Have you ever wished for a sharp checklist that will help you photograph the
beautiful Kerala traditional temple weddings? Or are you a soon-to-be-wed who
like to stay prepared for your amazing temple wedding photography? So that you
can stay stress-free or even suggest some super-cool poses with your loved one!
We have prepared an insightful checklist just for you. Our list is equipped with some
interesting tricks and beginner-friendly trips for wedding photographers to ace
their temple wedding documentation. Not to mention, the amazing insights from
Kerala’s number one Hindu wedding photographers have also contributed to the
curation. So, make sure to stay focused while we take you through an eye-opening
virtual treat!
1) Capturing the Divinity
Dedicating a good chunk of time to capturing single portraits would surprise you with
exciting outcomes. Hence, try to reach the venue early enough to bag a few snapshots
with both the bride and the groom. Oftentimes, Kerala traditional temple weddings
happen early in the morning.
And, this allows the photographer to plan some amazing Kerala bridal portraits
with respect to the lighting and venue details. Poses like praying before the idols and
taking a slow walk through the Pradakshin pavements are some easy yet graceful
ideas to try for the portraits. Clearly, you can plan these sessions before or after the
‘Thaalikettu ceremony’ as per the comfort of the couple.
2) Precious Couple Moments
Documenting cutesy couple portraits is an inevitable part of temple wedding
documentation, especially when the couples match their Kerala Kasavu outfits.
Precisely talking, couples often twin their outfits in authentic Kerala traditional
Kasavu saree and shirt-mundu attires.
Instead of the cliche couple poses we stumble upon the gram, try to showcase the
interesting elements of the temple while capturing. For that, try to arrive at the temple
as early as possible to have a closer look at the interesting nooks and corners.
Evidently, traditional Kerala temple architecture can surprise you with some lovely
frames for your couple portrait sessions!
3) The Rituals
Once the rituals begin, grab the most exciting corner without blocking the view to the
family. Then, capture the most precious moments of the entire wedding festivities ie,
the temple events. Both high angle and low angle frames are sweeping our hearts
away with never-seen-before angles and frames as per the 2022 temple wedding
trends. Who wouldn’t love to see their ‘Thaalikettu’ pictures captured from surprising
‘never-seen-before’ angles!
Clearly, it’s high time that the professionals try some experimental angles for the
main ritualistic highlights. Because there is no doubt that we are all tired of spotting
super straight standard frames while showcasing the pooja events!
4) Almost Married!
As the main rituals proceed, the Phere or the Pradakshin around the fire comes. Here,
the couple takes a definite number of rounds around the sacred fire or the pooja
essentials on the Manadapa. We love capturing these rounds in classic black and
white tones that beautifully portray the emotions in the frame. You may also prepare
suitable tones during post-production stage as per your comfort.
The Thaalikettu, Kanyadaan and Phere events are a few of the most crucial elements
of traditional Kerala Hindu wedding photography. Hence, it’s very important to pay
good attention to clicking these highlights with great passion and dedication. Not
missing any moments of emotional importance is yet another factor that is to be taken
care of.
5) The Prayers
Doing the Pradakshin together after just getting married is a much-awaited part of
temple wedding photography. Here, the couple walks through the ritual wearing fresh
garlands and holding each other’s hands. Certainly, you must position your crew at
suitable viewpoints for the best photos as the couple does the rounds. You also get to
showcase the temple outdoors in a broader frame during the ritual.
Hence, never miss the golden opportunity to beautifully showcase the traditions and
heritage with well-planned frames and angles. Familiarising the content of the
wedding pooja is a must as there could be mild variations in the order of events as per
various Hindu communities.
6) Just Married!
There are plenty of poses that you can suggest to your ‘just married’ couple. Starting
with the garland pose, it is one of the most commonly spotted poses. And, still it
manages to stay on top of the most Instagram worthy couple poses for newlyweds!
Holding your garlands or each other’s garlands is the most easiest one that you could
suggest to your couple. It indeed is a great one to warm up to the post-wedding couple
portrait session. Candids can be captured while you direct the couple to just recreate
the garland ceremony where couples exchange garlands at the auspicious pooja
ceremony.
7) Chitchats & Laughter
Striking playful chitchats and exchanging pleasant jokes are great ways to lighten up
the stress of the big day. As a continuation of the garland shots, you can direct your
couple to interact with each other for bagging some cute candids. The whole crew
may engage in the conversation to create an interactive candid session where you
could manage to get some adorable candids.
Definitely, the garland snapshots are one of the most classic traditional Kerala
Hindu wedding poses that we find in vintage wedding albums of our parents and
grandparents. And, it is something that we wouldn’t skip to maintain the legacy of the
pose!
8) Wholesome Candids
Just like any other event, focusing on close-up shots is extremely important in temple
weddings as well. As the ritualistic highlights of traditional Kerala Hindu weddings
happen mostly in temples, close-ups can surprise you with a rollercoaster of emotions.
Not just in the bridal or groom’s close-ups but also in close family and friends’ too!
You must look out for aesthetic close-ups as a part of documenting the venue details,
outfit highlights and pooja events. By capturing clean close-ups, you get a closer look
at the event as well as its important highlights. Hence, you will never regret
dedicating some extra time to your best temple wedding close-ups.
Hope you had a fun time studying our tips and suggestions in detail to ace the photo
documentation of Kerala temple weddings. We have tried to incorporate the most
important tips that you have to tick off while preparing for the temple ceremony day!
Experience plays an important role in perfecting your temple wedding photography
styles as the trends keep changing from time to time.
Most importantly, you should try to establish your own signature style in
documenting beautiful traditional events like kerala temple weddings. We hope our insights
have aided in boosting your confidence and in making you well prepared for your big
day!