KOCHI: Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife - Franz Schubert,Austrian composer
These words came true for Vineeth M Nair, a talented photographer from Kochi, whose ‘The Big Day Wedding Company’ with wife Devi as a business partner, specialises in wedding photography. In just four years he was able to carve a niche for himself by signing up clients from not just Kerala but from even Mumbai.
Vineeth started his career as an assistant photographer when he was in Class X. He had a keen interest in photography which led him to choose it as his career. After completing his higher studies he pursued a six month photography course at the Chennai Film Institute.However, it took quiet a while for him to find his foothold in the competitive field of wedding photography in Kerala.
“There were no jobs for the first six months, I simply sat at home waiting for offers. Soon after I joined a studio named Add Image. I worked there for three years assisting photographers. It was then I bought my first camera,” said Vineeth
The company
“The ideation actually happened in the midst of a conversation with my friend on an occasion of a marriage. The word ‘Big Day’ was used by me when we had a routine talk,” he said.
Initially, we decided to name it as ‘The Big Day Movies’. Now we modified it to ‘The Big Day Wedding Company’ he said.
“We have an office in Perumbavoor town and two of our new branches are going to be inaugurated at Pipeline road and at Pala. We have clients all over India mainly from Mumbai,” said Devi his wife.
The photographs
“It is not about a thousand or two thousand assignments in one month. Ten assignments are enough for a month. It is important to create these 10 marriages in 10 different ways, that’s creativity,” said Vineeth.
When an appointment is fixed the clients are called for a pre-wedding shoot. This is to enhance the interaction between the couple and their photographer. This also helps the couple to understand how to face a camera he said.
“We focus more on the wedding events rather than outdoor shoots. Pre-wedding and post-wedding shoots can be done anytime,” said Arun Popy, the creative team head.
Changing times
The days when couples blushed when asked to pose for pictures are now a mere memory. They simply wanted to remember their wedding day as an evergreen romantic movie. Group photos of couples with the guests were also considered a necessity, said Vineeth. Today there is a shift in attitude. Everyone is looking for candid photographs. Couples search for wedding planners to make their marriage special. They have their own ideas and they ask event managers to execute it.
“My luck is my wife, it is because of her I have become what I’m now. She always gives me confidence by motivating me. She often gives ideas for shoots. My family wholeheartedly allowed me to turn to this profession. It is their prayers and blessing which helped me achieve my passion,” said Vineeth.
“My photography style has been influenced by Ganesh Shetty and I consider him my godfather and mentor,” he said.