As I was going through some archived files, I started remembering some of the first weddings I ever photographed. The very first one was just a few months after I bought my first digital camera, a Canon 10D. I was second shooting for a photographer who did on site photography and printing, his final products included photos in frames.
It was not only my first wedding as a photographer, it was also his. We had a great time and had one truly unforgettable experience: a guest took his photos (probably digital, we didn’t ask) to be processed while we were shooting the formals, and we arrived to the reception to see guests already looking at prints of the ceremony.
I’d love to post some photos of my first wedding here, however, the contract that the main shooter had with bride and groom did not allow any online publication.
Luckily, I am permitted to post photos I took from the second wedding I was second shooter at, and they are here on this entry. This was the first Indian wedding I had ever attended in any capacity. Their location, The Decathalon Club, in San Jose, was transformed by beautiful colors and sights.
As I learned from this event, a wedding can be filled with mixed emotions. Though the families were happy for the union, there was some sadness in the “losing a daughter” concept that is felt by the bride, Sarah’’s family. It was truly a sacred and serious occasion for many of the guests and participants, as seen in the bride’s face above, and the faces of the groom, Rami, and his parents as they are showered by flowers at their entrance below.
Gold and red were prominent colors in the wedding. I was especially captivated by all the beauty of the intricate details worn by Sarah.
Rami’’s grandmother even got to play a role in the ceremony. She couldn’t keep her smile off her face, even at this serious moment.
In this wedding, as was true of many Indian weddings, the bride and groom did not pose for a lot of photos together. However, you can truly see the love between Sarah and Rami even in this moment in the ceremony.
Since this wedding of years ago, I’ve had the opportunity to shoot some other Indian ceremonies as well. I’ve really appreciated all the unique and ornate details they have in them.
by Danielle Stolman
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