Professional Marathi Wedding Photography – 9 Best Practices

When it comes to capturing a professional Marathi wedding photography my first priority is to blend the timeless elegance of Marathi people with an authentic representation of their culture. 

I feel that Marathi wedding photography is about preserving the vibrant cultural traditions and unique moments that make each marathi wedding special.

From ceremonies like the SakharPuda to the lively marathi Sangeet ceremony, every function offers an opportunity to create cherished memories.

The most satisfying and rewarding part for me in a marathi wedding is blending in with the festivities and capturing candid and natural moments that the couple and their family appreciate. 

Moments like the bride laughing with her friends or the groom’s reaction during the Mangalashtak are what make these marathi wedding candid photography truly special.

Now this article is divided into two parts, one part of the article (just the immediate next section) is for brides to be and grooms to be and the rest of the article is for professional wedding photographers. 

So if you are a bride to be or a groom to be then read the next section and you are done and if you are a professional wedding photographer then you can skip the next section and start reading from the second section of the article.

Choosing the Right Photographer For Professional Marathi Wedding Photography

This section will be of great help for brides to be and grooms to be who are looking for  professional Marathi wedding photography. When choosing a photographer for your marathi wedding photoshoot, you must check the experience and cultural familiarity of the photographer.

As a photographer myself, I know how important it is to capture the wedding the way you want it to be captured while respecting your tradition.

Therefore I want you to choose a photographer who could give justice to your wedding, someone who is familiar with your tradition and someone who gets your vision for your maharashtrian wedding photos.

When selecting a photographer, keep these key points in mind:

• Portfolio Review: Look at the photographer’s portfolio for examples of their marathi wedding photography. Check if their style aligns with your vision and if they capture the cultural nuances well.
• Communication: Discuss your expectations and preferences openly. Clear communication with your photographer will help avoid any misunderstanding and you can convey your vision which will result in a more effective execution.
• Cultural Awareness: Choose someone who knows the customs and traditions of a Marathi wedding. Your photographer must know the sequence of events that unfold in a marathi wedding.

Here’s a table outlining important considerations when choosing a photographer for a Marathi wedding:

Aspect	Description
Experience	Look for a photographer with experience in marathi wedding photography poses. Familiarity with the customs and traditions is essential.
Style	Check their portfolio for examples of marathi wedding photoshoot to see if their style aligns with your vision.
Flexibility	A good photographer should adapt to various lighting conditions and event timings.
Communication	Clear communication ensures the photographer understands your expectations and can capture your vision.
Trust	Build a relationship with your photographer so you feel comfortable around them, which leads to more natural photos.

By focusing on these key aspects you can find the right wedding photographer to capture your Marathi wedding the way you envisioned it. Now if you are a bride to be or a groom to be, this is it for you. You won’t get much value by continuing reading the article, the rest of the article is for professional wedding photographers. 

If you are a photographer reading this, then let’s start with the real deal and learn about the best practices that you must follow for executing a professional Marathi wedding photography.

Client Communication and Collaboration

It’s not just the couple that have to establish clear communication with the photographer but we (photographers) also have to establish a strong and clear communication with our clients (the bride and the groom). 

As photographers, we have to bring life to the couple’s vision for their wedding day. I always work closely with the couple to discuss their expectations, the important moments that they don’t want to be missed and any other specific preferences that they might have for the shoot.

You must discuss things like –

• What type of Maharashtrian wedding couple photography do they want? 
• What couple marathi wedding photography poses are they comfortable with?
• What are their set expectations with their Marathi marriage photo?

Discussing these questions with them will save you a lot of time and help you to plan their marathi wedding photo shoot in a more effective way.

Here are some key aspects of my approach to collaborating with clients:

• Initial Consultation: This is where I get to know the couple, their style, and their vision for the wedding. We discuss the timeline, shot list, and any particular requests they may have.
• Ongoing Dialogue: Keeping in touch with the couple throughout the planning process helps me stay aligned with their expectations and allows me to offer guidance if needed.

I remember during one of my consultations, a bride and groom wanted me to incorporate a mix of traditional and modern elements in their couple wedding photos. By maintaining an open and clear communication with them I was able to provide them with exactly what they wanted – a blend of classic poses and candid moments that captured their big day perfectly.

Understanding Marathi Weddings

I have said it before and I’ll say it once again “Understanding the culture and the timeline of your couple’s wedding event is very crucial for a successful wedding photography career”.

For executing a remarkable marathi marriage photography you must know about the meaningful rituals and customs of a marathi wedding like the SakharPuda, Kelvan, and Seemant Puja which set the tone for the celebration. 

As a photographer, you must make sure to respect these traditions and capture them authentically. Missing any moment of these events can result in a missed opportunity of what could have been a great photo.

Each of the ceremonies comes with a unique character of its own and I find it essential to capture the emotions, vibe and the atmosphere that each of these functions brings – 

• The exchange of sugar packet and coconut and coin during SakharPuda,
• The heartfelt blessings during the Seemant,
• The joyful interactions at Kelvan and,
• The exchange of vows to the Saptapadi

By immersing yourself in the traditions and rituals of your couple, you can document the special moments that make maharashtrian wedding photography so memorable. Every part of the wedding day deserves attention and it is your duty to preserve these cherished moments.

You can also check out my article on Bengali Wedding Photography and Telugu Wedding Photography to get an idea of how different culture affect your approach to photography

Capturing Candid Moments

Doing marathi wedding candid photography is very important to make the most out of your Marathi wedding photography. Capturing the genuine emotions and interactions just adds so much depth to the story.

I would go to say that “These spontaneous shots often tell the story of the wedding day in a way that staged photos can never do”. Whenever I do candid wedding photography I always aim to blend into the celebrations so that I can capture these natural moments discreetly and my f2.8, 24-70mm helps a lot.

Here are some tips I follow to capture beautiful candid moments:

• Stay Observant: Keeping an eye on the festivities allows me to capture intimate and heartwarming moments as they unfold, like the groom’s expression during the Mangalashtak.
• Be Patient: Waiting for the right moment to take a shot often results in the most memorable candid photos. A smile, a shared glance, or a joyful tear can make for a stunning photograph.
• Move with the Crowd: By blending in with the guests and becoming part of the celebration, I can capture moments without interrupting the natural flow of the event.

Moments like the bride and groom sharing a glance or a touching family interaction make for an authentic and warm wedding photo. They often become images that the couple and their families treasure for decades to come.

Pro Tip: Try to create candid moments even when you are doing a staged marathi couple photoshoot, you can do it by asking the couple to do some activity.

Showcasing Decor & Outfits

When photographing any traditional wedding, you must always pay close attention to the decor and the attire. They have a rich cultural significance!

In a Marathi wedding, the Nauvari saree for brides and the Dhoti-Kurta for grooms have always been an iconic aspects of the day, when doing marathi bridal photo make sure to capture the intricate details of the beautiful Nauvari saree that the bride is wearing. 

Just by doing this simple thing your marathi dulhan photo will get another layer of depth in it.

Similarly, the decor also plays a key role in any traditional wedding, it sets up the atmosphere for the celebration.

Marathi weddings often have – 

• Vibrant rangoli patterns, 
• Colourful torans and 
• Elaborate floral arrangements 

which add a unique touch to these weddings. 

Make sure to capture these elements as they will allow you to showcase the couple’s dedication to their cultural heritage and their personal style.

Pro Tip: Always take close-up shots of the bride’s jewellery and accessories, it allows the couple to remember every detail of their bid day.

The Role of Traditional and Modern Elements In Marathi Wedding Photography

If you want to do professional marathi wedding photography then blending traditional customs with modern styles is a key aspect of achieving it. In my experience, mixing classic cultural aesthetics of a traditional wedding with the contemporary photographic techniques can create striking images that truly resonate with the couples.

A fellow photographer (Vishwash) once told me, “Finding the right balance between tradition and modernity in a wedding shoot is like mixing the perfect cocktail—it needs the right proportions for it to be just right.” This advice rings true specifically when it comes to photographing Marathi weddings.

Try incorporating innovative approaches. Maybe find a unique angle during the Varmala ceremony or get a creative maharashtrian wedding look couple photo against a traditional backdrop. These touches will make your photos truly memorable and special but remember respecting boundaries is very crucial.

Adapting Lighting Techniques

Lighting plays a crucial role in all types of photography and a Marathi wedding photography is no exception. Good lighting can enhance the beauty of the photos and also help you capture the atmosphere of the day as it is, giving your photos a raw and real feel.

If you are aspiring to be a great photographer, you must know how to work with varied lighting conditions whether it is a bright outdoor ceremony or a dimly lit indoor reception, you must know how to navigate these situations effectively.

Here are some ways I adjust lighting techniques to ensure optimal results:

• Natural Light: I use natural light whenever possible, especially for outdoor rituals. The soft, diffused light during early morning and late afternoon creates a warm and inviting ambiance.
• Artificial Lighting: For evening or indoor events, I bring in artificial lights to supplement the setting. I diffuse my lights using a diffuser (Mostly an octabox with a honeycomb filter). This allows me to control shadows and highlights for a more polished look.
• Balancing Lighting: Balancing natural and artificial light is key to achieving consistent and pleasing results throughout the event.

Check out my article on Outdoor Wedding Photograhy for Couples to get a better understanding of how to shoot in outdoor conditions and check out my Night Romantic Pre-Wedding Photography article to get an idea of how to navigate your photos in low-light conditions.

Here’s a table outlining some common lighting conditions and how I approach them:

Lighting Condition	Approach
Outdoor Daylight	Use natural light and adjust position to avoid harsh shadows.
Indoor Evening	Incorporate soft artificial lighting for a balanced look.
Mixed Lighting	Balance natural and artificial light for consistent results.

Being able to adapt to different lighting conditions will allow you to capture the emotions of the wedding the way you want to, no matter the setting the the time of day you are shooting at. By knowing how to use lighting correctly you’ll make sure that the couple look their best and your photos tell a beautiful story.

Celebrating Timeless Memories With Marathi Wedding Photos

When doing a professional Marathi wedding photography, composing your shots and creating a beautiful frame that shows a timeless elegance in your pictures is a must.

Each moment of the wedding and detail must come together in a harmonious way to create a memorable experience for the couple and their family members.

I always try to capture the cherished and beautiful moments of every wedding that I do so the couple can look back and relive their special day.

Here are some ways I approach preserving timeless memories:

• Careful Composition: You look around and you’ll find that everything in nature is balanced and just like everything in nature, each photo must have balance and rhythm. I focus on composing shots that include important elements while maintaining visual appeal.
• Attention to Detail: Details make all the difference – specially the small ones. Many a times we as human beings ignore small details but as a photographer you must never make this mistake. Always capture every detail, even the smallest one. It makes a significant impact on the overall story.

Post-Wedding Edits & Album Design

People think that our job as a photographer is done after the wedding day, but they are dead wrong – The real work starts after the wedding day.

After you are done with you professional Marathi wedding photography, you’ll often find that your photos have much more potential and post-wedding editing is essential to refine these photos and bring out the full potential that each photo holds.

For each wedding that I have done, I have always gone carefully through all the photos and enhanced their colours and details making sure that the photos live up to their full potential. Yes, it’s a lot of work but in my opinion it’s worth it.

Next, comes designing an album that tells the story of your marathi wedding shoot in a chronological order so that the couple and the family can relate to each ceremony and relive it. 

Again communicate with the couple and understand their vision and preference for their wedding album, do they want a traditional design ? A modern design? Or something that is a mix of both.

After you have a clear vision for the album, go ahead and design it.

Pro tip: Assign small tasks like these to someone else, someone who is much better than you and you focus on doing what you are better at. BRINGING IN MORE BUSINESS.

Conclusion

As we wrap up, I would like to say that professional Marathi wedding photography can be fun, challenging and exciting work. Through your photography always try to honour the couple’s tradition and their unique vision.

Capture each and every detail of the wedding from vibrant rituals to candid moments, these elements when come together make a beautiful visual story.

I encourage couples to seek photographers who can deliver stunning photos and bring their vision to life.

If you want to connect with me to consult regarding professional Marathi wedding shoots, you can shoot me a DM or call me at +91 6393168551. I’ll be more than happy to consult your needs and vision and turn it into a reality. You can check out my previous wedding projects here: Professional wedding photography work – Mihir Soni.

By documenting your special day authentically and artistically, I aim to provide you with a collection of images and video that will be cherished for generations.