Heard of Photo Moon? It’s the pre wedding photography shoot which captures the love story, the courtship of the couple getting married
By Namrata Kohli
A pre-wedding photoshoot can indeed feel like a pre-wedding honeymoon! No wonder it’s also a Photo moon. It’s a magical time when couples create memories before their wedding, enjoying dreamy locations, exploring their chemistry, and basking in love and excitement for their upcoming journey together. It’s also called Before-the-Vows or Save-the-Date shoot and is a prelude to the actual wedding photography. Often the videos shot and stills clicked are played on the D-day.
Today there are photographers whose forte is just pre-wedding photography. Take the case of Gurugram based couple- 28 year old Anamika Sharma and 31 year old Vivek Aggarwal who got married earlier this year in February 2024 at a farmhouse in Vasant Kunj. They hired a photographer through Instagram reviews and word of mouth recommendations for a pre-wedding photoshoot and selected three scenic locations within Delhi – Lodhi Garden, Hauz Khas village and Humayun’s Tomb. The idea was to play some static shots and videos during the wedding ceremony and engagement day plus to also put the digital image in Save the day reminders in their digital wedding cards. Anamika recommends this concept saying - “Ours being an arranged marriage, we really got to know each other better through this exercise. We spent 2-3 days getting ourselves shot as a couple and I feel couples should definitely go for pre-wedding shoots as this gives you a good insight into your partner esp when you are put in random situations.” She advises that to avoid the crowds, it’s best to opt for a working day rather than a weekend and that too early in the morning when the sunlight is bright and crowds are less.
Many couples opt for getting this done at an outstation destination such as Mumbai based couple Vaibhavi and Amit who went to Goa and booked a yacht for Rs 20,000 just for the photoshoot. Many go with their families and see this photoshoot as an 'icebreaker' as photographers encourage the families to play board games and other games like antakshri to get candid and lively group pictures.
One of the most important tasks is to zero in on the right photographer. How would one know that this is the right one? According to Amit Batra, Mumbai based wedding cinematographer, “You will know the right person, when they are open to hearing you out. Not impose only their ideas. Some photographers just want to make their instagram page cool and they will go to any lengths to make that happen. It has to be a two way communication. Have an open conversation with them face to face and gauge the openness/friendliness in them. When you are comfortable with the person shooting you, pictures and videos will come out more natural. Rather than going for the posey photos and videos, go for an easier and more natural feel. This can only happen when we are completely at ease with the photographer and his/her team.”
Next step is to know your mind and your partner’s as to what you want from this photoshoot. Give a brief which is clear. Batra suggests that the brief should ideally be to this: "Let’s all get together and do something creative and not get caught up in doing something over the top. Clean frames look the best and when you will look at them ten years from now, they should remind you of the happy times you guys had on the trip and not how you guys got so tired."
Make sure before leaving for the trip, you and the photographer are in sync with the idea and plan. If this is done well, it will be all fun and play and the camera will produce lasting memories. When does the photographer produce the best results? “The more relaxed the couple will be and confident they feel the better photos will turn out to be,” says Ansh, founder Weddings by Ansh, a luxury wedding and pre-wedding Photography Company, “Making couples comfortable is very important... We personally spend time with couples, ask them about their love story, their personalities and what they are looking for and build trust. Best expression comes when they are too relaxed and not asked too much for posing.”
Location plays a very important role in the final outcome. Adds Ansh –“Some people want to go to the beach or mountains or countryside Kashmir. We have done a lot of shoots at popular locations such as Thailand, Goa, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah. But those beautiful and fairytale backdrops such as Goa (air ticket, accommodation) cost at least Rs 1 lakh per person while Dubai can cost you Rs 3 lakh. Make-up artists will charge you Rs 30,000 for 2-3 days of working and rented clothes and outfits approx. 20,000. When everything is aligned, the outcome is excellent.”
Some places are especially open to pre-wedding shoots. Take the case of Sula Vineyards, where a couple who were wine connoisseurs actually got their shoot. Says Monit Dhavale Head of Hospitality, Sula Vineyards- “Photo shoot at Sula Vineyards is allowed between 7.00 am to 12.00 pm at the restaurants (Rasa), Tasting room area, amphitheatre (Sula Fest Area). For a 5-hour shoot, charges are Rs 15,000 plus taxes.”
Ditto at Karma Lakeland where there are a range of beautiful natural backdrops- from a pond, a forest, a golf course, a garden to artworks in the background at Klub Karma, lobby and restaurant. Another favourite is the scenic Neemrana fort property.
Money Matters
The overall cost for the pre wedding shoot depends on photographer experience–photo location, styling, make up. A premium shoot within the city will cost you Rs 1.5 lakh but you can also manage in Rs 25,000.
It’s all about planning in advance and making your time count on the shoot day. Travel close by in India to keep the budget low. Traveling abroad to Dubai and Thailand is relatively cheap as it’s easy to get visas and tickets are not so expensive. Even off-beat destinations can be great. It’s really as per your preference and the money you are willing to spend.
Charges for a Pre-Wedding Photoshoot
- Basic Package:
- Range: ₹20,000 - ₹50,000
- Includes: Photography, basic editing, and 1-2 locations.
- Standard Package:
- Range: ₹50,000 - ₹1,00,000
- Includes: Professional photography, advanced editing, multiple locations, outfit changes, and props.
- Premium Package:
- Range: ₹1,00,000 - ₹3,00,000+
- Includes: Destination shoots, drone photography, cinematic videography, specialized props, and stylized albums.
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