Celebrity Photographers Share Tips To Combat Photobombers At A Wedding

Whether it’s your distant cousin's toddler perfecting their first steps, your overly affectionate pet, or your pesky younger sibling, the unexpected arrival of a photobomber can quickly ruin your efforts to capture those beautifully candid moments during your wedding orpre-wedding photo shoot. While sometimes their interruption can bring out a chuckle, their frequent appearances in every picture can be frustrating, especially when you wish to capture moments against the backdrop of the natural scenery, like the twinkling fireflies at night or a stunning sunset.

Your tech-savvy friend might suggest using apps to eliminate these unwanted intrusions, but even the top-rated options on Play Store can sometimes be disappointing. To ensure you get the shots right on your special day, we asked celebrity wedding photographers to suggest tips on dealing with these pesky interruptions. Here’s what they had to say.

6 Tips Celebrity Photographers Approve to Combat Photobombers

Embrace the intrusion

Celebrity photographer Shruti Khanna from Cupcake Productions, who captured moments at Actor Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram’s wedding in Imphal, says, “Instead of resisting unexpected interruptions in our photos, one should accept and appreciate their sudden presence.” She adds, “Photo bombers bring a playful vibe to the pictures and showcase the relationship you share with the person photobombing your pic in the most unfiltered manner. So, instead of trying to exclude them, one should incorporate them in your shots as this can lead to some fantastic candid moments.”

Inform the guests about the itinerary

Celebrity wedding photographer Jickson from Lights and Creations advises handing over a function itinerary to all your wedding attendees before the festivities as it gives them a clear idea about the flow of events. Jickson, who has also captured moments at Malayalam actor Meera Nandan’s wedding, says, “Educating your guests about the sequence of events in a wedding helps control traffic, reduces chaos, and mentally prepares everyone as to what to expect from the wedding festivities. Additionally, it reduces the chances of people photobombing pics, as it provides the couple and their close loves ample time to plan their day and movement through the functions accordingly".

Your photographer knows best

As an old saying goes, “Too many cooks spoil the broth”. Having too many people photographing one special moment may give rise to unwanted chaos and gradually lead to photobombing. Celebrity photographer Anand Rathi of Reels and Frames, who has also captured special moments at Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja’s wedding, says, “People may wish to photograph moments like Varmala, first kiss and cake cutting during the wedding ceremony from their lens. To get your shots right, here it is the host's responsibility to make them aware of the presence of an official photographer to prevent active usage of personal devices and simultaneously reduce photobombing".

Wait for footfall to subside

"Achieving flawless clicks requires patience." says, photographer Shruti Khanna, who has documented moments at Actor Hanshika Motwani’s wedding. She emphasises, "It is essential for the photographer to stay alert to seize the opportunity to capture the most exquisite moments. However, it is equally important for the couple to keep patience until the crowd has diminished, as this facilitates a smoother process for photographers to capture images effectively."

Scout locations in advance

Engaging in an adventure shoot before your wedding festivities can be an excellent way to foster a connection between the couple the photographer, and their team. Jickson from Lights and Creations, says, "It's important to explore the venue while having a dialogue with the photographer. This teamwork will assist in discovering the most appropriate angles for photos and spot potential photobombers, such as birds, animals and even regular passers".

Set up queue managers

Anand Rathi, who has also captured moments at Rana Daggubati and Mihika Bajaj’s wedding, shares, “The velvet ropes acting as queue managers not only help prevent photo bombers but also minimise distractions and create a secure environment for the couple. Plus, they lower the risk of unexpected mishaps and accidents and provide the couple with a safe space to pose for the camera. Though, they may seem obsolete and conventional, having a queue manager can benefit immensely in wedding photography".