These Wedding Photographers Will Immortalise Your Big Day

The inaugural Manifest Black Book list spotlights the country’s top wedding photographers, capturing the magic of the big day through timeless images.

Stories By Joseph Radhik

Joseph Radhik @storiesbyjosephradhik

The Aesthetic: “Someone had written this about my work, and it has stuck: my photos aim to preserve the honesty of a true memory, with the aesthetic of a fantasy.”

The Inspiration: “I’ve always believed that your photos, your art are a reflection of your life. Live a creative life, and it makes work so much easier! Watching good movies, learning other forms of art, spending time with family, and consuming content away from Instagram—all of this helps to make photos that are markedly different. Also, hanging with other creatives of a similar bent helps. At Stories, we’re 14 artists, some of whom have many more international accolades than I.”

The Ideal Timeline to Book: “Indian weddings are tricky; there is no single ‘season’ due to the many cultures within India. While I’d say 6-8 months is ideal, there are times when busy months like November to February are booked out more than a year in advance, and slightly less busy months like September may lead to a last-minute booking, just a few weeks ahead. If you are planning your wedding in winter, ensure you book well in advance. For everything else, there is no harm in trying to see if your dream photographer is available at the last minute.”

Key Tips: “As far as possible, aim for a daylight wedding. If the mahurat doesn’t align with daytime, try to incorporate at least something during the day, that can have you in your wedding attire—such as the varmala event, or an entry of sorts. For a destination wedding, the sun is the best way to light the place—and to see the place.” “Dedicate 20-30 mins per event for your portraits. A seasoned photographer can make magic in that short time, but needs that dedicated time away from your event. Your goal should be to enjoy your wedding events and not pose for photos during them. Work with your planner and your photographers and ensure you have this done before your event begins.”

A Common Mistake Couples Make: “Not asking the photographer for full or extended photo sets of the wedding, that are beyond the ones on social media. These can be shared via email as well for privacy. Weddings are so much more than just Instagram-worthy images; they are the small moments that never make it to social media. They are the ‘boring’ photos of family and friends by the bar or at the entrance, they are the many, many photos that stand the test of time, but may not fit into a trend!”

NAMAN VERMA

@namanverma

The Aesthetic: “A classic and timeless approach, captured with calmness, emotion, and intention.”

The Inspiration: “I draw a lot of inspiration from outside the wedding world: cinema, painting, architecture, and travel all play a big role. Travelling, especially going on safaris, really helps reset my mind. Being in nature, observing wildlife, waiting quietly for moments to unfold, and working with natural light without control is incredibly grounding for me. Those experiences slow me down and sharpen my instincts.”

The Ideal Timeline to Book: “Most couples book about 8 to 14 months in advance, especially for destination or multi-day weddings. My advice is always to reach out as early as possible, once your dates are in place.

Key Tips: “Light matters more than people realise. Plan key ceremonies earlier in the day, or around golden hour whenever possible.” “Avoid overcrowded stages and backdrops. Negative space adds elegance.”

A Common Mistake Couples Make: “Trying to fit too much into the schedule. When everything is rushed, there’s little room for real moments to unfold—and those are usually the photographs couples end up treasuring the most.”

RAABTA By Shrey Bhagat

@raabta.studios

The Aesthetic: “Cinematic storytelling rooted in honesty, emotion, and understated luxury.”

The Inspiration: “I draw inspiration from cinema, music, art, and real human behaviour. I watch how people interact when they are not performing for the camera. Travel also plays a huge role. Every city, culture, and family dynamic adds to my visual vocabulary.”

The Ideal Timeline to Book: “Typically, couples reach out anywhere between 6 to 12 months. However, I always encourage reaching out early since I take on a limited number of weddings each year to stay deeply involved in every project.

Key Tips: “You may have a preference for a day wedding or a night wedding, but with thoughtful planning, you can actually experience the best of both worlds. Soft daylight and beautifully lit evenings, each bring their own charm.”

A Common Mistake Couples Make: “With so much wedding content on social media, couples often feel pressured to choreograph everything… even how they should react in emotional moments. This not only adds unnecessary pressure on the couple and their loved ones, but also takes away from genuine feelings.”