 15-20 minutes and they also agreed.
Now the couples were relaxed and also enjoying the experience, this made the resulting lesbian couple photography all the more special.
My approach to lesbian wedding photography includes a lot of communication with the couple so that I can create an atmosphere of trust and ease for them.
This allows me to capture the beauty and authenticity of the couple’s love, resulting in photos that they will cherish for a lifetime.
Conclusion
Indian lesbian wedding photography highlights the progress we’ve made in embracing love in all its forms.
As someone who takes photos for a living, I capture lesbian wedding photos that show a beautiful blend of tradition and modernity.
Embracing diversity in my work has deepened my appreciation for the richness of each couple’s unique relationship. By celebrating these moments, we as human beings contribute to broader acceptance of same-sex relationships in society.
Through my lens, I always aim to preserve the love and authenticity of these special moments as cherished memories.
In my parting words I would request everyone to honour and celebrate love in all its beautiful forms.
A message for all the Indian Lesbian Wedding Couples
If you are looking for a photographer who can capture your wedding day the way you have imagined it – without any judgement, without any hesitation then I’ll be glad to have a word with you.
I know our country is still a little slow to accepting LGBTQ+ marriages and finding a photographer for your marriage can be a little hard but no worries I have got you.
You can drop me a message on my WhatsApp or call me directly at +91 6393168551 and schedule a meeting.
I’ll be more than happy to discuss your needs and come up with a tailored plan for your lesbian wedding photography.
I’ll catch you in the next article, until then capture the world one frame at a time.
This is your host for the day, Mihir Soni, signing off.
Peace out.