A private family custom is not automatically part of the commission. Decide first whether an outside photographer is invited at all, then which part, with whom present and what limits the family sets. If the answer is no, that is a complete and respectable answer. If yes, we work within the access and limits you give.
Weddings often include moments that belong to the family and not to the programme. A custom before the wedding may be quiet, personal and meaningful because it is not a performance. An outside photographer has no automatic right to be there.
This page belongs to our overview of Hindu and Sikh wedding photography occasions. It does not describe or assume what private customs your family has, and we ask only what is needed to plan.
Is a private custom part of the commission?
Start with the family's answer. Some families welcome a photographer to certain customs, such as those that are public or celebratory. Others keep them within the family. Both are reasonable.
If the answer is no, tell us. If the answer is yes, say which custom, and who has invited us. A photographer who arrives without a clear invitation is an intrusion, so we attend a private custom only by clear invitation.
What does the family decide?
| Decision | Who decides |
|---|---|
| Whether a photographer is present | The host family, with the elders' agreement |
| Which part may be photographed | The family and any ceremony authority |
| Who may be photographed | Each person present |
| What may be shared afterwards | The family |
| Who sees the images | The family |
Our guide to women-only and private gatherings explains how to plan when some attendees are more comfortable with particular arrangements. For the general principles, see event photography privacy, permission and image use.
Sharing only what is needed
We need to know whether the custom is included, where and when it takes place, who will attend and what limits apply. We do not need the reasons behind the family's choices or any personal history. If you offer them, we listen. If you prefer not to, we do not ask.
Use the personal photography preference note if individual family members want to record their own preferences privately. It stays with the family unless they choose to share it.
Setting limits
Limits are normal. A family may say: "photograph the arrival and the setting, but not the close ritual", or "photograph the elders but not the children", or "no images to be shared online". Each limit is easier to follow when it is specific.
Write them down and share them with us. If the limits change on the day, tell us through the family's contact. We follow, and we tell you if the change affects what you will receive.
A worked example
For example, imagine a family who hold a private gathering at home a few days before the wedding. They tell us that the gathering is for relatives only. The couple would like one photograph of the setting and one of the elders, taken before the relatives arrive. The family does not want the custom itself photographed.
We arrive, photograph the setting and the elders at the agreed time, and leave before the gathering begins. The family's own relatives record the rest, if they wish. The final gallery contains the setting and the elders, and nothing from the custom itself. The quotation reflects the shorter visit.
Sensitive context
Some customs are linked to personal or family circumstances. We do not solicit unnecessary detail, and we do not use identifiable examples of anyone's situation. If something sensitive affects the plan, tell us only what we need to avoid causing harm. Our approach is consent first, always.
If you are unsure whether to include a custom, or how, talk to your elders or the community practitioner who is advising you. We can help with the photography. What is appropriate is for your family and community to decide.
Images afterwards
Decide who may see images from any private occasion. Some families keep them in a private album, and others share them with relatives only. Private gallery access and onward sharing explains the options.
What to tell the photographer
- Whether any private custom is included, and which.
- Who has invited the photographer.
- Who will be present and any preferences they have.
- The limits on what may be photographed and shared.
- Who is the contact on the day.
We confirm everything in writing. If the family decides to exclude the custom, we remove it from the plan and the quotation.
Checklist
- Decide whether any private custom will be included in the commission.
- If yes, name which one and who has invited the photographer.
- List the people who will be present.
- Set limits on what may and may not be photographed.
- Ask attendees about their preferences before the day.
- Decide who may see the images afterwards.
- Confirm everything in writing with the photographer.
Tell us whether any private custom is part of the plan, who has invited us and what limits the family sets. We confirm in writing what we will photograph and what we leave out.
Discuss access to family customsCommon questions
Do we have to include private customs in the commission?
No. Many families keep some customs private and book photography only for the public parts. Say what is in and out when you brief us. It is easier to plan, and kinder to everyone, when the boundary is clear from the start.
Can a family member photograph the private parts instead?
Yes. Some families ask a relative to record private customs and book a photographer only for the public occasions. If that is your plan, tell us so we do not duplicate coverage or assume access we do not have.
What if guests at a private custom do not want to be photographed?
Their wishes come first. Ask the family to tell attendees in advance, and tell us who prefers not to appear. We avoid photographing anyone who has declined, and we adjust positions to respect that.
How much do we need to tell the photographer about the custom?
Only what is needed to plan: whether it is included, where, when, who attends and what limits apply. We do not need the family's reasons or private history, and we will not ask for more than is necessary.
Discuss access to family customs
Tell us whether any private custom is part of the plan, who has invited us and what limits the family sets. We confirm in writing what we will photograph and what we leave out.
What happens next: You send your event details on WhatsApp. Our team reads the brief, asks what is missing, then confirms in writing whether the date, venue and coverage can be booked, with a quotation. Opening WhatsApp does not send anything, and a message is not a booking until both sides confirm.
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