Romesh Dhamija started off his career with the doyen of the film industry, Yash Raj Films. After 4 years with YRF, he set off to work towards his passion and ended up assisting some great photographers. His company, Romesh Dhamija Productions, have shot scores of weddings and specialise in destination weddings
Something about yourself…
I love weddings. I love the stemmed idea that photography can be sprinkled as magical pixie dust on your wedding day to seize precious moments. I believe pictures should not be about twirling or jumping or play up to the camera. It should capture the unobtrusive moments, candid moments. I recognised timelessness at a young bubbling age and realised that every frame should tell a story, one that is captured naturally. I believe that photography isn’t slapping warm filters on everything; it is about capturing the vibrant essence of moments. A moment of the couple exchanging their vows, with hugs and laughter hung in the air. Moments of friends of the groom gorging sweet and savoury dishes until their mouths are stuffed with joy; along with so many other moments worth capturing. All of these moments are a part of me; it makes me a person who I am today.
What attracted you to photography?
For me, it all started with my father’s passion, which was stemmed from collecting vintage cameras, clicking pictures and saving them in the trinket box of life. Later in life, I grew up and started working with Yash Raj Films as a Graphic Designer. To be honest, photography has always been a hobby even when I was working for 4 years in their Home and Video Division. My gut feeling told me to commence my journey towards my passion – photography.
One fine day, my friend wanted me to capture treasure clicks on his wedding day. As much as I was reluctant, I didn’t want to say no to him. Today, when I look back, nothing makes me happier than remembering his face eloquent of magic and sheer happiness when he first saw the fresh prints. His happiness made my chest swell with pride as I was able to breathe life into the pictures just the way my father did. After I realised this, there was no looking back. I knew that this is what I wanted – to immortalize strings of stories through photography.
You specialise in wedding photography. What made you choose this particular subject?
After I quit my job at Yash Raj Films, I assisted commercial photographers like Colston Julian followed by Joy Datta. I obviously wanted to chalk out a path towards fashion and studio portraiture. However, my friend’s wedding turned out to be a blessing in disguise for me and I knew in a snap that this is what made me the happiest. With the perfect blend of capturing moments to rewriting stories through pictures, I discovered my love for wedding photography.
For me, it all started with my father’s passion, which was stemmed from collecting vintage cameras, clicking pictures and saving them in the trinket box of life
How would you describe your photography style?
Scores of people ask me this question. However, even today, I have the same answer. It is hard for me to describe something that comes straight through my heart. But one thing is for sure, I love imprinting contentment in the hearts of people through pictures so that they can look back to the happiest days of their lives
Nowadays almost everyone has access to devices with which it is possible to take pictures. What do you think is the difference between a professional photographer and a hobby photographer?
I believe, no matter how much a person has access to technology, if one doesn’t believe in capturing the genuine reflection of your emotions; the photographs are merely pieces of paper. One should look back in time and say “We did it” with elation, that’s when you know there is really something you have done
Which pro photographers have influenced your work, and how do you incorporate their techniques into your photographs?
When we started out, wedding photography was not considered a niche hence, there weren’t many whom we could refer to for inspiration from India. Nevertheless, I got my source of inspiration from photographers from UK viz. Salshan. Commercial photographers like Zack Arias, Joey L and few others were my steering wheel of motivation. I thank my stars for I have been guided under immense expertise and passion, which is well-reflected from their work.
What details do you believe make the best photographs? How do you go about focusing on them in your work?
Emotional chronicle of events make the best photographs, which captures a lot of human emotions. More than sticking to trends and asking couples to pose, I believe in capturing them in their true essence. Couple sharing their first glance, seeking blessing from their loved ones, exchanging warm smiles and hugs, tears rolling down the cheeks, and enthusiasm filled during dance performances – all of these make the best strings of memories of a wedding
Since photography techniques and equipment change quickly, it is important to stay up-to-date. What do you do to keep up with the times?
I believe that staying abreast of changes when it comes to technology is significant since it gives more scope to experiment with pictures loaded with novel ideas. However, when it comes to trends, I don’t ‘mimic a trend’, I try to bring out the best of the couple in their most candid forms. Be it under the deep blue skies, or by the vibrant pastel decors – wherever they feel they are in their cocoon.
What is the most difficult part of being a photographer for you? How do you connect with difficult clients?
If you’re lucky you find difficult clients while climbing your graph of success. Trust me, it makes you a better professional. I believe that more than a difficult client, you will find people with whom you can’t tune ideas with, and that is human. I take this as an opportunity armed with skills, knowledge and patience to turn the client positively.
What is the most rewarding part about being a photographer?
I believe that my greatest accolades are the faces, which light up when they see their pictures q u i n t e s s e n c e of love and deep emotions. Nothing makes me happier than their joyous faces. At the end of the day, their smiles are my inspiration to wake up the next day filled with zeal and zest and deliver my best at work.
Future plans and career goals…
For now, saturation has hit hard in life and I am forever grateful for the way things have turned out. Today, weddings have been ingrained in us and we aim to continue knitting memories for beautiful couples. Furthermore, since weddings are getting mainstream there seems a great scope on the OTT platforms. When the time is right, we would love to dip in the pools of OTT, imprinting our work in the hearts and heads of people
