About two weeks ago, I flew to California to photograph Priti and Tahir's wedding. Priti is Hindu and Tahir is Muslim. That their respective traditions and faiths are important to them and each other was abundantly clear. I was truly honored to photograph both the Nikah, translated loosely from Arabic to mean "the embracing of one another" and the Vivaha (or Vivaham, if you are from South India), the Sanskrit word for "wedding." Inter-faith weddings can be challenging to the couple, but Priti and Tahir handled every single detail with great finesse. From the photographer's perspective, I love watching and capturing the moments unfolding in front of me, without interrupting the flow of the day.
Given the multiple days, time zones and cities these events took place in, I am going to split the display of the images across several days. I found a lot of great moments. I also took the opportunity to photograph a few formal portraits of the couple as well.
A word of thanks to Priti, her parents, Kavitha (her sister), her friends (so many beautiful smiles!) and her extended family for making me feel at home. Tahir, initially shy, came through like a trooper. Thanks mate. I also worked with Tara Bong who did Priti's hair on the day of the Hindu wedding and Tamikka Johnson, a makeup artist based in the Bay Area. The henna, or, mehendi artist was by The Art of Mehendi by Ravie Kattaura. And, the wedding took place at the India Community Center, a spanking new venue for Indians and Indophiles to gather in Milpitas, California.
As always, I welcome your comments. To make it interesting (or motivational), I am giving away 9 CDs of "Rare Pulse," by Dr. Krishna Raghavendra, to 9 lucky people. Place your comment and simply wait to be notified. If I don't have your email address, there is really no way for me to contact you, so please include that when you post your comment.
Today's post is from the Nikah. And, please come back here in the days ahead for some spectacular images from Priti's Virudham Puja, Mehendi & Sangeet, the couple's Hindu ceremony and reception party! Enjoy! |
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