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In conversation with Bangalore based photographer Raj RJ on his intimate wedding experience and being in front of the lens
Wedding Photography & Films, Wedding Planning - Jul 7, 2020
Wedding photographers are the unsung heroes who make even the most camera-shy couples look and feel like celebrities in their wedding photos. But what happens when a camera-shy wedding photographer gets married himself?
In a candid conversation, WeddingSutra Favorite – Raj RJ shared his experience of being on camera as a groom. His wedding was an intimate and low-key affair with less than 50 guests. Capturing all the special moments in evocative frames was Journeys by Ram, and showcasing Raj and Swetha’s love in a film was WeddingSutra Favorite – The House on the Clouds. Read on to know more.
1. As a wedding photographer, how did you feel about being in front of the camera?
“Every time I would go live on Instagram, I felt conscious of seeing myself and talking, but as a groom, being on camera beats all those experiences. The first time Sid took his camera out for the haldi function, I felt extremely self-conscious and had a tough time looking and feeling natural being captured on film. However, Ram and Sid eased me into it and soon I started enjoying the experience. It did give me a better grasp of how camera-shy people feel, and how they can be helped to look and feel great in their wedding photos.”
2. How did you manage social distancing at your wedding? What measures did you take to ensure safety?
“We followed all the government guidelines. The intimate haldi ceremony just had 15-20 close family members and friends, while the wedding saw a total of 50 people. Masks and sanitizers were kept around the venue for people to use. Also, we had a couple of mobile restrooms next to mandap for people to wash their hands regularly. We also asked all our guests, including close family members to be vigilant and responsible about their health, and not attend if they were feeling even remotely ill to ensure the well-being of everyone else. We are very grateful that they graciously and willingly accommodated our request.”
3. What were your most special moments from the wedding?
“From shopping with masks to taking all the safety measures to pull off a wedding during a pandemic in 10 days, everything was an experience. There were a lot of special moments, but the best moment was when I saw Swetha as a bride for the first time.”
4. One of the things a bride and groom look forward to on their wedding is dressing up like a princess and prince. Tell us about your wedding outfits.
“Since we had only 10 days to pull off the wedding, our priority was the venue, food, decor, photography and videography, which we finalized in the first couple of days. From the third day up till the wedding, it was all about finding our perfect outfits. Traditionally, we wear white and gold ensembles for the nuptials. Abhishek, the owner of Vijaylakshmi Silks, helped us find the perfect white and gold bridal saree for Swetha, while my ensemble was from 108 Bespoke, Malleshwaram. Since I didn’t want to wear the typical South Indian wedding attire, I opted for a bandi jacket, kurta and pant set with a traditional white and gold color combination.”
5. Scaling down pre-planned preparations and tying the knot in the current reality is a testament to true love. What would you remember the most from the experience?
“Being a wedding photographer, I have always encouraged my clients to put the stress of getting a perfect wedding on the back burner and enjoy the precious moments. The most memorable thing for me about our low-key wedding was how relaxing the whole experience was. For me, it was a blessing in disguise as the intimate celebration we had with just our loved ones was what I had always wanted. For me, this was absolutely my dream wedding, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Summi Farms, Bangalore
Wedding Planner: Wedlock Weddings by Vima
Groom’s Outfit: 108 Bespoke
Bride’s Outfit: Vijayalakshmi Silks
Makeup: Swank Studio
Food: Ram-Laxman
Photography: Journeys by Ram and Rimi Sen Photography
Videography: The House on the Clouds
