Traditional Weddings & Celebrations
Lobola · Umembeso · Hindu weddings
Traditional Weddings & Celebrations
The day two families become one. From lobola and umembeso to Hindu wedding ceremonies, we photograph the arrivals, the rituals, the families and the celebration, with the respect each tradition deserves.
Selected work
Weddings and celebrations we’ve photographed
How we work at weddings and celebrations
Your families lead. We follow.
Every family does this differently, and some moments are not for the camera. Before the day we speak to the person coordinating for your family and agree what we photograph, and what we don’t.
We photograph the moments families look back on. At lobola and umembeso: the delegation arriving, the gifts and attire, grandparents and elders, the first time both families sit together, the dancing and the meal. At Hindu weddings: the mehndi and haldi, the sangeet, the baraat arriving, the mandap, the pheras and the blessings from both families. Portraits of the couple and each family are planned into the programme, so nobody has to be chased down later.
What we cover
Photography and film for the whole day
Photography
A planning call with your family’s coordinator, coverage of the ceremony and celebration, and your edited photos in a private online gallery.
Photo + Film
Photographer and videographer together, with a highlight film and a short social film alongside your photos.
With your wedding
Lobola and white wedding, or mehndi, sangeet and wedding day: every event with the same team, planned as one collection.
Celebrations we photograph
South African weddings and celebrations
South Africa celebrates in many ways, and we photograph them all across Johannesburg and beyond.
Zulu weddings
Umembeso, umabo and the gifting of the families.
Xhosa weddings
Traditional ceremonies, the families’ welcome and the celebration that follows.
Sotho & Tswana weddings
Negotiations, the bride’s welcome and the family celebration.
Pedi, Venda, Tsonga & Ndebele weddings
Traditional attire, songs and dancing, and both families together.
Hindu & Tamil weddings
Mehndi, haldi, sangeet, the mandap and the pheras.
Muslim weddings
Nikah and walima, photographed with care for your family’s wishes.
Lobola & white wedding together
Both celebrations, one team, planned as one collection.
Family celebrations
Umemulo, imbeleko, homecomings and vow renewals.
Engagements & anniversaries
Proposals, engagement parties and milestone anniversaries.
Questions
Traditional and Hindu wedding questions
Will you photograph the negotiations?
Only if your families want it. Many families keep the negotiation room private; we photograph the arrivals, gifts and celebration instead, and agree this with your coordinator beforehand.
Who should we put you in touch with?
Whoever is coordinating the day for your family, often an aunt, uncle, the family’s negotiator or your wedding planner. We plan the timings with them and keep the couple informed.
Do you cover Hindu weddings over several days?
Yes. Hindu weddings often run across a few days, with the mehndi, haldi and sangeet before the wedding day. We can cover one event or all of them, and plan the timings around your muhurat and the ceremony at the mandap.
Can you cover a ceremony at a family home outside Johannesburg?
Yes. We travel for traditional weddings and celebrations, and we quote transport and any overnight stay before you book.
Traditional & Hindu weddings
Tell us about your celebration
Send the dates, the venue, which events you need covered and who is coordinating, and we’ll put together a quote for you.