Moments of love

shaadi shenanigans

Mauricio Arias is a guy who is constantly tailing all the couples in their wedding ceremonies.

He’s right there when the bride is shedding a tear or two; he’s also there when the groom is trying to look his finest for his bride, and he is also there when the couple tries to steal a kiss. But even though Mauricio is physically present in all the important moments of a wedding, he’s still not there; his presence is only through his camera!

Named the ‘Photographer of the Year’ by MyWed.com, Mauricio was in Mumbai recently to conduct a wedding photography workshop as part of the PEP Asia Photography Conference. This San Francisco-based wedding photographer has been in the wedding photography business for nine years now. But he never thought he would be a photographer one day.

“A series of motivating events took me from Nicaragua to Miami to California, where I met beautiful people with wonderful hearts. They gave me a chance to take photos, and then, people started telling me that what I was doing was good,” he says.

Mauricio studied marketing and even did some courses in industrial engineering. But today, you will find him in different weddings, trying to capture true love on his camera. He calls it an unexpected journey that came with its own ups and downs. Today, Mauricio’s portfolio includes a wide range of wedding photographs that showcases the menagerie of people and emotions in every wedding. Some edited excerpts from the conversation:

What about wedding photography lured you into the field?

The opportunity of sharing unique and special moments with new people, being able to play with beautiful settings, and travel to new places, lured me into wedding photography. I like the challenge of telling the same story in a different way and looking for moments and opportunities that these kind of events offer to me.

 
What goes into a typical wedding photography shoot?

The first and most important aspect is the connection with the client, mutual understanding of expectations, and how they will be delivered. Every photo I take has a purpose, and I need to know what is important for the couple and to their family.

There are three different types of approaches I have in mind while I’m taking photos: the photojournalist, the surrealist and the fashionist. Knowing the setup and steps of a wedding allows me to capture the story while elevating every moment to its maximum potential. Capturing moments of people’s feelings about what is happening, framing the context and their characters in a unique and interesting way while showing the most beautiful and flattering expression is my goal.

 What has been the most memorable wedding photography project for you?

The wedding of Jenny and Lani was very special for me; I learned so much in that wedding. This was a same-sex marriage in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and from the very beginning, I understood what this union represented for them. This inspired me to do my best to connect the place, the people and the feeling of the wedding.

 What kind of challenges do you come across during a wedding shoot?

The biggest challenge is to keep myself connected and in tune with the environment and the people, keep myself interested, and keep looking for the next shoot all the time, being in the right mood and see everything in a positive light.

 You have done a number of Indian wedding shoots. How different is it from other weddings?

Yes! I have done a number of Indian weddings. An Indian wedding is an event that celebrates the union of two families in a festive and traditional setting full of energy, colour and love. An Indian wedding is a gift to me: no other wedding allows so many opportunities and tools to be as creative and artistic; the colours, the dancing, music and feeling are something we don’t find anywhere else. It’s fair to say that at the end of an Indian wedding, I’m part of their family. We share so many special and intimate moments together.

 How would you describe your photography style?

It’s a mix between the photojournalism and the surrealism way of photography. The way I take photos is the only way that I know how to do it. To me, every wedding has to represent the personality of the people and the celebration of their union (I’m cheesy that way).

 According to you, what constitutes a good photograph?

There are specific standards that we all know, like lighting, composition and moment. But those are only the foundation of every image. To me, on top of that, we have to bring something special, something that can move and intrigue anyone that encounters our imagery.

 Has modern technology been a bone or bane to photography?

I belong to the new wave of photographers that have started their careers with the advantage of technology. To me, in order to innovate, you must learn the history and the body of work of those who came before you. I personally had learnt and used the analogue format and I fell in love with it. I don’t see a conflict between technology and art. However, I’ll always differentiate between what is photography and what is digital art.

 What would be your advice to aspiring photographers?

My advice to them is to first acquire knowledge, practise all the time, and develop curiosity and interest in life. Also, always try to find the balance between the craft being genuine and running a business.