Tamil wedding photography in Chennai
Reception in the evening, wedding the next morning. Two days that run in opposite directions, with most of the rituals packed into the morning of the second.
We're Rohan and Puja. Over 500 weddings since 2013, a good part of them Tamil weddings in Chennai, at kalyana mandapams, temples, hotel halls and gardens across the city.
We know the order of the morning, so nobody has to tell us what's coming. Every ritual gets documented properly and the faces around it get watched at the same time. The muhurtham is fixed to the minute and we're in position long before it. The traditional photographs your parents want are planned in advance.
One wedding a day, never two. Both of us lead every wedding and shoot alongside our own team.
The reception
The evening before, and the biggest crowd of the two days. Stage, a line of guests, both families meeting properly for the first time.
Long hours in lighting that is rarely built for photographs, followed by an early muhurtham. We plan the two days as one stretch with a short night in between, so nobody is running on empty when the thaali is tied.
Panda Kaal Muhurtham
The bamboo pole, the puja, both families asking for the days ahead to go smoothly. Usually on the eve of the wedding.
Small, quick and mostly elders. It's where we start getting to know your family.
Nichayathartham
The engagement, gifts exchanged, both families properly together.
It's also where we learn your family. By the muhurtham we know which uncle expects to be in the frame and which grandmother won't come forward unless someone asks her.
Janavasam and Mappillai Azhaippu
The groom arrives in procession, the aarathi is done, the bride's father garlands him and brings him in.
It moves, there's music, and there's a crowd around him the whole way. One of us stays with him, the other works the family waiting at the entrance, because that's where the anticipation shows.
Kanyadaanam
Your father gives you away.
We're on his face. The ritual is already covered in the wider frames, and this moment is not coming back.
Muhurtham and thaali kettu
The nine-yard saree from his parents, the kumkumam, the thaali with the first two knots from him and the third from his sister. Nadaswaram and getti melam loud enough that nobody can be directed.
One attempt, fixed to the minute. We're set before it starts and we don't move through it.
Maalai Maatral
Garlands exchanged, both of you lifted up, everyone shouting.
Nothing here is still and nothing is repeated, so it's shot fast and from more than one angle.
Oonjal
The swing, the songs, the women circling.
One of the few stretches of the morning with time to work properly, with the family close enough to be in frame naturally. A lot of what your parents eventually put on a wall comes from here.
Ammi Midithal and Saptapadi
The stone, the seven steps, the promises.
Low, close and small straight after the loudest part of the morning. It needs a different position from the muhurtham, and it needs it immediately.
Nalangu
The games, both families finally relaxed, everyone laughing at the two of you.
Always part of the coverage. The photographs from this half hour are often the ones couples come back to, because nothing formal is happening.
The traditional photographs
Your parents want the full set, properly lined up, grandparents seated in front and we make sure it’s taken care of!
