In our series of interviews with Industry Experts, Weddingplz was delighted to meet Gulzar Sethi, the Top Wedding Photographer based in Delhi and having largest Facebook fan base amongst the Wedding Photographers in India & the Sub-Continent. Gulzar’s work pushes the boundaries of his profession by capturing photographs that are emotional, edgy, original and most of all capture a unique moment in time.
Gulzar has many feathers in his cap, some of them being featured by NDTV GoodTimes in its popular bridal make over show, “Band Baajaa Bride” in 2014, being a big Brand Influencer for prestigious brands like Samsung Mobiles, Western Digital & Photo Orange, being a Mentor for Organizations like Canvera and being awarded as “The Best Wedding Photographer in India 2015” by PrimeTime Media.
So here we have it! The inside scoop from the ace photographer Mr. Gulzar Sethi himself…
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself? Did you go to school to study photography? What inspired you to become a wedding photographer?
I was an IT professional till a few years back and after working for 15 yrs in the Corporate World I took up Photography. Photography was an overnight calling all thanks to my biking trip to the scenic location of North India but to reach here the Biker in me rode for 3 decades before realizing Photography is where my ultimate happiness lay. My inspiration to becoming a Wedding Photographer was the various emotions one goes through, all through the festivities.
2. How would you describe your style? Which is the favorite moment of the wedding that u love to click?
I don’t know if I have a style to call my own but all I strive to achieve is an image which would make my client feel special. It would be tough to pick out one specific moment to call a favorite but I love taking Make up shots, the silent tear rolling down the Bride’s Father’s Cheek & the subtle naughty glances a couple makes.
3. What has been your most interesting / extravagant / outrageous wedding photography experience so far?
Weddings are about celebrating love and when a couple does it in different ways that has a thrill. We covered a Destination Wedding in Pondicherry where the couple belonged to a Marwadi family but celebrated their love with a White Wedding as well as a traditional Marwadi wedding which sprawled over 3 days. Dance was what brought them together & they kept Dance as the Theme as well. Even though there was unexpected torrential rain during their outdoor Sangeet their Spirits didn’t die instead they got charged up and continued to perform.
4. How has the wedding industry changed for photographers compared to when you started?
Change is constant and every single day brings by something new and exciting. Say 10 years ago Wedding Photography was a simple documentation of the events & rituals but today it is a couple’s paparazzi moment. The Wedding industry has seen quite a bit of change over the past few years but the biggest change according to me is the respect level for Wedding Photographers. Today, unlike a few years ago, a Wedding Photographer is respected for his/her art and creativity and the industry is no longer looked down upon.
5. You seem to capture some of the most personal moments we’ve ever seen. How do you manage to do that? How do you make them feel relaxed in front of camera?
For us the process of covering a Wedding is far from just arriving with a bunch of people and gear to shoot someone’s lifetime memories. We take it a step beyond by giving each couple a lot of one on one time to get to know them and for them to know us. We personalize our interactions with our clients be it via Skype, Phone calls or a cup of Coffee.
6. What have been some of your most difficult shooting situations, and how did you overcome them?
Most difficult shooting situations have been most beautiful ones. Every shoot is a challenge and that is exciting as we learn something new with each experience. Be it harsh LED lights directly hitting the face of the couple or working our way through large crowds, the best way to deal with them is to smile your way through and that always brings beautiful results.
7. How many weddings you do average per year? How many images do you average do per wedding and how many do you usually present to your clients?
We give all our clients’ exclusive time with us which helps us understand them and build a comfort level for when we have to shoot. Amongst 600+ queries per season, we take up 15-20 wedding projects and each project is crafted to the brief of our client. We cannot put a number to a person’s memories, image being told you will only get 500 images for a function even if we can click 1000 images? We do not do that, there are no numbers to a maximum or minimum number of images it is situation specific.
8. With the rise of camera phones, mirror less cameras and other new technologies, what do you think is the future of photography? Will DSLR still have a place in 5 or 10 years?
Technology is moving so fast that it is hard to predict. In the coming 5 years I feel that the DSLR technology will be getting stronger however as things are changing very fast in this digital age, it is tough to comment as to where we will be 10 years from now. Maybe there will be something beyond the Mirrorless cameras and DSLR… guess we need to wait and watch 😉
9. What’s your advice for aspiring professional wedding photographers? If someone said ‘how can I be the next Gulzar?’ What would you say?
My honest advice would be to Understand your camera & the Field of Photography you choose and make your own name 🙂 Why be called by someone Else’s name when you have it in you to be called by your own name.
10. Can you share with us some awesome wedding “ Gulzar Sethi Photography” images?
11. Rapid Fire –
a) What is your favorite photography accessory, other than your camera?
My 85mm Lens
b) A wedding photographer who inspires you?
Every Photographer inspires me as they all have something new to teach.
c) Anybody or anything you would love to photograph?
Aurora Borealis in GSP style 😉
d) A destination wedding you would love to cover – National or International, any.
A wedding in Santorini, Greece.
e) A website or blog you visit often:
My own 😛
f) 3 words your friends would use to describe you:
Compassionate, Funny & Calmwala 😛
Also Read : Top 10 Candid Wedding Photographers In Delhi NCR