Fayetteville Indian Wedding Photographer: Campbell University E-session { Savan + Monica }
June 11, 2013
Title of this post should be “Midday Magic”! I love the late afternoon or early evening light when photographing portrait sessions outdoors. Apart from the light being golden, it is easy on my subjects and also easier to control. Many of my wedding clients are busy professionals or pursuing higher education. Thus not having enough time. That was the case with Savan & Monica. This couple’s Fayetteville wedding is coming soon. And the only time they had available was around noon. My job as photographer is to create best possible images in every situation. The session was planned on the Campbell University campus where the couple had first met.
I like to make e-sessions fun. I gather information about likes and dislikes of the couple beforehand. I suggest session ideas but am very interested in what my clients have in mind. I present the e-sessions as couple’s date where I come along to snap few photos!
The weather was warm, but nice. Slightly windy. I did not want to shoot every image with available light. And I did not want to shoot every image under a shade either. So, I lugged around enough equipment to setup some fun shots. I like to give my clients options. Mica was not available to assist me so, yes I worked alone. Which reminds me of the points I had made in my earlier posts. I often get asked “how many photographers” and “how many assistants” question. While I always welcome extra help, I create my own images. I do not rely on assistants and additional photographers to create my images. That help is certainly needed in many cases and some of my clients are willing to pay for the extra staff. However, if you are in the market looking for professional photography service, please let the professional guide you. I did sweat moving around the campus. But, convenience is not on the top of my list!
Savan and Monica were great to work with. They had fun which made it easier for me to capture some of the candid images. The campus is very special to them so they had certain locations in mind. My job was to integrate those locations in the images. After over two hours, we were able to review all the images we had created. Savan and Monica were thrilled! How do I know? They even bought my lunch. Such kindness is always appreciated. Their wedding at the new Embassy Suites is coming up in couple of weeks. It will be a multi-day event. I will be photographing this wedding for at least two, possibly for three days. I look forward to it…
- Tesh Parekh
IWP Photography
Our latest senior portrait session. We photographed Spencer a week ago at the Durant Nature Park in Raleigh NC. It was a beautiful but windy day. Spencer loves playing guitar so we incorporated that in the session. We went around the lower lake capturing the images. We had allowed time for wardrobe change. Spencer opened up after we captured initial images. The session was fun! The next day we were scheduled to photograph Shefaali & Andy’s Indian wedding at the Solas and Zinda. Preview images of that beautiful wedding coming soon. Here are our favorites from Spencer’s session. Contact us to inquire about our senior portrait session pricing…
- Tesh Parekh
IWP Photography
I have photographed e-sessions at the Duke Gardens (Durham NC) before, but the Garden was the most colorful when I did Shefaali & Andy’s e-session recently! This couple’s Indian wedding ceremony will take place at the Solas and reception will be at the Zinda. I love Glenwood South and Raleigh downtown. I often photograph that side of Raleigh and have also done many paintings there. Some of my paintings are now on display at the Visual Art Exchange and Local Color Raleigh. My notable latest assignment there was a live wedding painting I did at the All Saints Chapel and the Stockroom.
This was one of the warmest day of the year so far. I met my couple at the main gate. They looked sharp! This was also the graduation weekend so the gardens were busy but we worked patiently entire evening. Shefaali and Andy were absolute joy to work with! They had fun as you can see from the preview images below. We went around the garden, stopping at interesting spots. I worked alone and carried my gear all over the gardens. That was a good thing since I could create some of the poses which Shefaali had in mind. We kept shooting until the light was gone. We did not get to the Red bridge, but, didn’t really miss that.
I look forward to Shefaali and Andy’s wedding! It s going to be fun!
2013 continues to be an interesting year. I will be traveling for some of the assignments. I often get asked this question: “how many photographers do you bring”? Let me first say that I can bring as many photographers as the couple’s budget will permit! But, I am not sure how number of photographers translate into good photography or service. Many of the weddings you see on this blog were photographed by one photographer- yours truly! Some of the weddings had 500 + guests and multi-day multiple wedding events. In 2013, I am going to flip the question around: “How much can a single photographer do?”. We shall see. I promise…
- Tesh Parekh
IWP Photography
- Tesh Parekh
IWP Photography
Charlotte NC Indian Wedding Photographer : UNC-CH and Downtown E-session { Dimple + Rushit }
April 3, 2013
Dimple and Rushit’s St. Patrick’s Day E-session in Charlotte! We were in Charlotte for a two day corporate photography assignment. On Saturday, we photographed Dimple & Rushit at UNC-CH and Downtown. We love Charlotte and do variety of work there. Dimple and Rushit had met at UNC-CH, so, we started the session on campus. We went around the campus to create some fun images. It was windy and the Sun was in and out. Elements always make outdoor sessions interesting! We then went on to Downtown. The downtown was busy with St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl! We survived all the festivities and a wardrobe malfunction! We look forward to photographing Dimple & Rushit’s Wedding later this year at Gurdwara Sahib and Hilton Charlotte University Place…
- Tesh Parekh
IWP Photography
Wilmington NC Indian Wedding Photographer : Convention Center Reception { Arti + Mitesh }
April 1, 2013
Arti and Mitesh’s Indian wedding in Wilmington NC! The reception was at the Wilmington Convention Center as well. We had photographed Arti & Mitesh’s Indian Wedding Ceremony earlier in the day. I used the break between ceremony and reception to download ceremony images and get ready for reception. The reception started with the cocktail hour. Occasions by Shangri-la transformed the ballroom into the beautiful reception venue. DJ Ravi of DCSDynasty provided the music for reception party. Videography was by Vinod Karia (770-985-5906). The cake was beautiful! I photographed the cocktail hour as well as decorations and cake. The wedding party was introduced. The first dance was followed by cake-cutting, father-daughter dance and mother-son dance. There were toasts and dance performances by friends and family! The dinner was served and then it was time for the party! I photographed the party and around midnight it was time for end of my assignment. Great finale to two days of the wedding celebration! Congratulations to Arti & Mitesh!
Next day, it was time to head back to Raleigh to photograph North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association’s annual Taste of NC event.
2013 is an exciting year for us. Many weddings & events are on our schedule. And Indian weddings will continue to bring excitement to our world of pixels…
- Tesh Parekh
IWP Photography & Video
Wilmington NC Indian Wedding Photographer: Convention Center Ceremony { Arti + Mitesh }
March 29, 2013
Arti and Mitesh’s Indian wedding in Wilmington NC! The ceremony was at the Wilmington Convention Center. We had photographed Arti & Mitesh’s Grah Shanti and Garba previous evening. We started the morning with Arti’s hair and makeup session. We then went to the Wilmington Convention Center to photograph the venue and get ready for the ceremony. I captured Mitesh’s baraat while Mica photographed Arti with her bridesmaids and family. It was COLD! But, that did not stop the baraati’s from dancing! The venue looked beautiful! The wedding decorations were provided by Occasions by Shangri-la. DJ Ravi of DCSDynasty provided the music for baraat and ceremony. Videography was by Vinod Karia (770-985-5906). The unique part of the ceremony decorations was elevated runway! The ceremony was Vedic with Gujarati rituals and customs. We did family and group photo session after the ceremony. The vidaai was emotional! The lunch was Gujarati vegetarian. Yummy! We did a quick couple’s session after the lunch. We always enjoy couple’s session! The reception was scheduled to be in the same ballroom so, it was time to get ready!
- Tesh Parekh
IWP Photography & Video
- Tesh Parekh
Wilmington NC Indian Wedding photographer : Grah Shanti and Garba at The Terraces on Sir Tyler { Arti + Mitesh }
March 18, 2013
Our first wedding of 2013. Arti and Mitesh’s Indian wedding in Wilmington NC. Grand and vibrant! We had photographed Arti & Mitesh’s e-session in Southport and their Indian Engagement ceremony in Wilmington. The first event of wedding was Arti’s Grah Shanti at The Terraces on Sir Tyler. This was both a religious and social event. I was glad to see many familiar faces! From the previous event as well as Rakhee & Hiten’s wedding! Mitesh and family arrived at the dinner time. Mica had joined me to photograph this event and enjoyed real Gujarati food! Garba followed the dinner. Garba is always a fun event to photograph! Indian wedding events are full of color, texture and aroma. Garba adds the motion! DJ Ravi of DCSDynasty provided the music for Garba. Videography was by Vinod Karia (770-985-5906). The wedding ceremony was at the Wilmington Convention Center next morning….
- Tesh Parekh
IWP Photography & Video
- Tesh Parekh
IWP Photography & Video
Raleigh Mitzvah Photographer – Temple Beth Or and Crabtree Marriott Mitzvah { Tara }
February 15, 2013
I am catching up on the blogging! This time each year, we reorganize and prepare for rest of the season. We have also been busy photographing events and portraits. Mix in some video and painting, and there is not enough time for blogging! I am getting ready for Arti & Mitesh’s Indian wedding in Wilmington this weekend. This will be a two day assignment for me. A really big wedding- around 600 guests at the Wilmington Convention Center! Mica will be working with me as a second photographer/ assistant.
One of the fun events this year has been Tara’s Bat Mitzvah! Earlier, I did a portrait session in our studio. The session was fun and below is one of Tara’s favorite image from the session. The image was printed and framed for display at the party. Guests were able to write on the white mat.
Tara’s wish for winter theme came true when it snowed in Raleigh on Friday! It was a winter wonderland on Saturday morning! But, our portrait session at the Temple Beth Or was on schedule. I created traditional portraits as well as some fun and creative images.
The mitzvah celebration party was at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley. The ballroom looked beautiful. DJ Damien Maass made the party fun with music and games! I have enjoyed working with Damien- he is very helpful with keeping us aware of the timeline. Damien had dancers from Elevate to keep the dance floor busy.
Once I arrived at the Marriott, I setup the Greenscreen photobooth. This photobooth is always exciting for kids! We usually offer choice of four digital backgrounds. Each image is printed instantly. Photo folders are optional. Mitzvah name and date gets printed on each image, making this a great souvenir. Mica joined me and did the greenscreen photography and instant printing while I captured the event.
The party started with cocktail hour. There were introductions, blessings over bread, lunch, father-daughter dance, candle lighting and hora. Tara’s family and friends had travelled from all over to attend her mitzvah and celebration. Kids enjoyed games. Great party!
Mica and I enjoyed being part of this special occasion. We hope to capture many more mitzvahs.
It may snow tomorrow and we will be on our way to another great event…
- Tesh Parekh
IWP Photography
Raleigh Indian Wedding Photographer : Hindu Bhavan and Maggiano Ceremony { Shivani + Joseph }
November 30, 2012
My favorite images from Shivani and Joseph’s South Indian and Christian wedding! The hindu wedding ceremony was at Hindu Bhavan in Morrisville. And the Christian ceremony was at Maggiano’s Italian Restaurant in Durham NC. There was also a pre-wedding ceremony before the hindu ceremony. I covered the ceremonies for my friend Joh Carter. I also ran video camera! Multi-tasking. There were two priests for the hindu ceremony- one being my friend Pravin Shukla! Shuklaji is one of the best at conducting Hindu ceremonies! His style is fun and he keeps audience engaged while paying attention to every important ritual. The Christian ceremony was officiated by groom’s father. I did not cover the reception.
I love photographing weddings and especially Indian weddings! Weddings are challenging and exciting at the same time! My aim is to create the best images for my clients. I like to shoot lot of candids in addition to capturing the main event and group shots (John photographed the groups at this wedding). I love what I do and I hope you will see that in my work…
- Tesh Parekh
IWP Photography & Video
919-622-5399
email: tesh@iwpphotography.com
I am catching up on the blogging! I went to India in September and it has been busy since! I was in Mumbai visiting my sick Mom. It was HOT! And HUMID! But, I enjoyed my time there with my family and look forward to visiting again soon.
Biltmore Estate is a special place for Anika and Ankoor! So, they decided to schedule their e-session there earlier this month. Weather is always a big factor for outdoor sessions, especially at this time of the year. But, we got lucky! It was a perfect day for being on the grounds of this beautiful Estate in Asheville NC!
Anika and Ankoor had already scouted their favorite spots. So, we went around and captured different poses and candids. It was partly cloudy and the light kept changing. It was a good idea to carry my lighting! It helped in creating some of the backlit images.
This couple has a great chemistry! Made it so much easy for me to photograph them! I look forward to photographing their wedding next year.
Elizabeth and Sean’s St. Ann Catholic Church and Grand Marquise Ballroom wedding is coming up next…
- Tesh Parekh
IWP Photography
tesh@iwpphotography.com
919-622-5399
