It is very enjoyable to capture candid portraits of the most emotional and open guests of the weddings - children. Each photo shows the personality of a child in all its beauty. Children are fun, charming, curious and full of joy. Everybody has a very strong emotional connection with these images and it is precious. For this reason New Jersey wedding photographer Iryna Shostak is always very observant and ready to capture the moment as soon as it reveals. Kids love to have fun and never pretend and hide their emotions and this makes this imagery so amazing. It is very helpful to have a second photographer whose job to look for a unique perspective and find interesting moments happening during formal portraits.
Should we invite kids to our wedding?
This is one question that every bride and groom to be should ask themselves as they plan their wedding and create their guest list.
Most couples already have friends and family members who have children so this can be a tough decision. Children have a tendency to get bored and fussy quite easily, something that can turn your wedding into a noisy affair.
If you do decide that you want to include children in your big celebration, you’ll want to make sure that they’re happy and entertained at all times.
Here are a few fun ideas for keeping those little bodies busy during your wedding.
Create an epic kids table
Setting up a few kids tables with various activities is one of the best ways to keep smaller guests busy for hours, especially during the speeches. Add games, puzzles, activity and coloring books to the tables so that the kids can choose something that appeals to them. You could also add a few goodie bags to the table that contain treats, bubbles or a small toy.
Include them in the wedding activities
Children really enjoy helping out and being a part of the day’s activities so give them an important job to do such as handing out pamphlets. If they feel like they’re helping out, they won’t get a chance to be bored. Another cute idea is to give each child a disposable camera so they can snap some photos on the day.
Let them spend time outdoors
If the weather is warm on the day, set up a few outdoor games such as Jenga or activities such as hula-hoops. If the children are a little older, you can also set up a crafts table that they can use to create props for a photo booth or a wedding memento for their parents.
Set up a kids room
If you want to keep children entertained and away from the main festivities, set up a cool kids room or cave that contains beanbags, tables, movies and activities that they can enjoy.
Contact Philadelphia top wedding photographer Iryna Shostak here!
Location: 222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Copyright © 2025 - Philadelphia, PA - (856) 856-9951 - iryna@irynashostak.com
There is one word that almost adequately describes an Indian wedding: grand. They are grand in size, in emotion, in attention to detail, in color, and cultural and familial importance. While every wedding and every couple’s traditions are always significant, at an Indian wedding, even the most minute detail can be even more significant in scope.
In my experience, the splendor of an Indian wedding can last multiple hours or even a few days. There are countless ceremonies within the wedding, each with its significance, and rich in tradition. Understanding the importance of each ceremony is paramount to capture it properly. India is a multi-cultural nation, and as such, each culture and religion differ in both customs and practices, especially where it comes to celebrations of great importance.
Through my work as a wedding photographer in New Jersey I have learned so much about Hindi, Muslim, Jain, and Parsee weddings, which has made me a better, more informed photographer. I have found every moment to be opulent and vibrant from the texture of the clothes to the beadwork, the bold colors of the wedding party, the flowers, the pillows, and general décor.
I have learned to ask key questions about what is unique and significant about the wedding they have planned, and how to ensure I record every moment as it unfolds with the appreciation it deserves. Every wedding is a journey. It is the culmination of two people’s paths coming together to build a new life as one. Particular to any Indian wedding I have ever had the honor to photograph or attend, is the often exceptional length of the event. As someone who trains for marathons, I see Indian weddings as marathons of love, and that’s a race I truly enjoy running.
Meeting with my couples, and sometimes their families is an essential part of preparing to shoot any wedding. However, Indian weddings are not only grand in length and ceremony; they are also widely attended by extended family and friends. I have learned to ask strategic questions about who will be attending the wedding, making a clear list of important family members and guests who the couple wishes to have formal or candid portraits of.
Identifying the critical members of the family and bridal party, combined with knowledge about the ceremonies taking place, helps to ensure that each moment is appropriately and carefully captured. These groupings are critically important to the family members, and it’s also important that they are done in the most efficient manner properly so that the bride and groom and their guests can move on to the other important ceremonial parts of the day.
These are important inquiries to make as often ceremonies involve several people of importance who are in attendance. For instance, the application of the Henna is often not only applied to the bride’s hands but other ladies in the family. I love using a long lens to capture the intimacy of the moment as it unfolds, and then capturing details such as the jewelry worn, or the bride’s hand placed against the stunning hues of her wedding sari. Every gesture and every movement is so important!
In my experience, perhaps one of the most crucial things a photographer should bring with them to an Indian wedding is flexibility. From getting ready, which is intricate in detail as the Indian wedding jewelry is fitted, to the wedding dress, the Baraat, or the photographing of the Mandap, and the wedding ceremony itself, the timeline for the day must be flexible and able to effortlessly, and enthusiastically embrace adjustments.
From the colorful fabrics to the top of the flowers or the canopy, there is so much to enjoy, so many outstanding portrait backdrops and opportunities; it’s key to remain flexible, to be able to go the distance with enthusiasm and appreciation to ensure every aspect of the wedding has been honored and captured.
If you are seeking an experienced, respectful and enthusiastic wedding photographer for your upcoming Indian wedding ceremony in the Greater Philadelphia area, I would love to talk more with you about your plans.
Copyright © 2025 - Philadelphia, PA - (856) 856-9951 - iryna@irynashostak.com
