I hate getting individual photographs clicked, the dear camera almost always catches wrong angles, expressions and poses. Hence, "Rachita Only" shots are avoided as much as possible. Though off late my feelings on the matter have meant nothing because I faced a situation - The Bridal Shoot- Mine!
A Bridal Shoot - Def - (courtesy Rachita) : The ritual of clicking unnatural, funny and absurd poses of the already nervous bride so as to make her feel ridiculous and silly. Also, a hindu marriage has so many rituals - Roka, Kirtan, Sagan, Mehendi, Chura Ceremony and marriage for the photographer to fulfill all his creative ideas. Here is sharing with you my feelings on this very personal experience.
Meri Kahani Meri Zubani
Let's begin from the beginning - The Roka Ceremony. When as it is I was conscious( I rarely dress up and am never quiet), it being my roka ensured all the attention and the spot light was on me(& my fiance but I felt he got a better deal with the photographers). And believe me when they ask you to " look down", smile, laugh, turn right, up, left - you feel more like a bakri (goat) than a would be bride. It was my first experience and I " did not" enjoy it at all. With one ceremony over, I breathed a sigh of relief. Kirtan was a family affair so I was let free.
But at the Sagan Ceremony, though I knew what to expect the photographer surprised me. I lost the count of poses I had to make in the name of so called life long memories. All prompted by my naughty gang of cousins. To name a few - look at your ring, turn right, look into the mirror, redo your earrings , then wear your bangles again. In all honesty I confess that the photographer was good at his work and really charming and courteous, so "I" became less conscious. With this feeling, I sailed through the Mehendi, Haldi and Chura ceremonies.
Now, coming to the M Day: For someone who buys the dress with lightest work, minimal makeup and accessories - carrying off the look of a traditional punjabi bride was a herculean task. But pat my back I did it- everybody (esp. dad) says with elan. Then started my ordeal - the same photographer was ready with even more "fantastic" ideas of bridal poses. I tell you we brides have it tough , so much so that by the time of the final ceremony we are immunised to all awkwardness of these silly poses. Starting with stand behind the curtain, hold it; Dance, turn around, smile while looking at your kaliren, sit, stand, walk, lean on the door, look into the sky...and so on (whew - getting married is a tough job). After a while I thought of cutting the exercise short but then took a deep breath and said "Bring it on". And started my adventure with the camera , together we sailed through a wide tide of poses - shy, happy, sad, waiting, dancing, naughty, crazy and all in all under the eyes of lovely people who came to meet me in the Bridal Room.
To give him credit - my family says - almost all my moods and expressions were captured by the photographer and still he made me look good. So, no matter how tough - Smile when its your turn coz it is worth it!
P.S : No matter what they say - the bridal shoot is never easy for the bride, its only then you realise that everything you do and wear is under someone's eyes and would mean a lot.
