In conversation with Vinayak Das, the ace wedding photographer and owner at Photo Tantra. Vinayak's many achivements include the most coveted feature of his work on People's magazine. The prolific photographer shares quirky anecdotes of his tryst with photography and weddings.
1. Vinayak Das is a self-taught photographer. What sparked your interest in photography?
I love travelling to new places, meeting new people and experiencing varied cultures. I also have an urge tell stories of what I had experienced. Photography is a lovely way to capture all these moments and recount the memories.
2. Photography is an expensive hobby. How easy or difficult was it for you to pursue?
Photography is expensive, more so in India. Fortunately nowadays the photography market is looking up and more so in the field of contemporary wedding photography. It has become far easier to fund ones photographic dreams now, as people are ready to pay the price that photographers are asking for.
3. I am intrigued about your project ‘‘Fear and Gender in Public Spaces’. What is the inspiration behind it?
It got triggered by a series of incidents of sexual violence against women in my city. It is an ongoing study of how fear created and propagated by society is responsible of creating spaces in the city which are considered unsuitable for women.
4. How do you explain the ‘photo-journalistic style of wedding photography’ to the Indian audiences?
I try to tell an interesting and exciting story of their wedding. The story has the important poignant moments, the beauty and the energy of the people, the grandeur of the place. Luckily most people understand that now and realize how difficult it is to do just that.
5. Which ceremonies and wedding moments are the trickiest to capture?
It is difficult to capture the emotional moments of significance between people. These fleeting and the genuine moments last for a fraction of a second and you have to be there to capture it, without being obtrusive. The fact that the entire family and many cases other photographers and videographer are blocking you and crowding the space makes it all the more difficult.
6. Your photography style:
It’s a combination of honest photojournalism that is essentially candid and more contemporary style fashion photography which brings out the beauty, glamour and the elegance of such a larger than life event.
7. Where would be your dream destination to shoot a wedding?
The Himalayas. Or on a coral island. A wedding that celebrates and that is celebrated in nature.
8. What do you say in favor of spending six-digit figure on wedding photography? How long in advance should couples approach you for wedding assignments?
Six digit figures are now commonplace and the amount of hard work that goes into photography should justify the price. Couple who understand the value of an image and care about photography should spend money to get a really good photographer.
As per dates, ideally ‘the sooner the better’. For dates between November and February, bookings are done about 12 – 9 months is advance. For other months, six months prior to wedding is decent enough.
9. Quickly, 3 tips for brides and grooms to feel comfortable before the camera?
10. 5 must have wedding photographs:
If you also want to get your wedding captured by Vinayak Das, contact him at Photo Tantra.