The Asian Bride’s Dilemma: Finding a Photographer Who Gets Your Vision

Charan Atti
6 days ago
3 min read

If you’re an Asian bride, chances are you’ve scrolled through countless wedding blogs and Pinterest boards filled with dreamy, light-filled photos of brides in flowing white dresses. They’re beautiful, but they don’t always feel like us.

Our weddings are vibrant, bold, and unapologetically colourful. Our outfits are more than fashion, they’re adorned with rich culture, centuries of tradition, and family history woven into every thread. And yet, when we start researching photographers, so many of the portfolios we see showcase only Western weddings.

So, how do you find a photographer who can capture your vision, one that celebrates both your heritage and your personal style?

The bride and groom exchange vows, adorned in traditional attire with intricate details and fresh floral garlands, symbolising their union and love.

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask the Question

When you come across a Western-style photographer whose style you love, the key is to ask the right questions.

“Have you photographed Asian weddings before?”

“Can I see a gallery from one of those weddings?”

This isn’t just about ticking a diversity box. It’s about making sure their eye for lighting, editing style, and composition translates beautifully to your outfits, your ceremonies, and your colours. Bold reds, deep golds, and vibrant greens photograph very differently from ivory lace and muted florals, and you deserve a photographer who understands how to do justice to both.

2. Mix and Match If You’re Having Multiple Ceremonies

Here’s something I did myself: I chose a Western photographer for my civil wedding and an Asian photographer for my religious ceremony.

Why? Because I wanted the elegant, editorial style that many Western photographers specialise in for my civil, and I wanted a photographer who had years of experience with the pace, rituals, and intricacies of a cultural wedding for my main event.

If you’re having multiple ceremonies, splitting your photography team can be the best of both worlds.

The mandap is elegantly adorned with lush floral arrangements, creating a stunning setting for a Hindu wedding ceremony. White drapes enhance the serene atmosphere, promising a memorable celebration.

3. Define Your Vision Before You Start

Before you even book your photographer, spend some time asking yourself:

Do I want soft, natural light or dramatic, bold images?

Do I want my photos to look editorial and cinematic, or documentary-style and candid?

Which parts of my outfits and ceremonies are non-negotiables for me to capture?

Once you know what you want, it becomes so much easier to find a photographer who matches your vision, whether they’re Asian, Western, or a team that blends both backgrounds.

Elegant Hindu wedding welcome sign for Meera and Dharmesh, adorned with vibrant flowers and a statue of Lord Ganesha, symbolising auspicious beginnings.

4. Remember: Your Culture Is Not a Compromise

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned, both as a bride and a planner, is that you don’t need to dim down your culture to fit a trend.

Your colourful lehenga, sari, or lehengha choli; your embroidered sherwani; your intricate jewellery, these are part of your story. The right photographer won’t just see them as “details”; they’ll honour them as the heart of your wedding.

At the end of the day, photography is more than pretty pictures, it’s about telling your story in a way that feels authentic. Whether that means finding a Western photographer who adapts to your cultural style or choosing a specialist for each ceremony, the key is making sure your images reflect you.