In the world of wedding photography, where every frame captures a unique love story, WeddingNama stands out as a trailblazer, seamlessly blending creativity, authenticity, and passion. Founded by Ankita and Akash, WeddingNama has evolved from a personal pursuit of storytelling through photography into a celebrated brand known for crafting visual narratives that resonate deeply with couples. Driven by a commitment to capturing genuine emotions, WeddingNama has documented countless weddings across the globe, each with a distinct touch that reflects the personalities of the couples they work with. In this candid interview, Ankita Asthana and Akash Agarwal share their journey, challenges, and vision for the future, highlighting what sets WeddingNama apart in a constantly evolving industry.
1. Can you tell me the reason behind the inception of the brand and how has it progressed till now?
WeddingNama started as Ankita’s passion for photography, deeply rooted in her childhood memories of capturing family travels. Although initially pursuing architecture at NIT Nagpur, she discovered her love for photography and chose it over an MBA to study at NID, refining her skills in India and the UK. Wedding photography allowed her to connect deeply with people, capturing genuine emotions.
Akash, her partner, initially followed a conventional path in engineering and banking, but was inspired by Ankita’s passion and joined her, finding joy in documenting weddings. Together, they rebranded as “WeddingNama” in 2013, aiming to craft visual narratives of unique love stories. Over the years, they’ve grown into a cohesive team, valuing quality over quantity, and making every wedding feel personal.
2. WeddingNama has been capturing various love stories till date. Which love story that you have captured was your most favourite or memorable to capture and why?
One of our most cherished weddings was that of Kajal and Sachin. Our bond with Sachin began in 2015 when we captured his brother’s wedding in Thailand. Eight years later, he trusted us to capture his own wedding, reconnecting with us as old friends. The warmth of Sachin and Kajal’s families and the genuine bond they shared made every moment deeply moving.
We were present throughout their special day, capturing emotions from the early preparations to the end of the party. The varmala ceremony was particularly emotional, bringing tears to everyone’s eyes, including us. Kajal and Sachin’s wedding wasn’t just another event for us; it was a deeply moving experience that reminded us why we love what we do. It was a celebration of love, family, and unforgettable memories—one that we will always cherish.
3. How do you ensure that each wedding you document is unique and reflects a couple’s personal story?
At WeddingNama, every wedding is treated as a unique story. We immerse ourselves in the emotions of the day, capturing candid moments that showcase the essence of the couple’s love. We go beyond formal shots, focusing on genuine interactions among friends and family.
We invest time in connecting with the couple and their families, often meeting informally before the wedding to understand their vision. This builds trust and ensures a comfortable atmosphere on the wedding day. We also collaborate closely with planners and decorators, offering input to enhance the visual appeal of the event. Our goal is always to create a personal and authentic story that reflects the couple.
4. What are some of the key factors that set WeddingNama apart from other wedding photography and filmmaking companies?
WeddingNama stands out by staying true to the philosophy of “keeping it real.” We prioritize authenticity, avoiding unnecessary trends and focusing on moments that genuinely reflect the couple’s story. Our approach is always about creating something unique, whether it’s capturing new destinations like Cappadocia or Ladakh before they were popular, or telling a story that resonates personally with the couple.
Operationally, our full-time, in-house team ensures consistency and creativity in every project. We take on a select number of weddings, allowing us to dedicate our full attention and craft each story with care. Our editors work meticulously to transform raw footage into cohesive narratives that capture the couple’s journey.
5. How do you handle the logistical challenges of shooting weddings in various international locations?
Shooting weddings internationally involves thorough research, planning, and adaptability. Familiarity with the location is advantageous, but when it’s new, we dive into research, utilize local contacts, and even prefer to drive ourselves to explore hidden gems.
We always respect local regulations, particularly around equipment like drones, often hiring local operators to comply with laws. Early collaboration with wedding planners is crucial to align on key moments, ensuring the best conditions for photography. We conduct fresh research to understand the direction and timing of sunrise and sunset so that we can plan our shoots around the best light conditions. Early alignment with the wedding planner is also crucial. By collaborating with them at an early stage, we can provide input on the placement of the mandap, the timing of the wedding, and other key moments like the varmala, ensuring that everything aligns with the best possible lighting for photography. We arrive a day in advance for thorough reconnaissance and to build comfort with the couple, making it easier to capture natural moments.
6. You have also established WeddingNama School. Could you tell me a bit more on that?
WeddingNama School was created to address the unique challenges of wedding photography, especially within Indian weddings. Launched in 2019, it offers immersive three-day workshops that cover everything from pre-shoot planning to post-production. We share our firsthand experiences, making it an interactive and practical learning environment for aspiring photographers.
We're gearing up for Chapter 4, and this time, it’s going to be bigger and even more exciting. It’s happening from 1st to 3rd October 2024, this three-day workshop ditches the traditional lectures and puts you right into the action, offering hands-on experience in capturing the magic of real Indian weddings.
7. How do you see the future of wedding photography and filmmaking evolving, and how is WeddingNama preparing for the future?
Over the last decade, wedding photography has become a significant part of the wedding budget, shifting from being an overlooked expense to a valued investment. As weddings transform into immersive experiences, couples seek to preserve memories through high-quality photography.
WeddingNama is prepared for this evolving landscape by continuously refining our skills and staying connected with trends, while focusing on the core of our craft—capturing genuine moments. We see photography remaining central to weddings, as beautifully captured images hold the power to immortalise even the simplest settings.
8. What are some future goals or projects you have in mind for WeddingNama?
Looking ahead, WeddingNama aims to be the world’s most sought-after wedding photography company, without compromising on our personalised approach. We plan to expand internationally by opening local offices, reducing travel challenges while maintaining our high standards.
We are also committed to nurturing future photographers through the WeddingNama School, offering more comprehensive courses to support aspiring talents. Our mission remains the same—to create unforgettable memories while contributing to the growth of the wedding photography industry globally.
