ISPWP Member Spotlight - Sagarneel Biswas [Photographians]

1. How did you get your start and why did you choose wedding photography as a career?

I have grown up watching my father taking family pictures. I have been taking pictures from school using my father’s camera. Back in 2010, when I got married, it was difficult to find the non traditional wedding photographers in India. I was more interested in documentary photography and then thought why not wedding?

2. How has your extensive experience in wedding photography helped you in difficult circumstances on a wedding day?

I think, my background and expertise helps me to deal with vulnerable situations. When two different cultures come together, there are a lot of differences in traditions, expectations and that leads to surprises, discomfort and my previous experience on documentary and handling people help me a lot to handle such situations and continue the shoot and produce beautiful pictures.

3. Tell us about some of the more unique weddings you've shot.

Every wedding is unique. Specially in India we deal with rich diverse culture and family traditions, that makes the wedding special. I have shot epic love stories, where the bride and groom met accidentally and fell in love. The groom's family is from a remote place of India and the bride is from US. Their family has only one common language and that is love.  

4. What are some of your favorite local venues?

Nothing in particular. I love to shoot intimate weddings. I love shooting at the clients’ ancestral home.

5. What advice would you give a bride who is looking for a wedding photographer?

Don't judge based on your budget. The highest and the lowest might not be the best decision. Understand the photographer and his approach and how that suits you.

6. What's your favorite part of the wedding day to photograph?

Tough question for a Indian wedding photographer. There are so many peaks in a wedding in india. I love to feel the moments such, when the bride leaves her home, when the bride and groom see each other for the first time in the full wedding attire.

7. What kinds of weddings do you love to photograph?

Honest and Intimate wedding.

8. What are your top tips for brides to help them get great photos on their wedding day?

Forget there is a photographer. Forget the fact that you should be photographed in certain way, be yourself, be present in the moment and enjoy your day.

9. How important is it to hire an experienced wedding photographer?

There are things which should not be experimental. If one cannot recreate the moment, the wedding day, there should not be any doubt on hiring an exceptionally experienced professional, who has right tool, right team, right mental preparedness to do the due diligence.

10. What do you find is the biggest challenge in wedding photography?

I guess the time. In indian wedding there are special auspicious time when the specific events to happen. And with multiple vendors, so many people, multiple priorities, relatives, it is difficult to manage the time. The priority of the photography is in general lesser compared to others, and so it is really important to know how quickly the photo can be taken, specially for the portrait sessions.  

11. Do you do "destination weddings?" If so, what are your favorite destinations?

I guess, Jodhpur and Goa.

12. What do you do for fun when you're not shooting weddings?

I am shooting streets or personal documentary projects, or pushing myself to break the convention, the comfort zone.

13. How would you describe your style of photography?

Timeless, Fearless and Meaningful for the family and the couple. Pictures that evoke a subtle emotion in the client’s mind. Pictures that they can feel after 40-50 years.

14. What do you offer to clients that is unique? What is your Unique Selling Proposition?

We believe in empathy and family legacy. We challenge the status quo by making our work meaningful, detailed, beautifully crafted and made with Love. We make breathtaking timeless pictures and films with a with a stress-free experience for the client.

15. Do you offer albums? If so, describe the albums you offer and why you think it's important to provide albums.

I just have one thing to say, one can cry over an album, not on SD cards. I don't think album is optional, it is the must.

16. How would you describe the current state of the wedding photography industry, and where do you think wedding photography is headed in the years to come?

It is super dynamic, people are getting inspired by so many things and of course there are so many of distractions. It is hard to find the small things that matter in the long run. I feel there are things which did not get changed and possibly will not change over time. Such as value of family portraits.

17. What (or who) inspires you?

Mostly my clients, their stories really inspire me.

18. Have you found any products, services, or seminars that have made a difference to your photography or your business?

PEP, Silks photo, Magnum Photo.

19. What's the best photography-related advice you've been given?

Do not take picture to satisfy the photographers alter ego. Value empathy,family traditions and values. Shoot for the client.

20. What would you say was the biggest reason for your success?

My clients, my family and my team.

21. Do you follow any photography or business blogs that you would recommend?

I like to follow Jerry Ghionis.

22. What future plans do you have for your business for the next year?

Would like to take up some weddings from different cultures, location which we have not shot so far.

23. What is the biggest challenge facing wedding photographers today?

Social media, cell phone camera.