Badal Jain On The Changing Landscape Of Wedding Photography And More

Whether it’s a destination wedding at an exotic location, an intimate affair with near and dear ones or the spotlight grab-worthy Big Fat Indian Wedding extending over days, weddings offer the best of all worlds- fashion, food, beauty and overall memories. And what better way to revisit memories than viewing photographs and videos from the special day?

Capturing a perfect shot or filming a sequence of events that reflects unfiltered emotions amidst the chaos of an Indian wedding may be a real hustle for many. But for ace wedding filmmaker Badal Jain, the process is a cakewalk. One-half of the famous duo Badal Raja, is one photographer who is unafraid to experiment with his craft and loves to discover newer ways of communicating stories through his pictures.

Even after a successful three-decade-long journey, his passion and love for the craft remain unchanged.

Now the wedding filmmaker is ready to host a masterclass at the upcoming FDCI Manifest Wedding Weekend (FMWW). In a candid chat with Manifest, he speaks about the influence of social media on wedding photography, hacks for camera-shy people to ward off awkwardness, the upcoming session at FMWW and more…

In Conversation With Badal Jain of Badal Raja

Manifest: How do you think social media and celebrity weddings have changed the landscape of wedding photography over the years?

Badal Jain: Weddings are a journey of emotions. From the day a person gets engaged to the day they are married, it’s a barrage of emotions for people involved. Through my craft, I wish to explore those unfiltered emotions via the language of pictures. Yes, social media has been instrumental in how people view wedding photography, which I denounce. Social media makes way for trends, and people have to understand that when they imitate someone rather than sticking to their originality, the pictures may not age well with time. I take pride in shooting families and couples that remain true to their original selves and culture because the clicks then turn out to become extraordinary.

M: In the chaos of a wedding, how do you identify the perfect moments to capture?

BJ: Firstly, there is no such thing as a perfect moment or shot. Capturing moments that convey raw, unfiltered emotions is a journey built over the years. You do not need to have a hawk-eye during a wedding, constantly hunting for a perfect moment, but yes, one needs to be agile and dwell in the present moment to capture the best. As I am an emotion-driven person, I majorly look for moments that communicate stories. Secondly, one should break the wedding into tiny bits, as it makes the job easier. During the main festivities like the pheras, I hide and look for moments within the family rather than focusing on the couple. But, I have discovered over the years that the most capture-worthy moments happen after the camera lights turn off.

M: What is your advice for people who are shy but want to capture unforgettable moments on their wedding day?

BJ: I have a simple mantra. I don't coach or doctor people to capture a great shot with my camera. In the language of photography, the eyes convey it all. In the case of introverted and shy couples, we capture their shyness and do not force them to open up or be expressive. But, in case the bride or the groom is hesitant, I tell them that it is their big day and they are the only saviours. Moreover, I encourage communication between the couples as it eases the mutual tension between the two individuals. Photography is all about capturing emotions, but as photographers, we can't be emotional about our job.

M: Can you recall any anecdote where you had to get the creative to get the perfect shot for a wedding?

BJ: The terms candid photography and perfect shot have been overused and exploited in photography. Every shot may not be perfect which is understandable. My events are a waterfall, which allows me to bathe in it and experience the serenity it brings along.  I enter a wedding event with a blank slate and a meagre amount of nervousness because it makes people more aware of their present moment and actions. One more thing that photographers need to take care of is not to become too intrusive so that the couple does not feel suffocated. There are some moments for the couple to enjoy, some for the photographer to enjoy, and some to capture.

M: Can you give us a glimpse of what to expect at the FDCI Manifest wedding weekend?

BJ: My masterclass at the FDCI Manifest wedding weekend will include a sneak peek into my work through the years. Work close to my heart and not on my social media. People can experience the flesh and blood of my work and know the reason behind my undying passion for the craft. They will also see stories of my wedding films unfolding that will surely strike a chord with everyone.