Quite a few of my friends have tied the knot the past couple of months and my inbox has been flooded with wedding invites. Obviously being away from India means I cannot attend weddings of my closest friends and in lieu I get to see their online wedding albums. These wedding albums never fail to bring smiles to my face, the obvious reason for the smile being the happiness the couple radiate. But the special ones that make me laugh out loud are the ones the photographers take the bride and groom shots. These pictures are the most unnatural pictures ever. I have few of my own. R placing his hands on my shoulder rather uncomfortably and me forcing a goofy smile, me seated on a chair and R seated on the arm of the chair… you know what I am talking about. Every wedding photographer takes these standard poses and they never turn out good. A forced smile, uncomfortable clothes and a crowd distracting you often – all together a recipe for disaster. But these pictures are a photographer’s must-have.

A few months before my D-day, I sat down with my photographer to discuss his work or rather his “creative work” as he termed it. He wanted to physically transfer me in front of the 7 wonders of the world, plug-in my favorite personalities amongst the beaming couple (the photographer’s suggestions were Rajinikanth and Abdul Kalam). Somewhere he failed to understand that I might just want pictures that were a report of what happened at the wedding. I tried to explain that I did not need any of his “creative work” and was dismissed as a young kid who did not know her mind. Infact, the photographer threatened that he would tell my mom (he assumed my mother will side with him) and also said I would come back to him and “beg” (yes he did use the b-word) him to add his “creative” touches to my album.

To convince me further, I was shown some photographers and videos of his creative work and all I wanted to do was barf and run away. Unfortunately there is’nt much choice in terms of photographers (atleast that was the state a few years back) who do not do any “creative” work. Maybe it was just me who did appreciate “creativity” but that is just me. I wanted an album to document my wedding and not make a mockery of it. I wanted an album that I can show to my friends and family any time. I wanted an album that I can look into years afterwards and smile at the memories. I got my album and I am so glad I got it.

But whenever I see these newly-weds posing as instructed by the photographer and look extremely uncomfortable – I smile and I laugh!