READING TIME: 4 min 17 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/21/2024
UPDATED: 09/21/2024
Mili Ghosh’s journey into photography is rooted in a childhood rich with cultural influences. Born in Tanzania and raised in a Gujarati household, she was shaped by the vibrant and diverse environments around her. "Growing up in Dar-es-salaam my love for visual storytelling was nurtured by my passion for Hindi films," Mili recalls, her eyes lighting up with the memory. "The convergence of fashion, film, art, poetry, and music in these films captivated me. I absorbed the subtle cues of visual making—movement, lighting, color, aesthetic, framing—elements that were always at the back of my mind. These technicalities became second nature to me as I immersed myself in the vibrant world of Indian cinema."
Her fascination with Bollywood films of the 80s and 90s left a profound imprint on her artistic vision. "Without access to high-end editorial photography, my still inspiration came from Stardust and Filmfare magazines," she says. Mili would carefully pin them on her bedroom walls, alongside film stills and postcards of her favorite celebrities, often spending hours absorbing the glamour, the emotion, and the drama. "These images, filled with glamour and emotion, sparked my imagination and laid the foundation for my future in photography. I still find myself going back to 80's-90's aesthetics for beauty, styling & also lighting."
The foundation of Mili’s photography lies in this love for visual storytelling. Whether she’s capturing an intimate portrait or a grand, elaborate wedding, the cinematic influence is ever-present. "The dramatic compositions of films, the emotional depth of poetry, the rhythmic flow of music, the vibrant colors of art, and the elegance of fashion all play a crucial role in how I capture the essence of weddings. This cinematic influence is always evident in my work, where I strive to craft moments that have the aesthetic resonance of classic films and their evocative nature," she explains.
Mili has spent over two decades in the world of visual storytelling, first as a cinematographer and then as a photographer. This extensive experience has given her a distinct edge in her photography style. "Between starting off as a cinematographer & then a photographer, it's been over 20 years," she says. "My photography style blends influences from classic cinema, poetry, music, art, and fashion editorials."
Her ability to create images that are both visually compelling and deeply personal is what sets her apart. "I capture the essence of weddings with a mix of planned vision and spontaneous moments," she explains. Mili prides herself on finding a balance between the polished aesthetic of editorial photography and the authenticity of reportage-style documentation. "This results in visually compelling, deeply personal images that reflect the unique vibe of each couple and their celebration."
Mili is also passionate about being involved in the aesthetic decisions of the wedding, ensuring that every visual element contributes to a cohesive and beautiful story. "I also prefer to be involved in the aesthetic choices of the wedding, ensuring every visual element contributes to a cohesive and beautiful story," she notes.
When it comes to post-processing, Mili stands out from many photographers by maintaining a highly manual approach to her work. " I avoid using presets, as they often act as a crutch and can strip away the unique essence of each moment," she states firmly. "I take pride in doing everything manually, ensuring that every image I create is a true reflection of the event and my artistic vision."
Mili is particularly focused on capturing the range of skin tones that are often present in South Asian weddings. "I pay particular attention to skin tones, ensuring they appear radiant and evenly balanced," she says. This attention to detail helps her ensure that every image is both beautiful and authentic.
Even when she’s under pressure to produce images quickly, Mili prefers to stick to her manual editing process. "I do not rely on AI for culling or editing," she asserts. "Even when the pace is fast, and I need to pull out images quickly for submissions or other purposes, I relish the process of manually selecting and editing my photos." This hands-on approach allows her to carefully highlight the emotions and expressions that make each moment unique.
Mili believes in working closely with her clients to bring their vision to life. "We prefer doing creative consultations and being involved as early as I can be to ensure location, the scope of photography for portraits, formals, detailing, editorial is maximized," she explains. By collaborating with couples from the planning stages, Mili can ensure that her photography complements the overall aesthetic of the wedding.
Her approach is highly customized, adapting to the needs of each couple. "We build a proposal based on their hours and their desired preference for the deliverables," she says. This flexibility allows her to tailor her packages to suit a variety of preferences and wedding sizes.
Mili’s experience also enables her to handle a wide range of wedding formats. "We have provided anywhere from 10-15 hours for one day of event. We have also had 30-40 hours dedicated to one multi-day wedding that spans a week or more," she shares. Despite these varying formats, Mili prefers to keep her coverage within 15-20 hours per wedding to ensure she captures everything with the level of detail and attention it deserves.
Mili’s love for destination weddings stems from her fascination with unique locations and architectural gems. "I love a mountain backdrop, lake, gardens, temples, brutalism, interesting architectural gems," she says. These visually stunning locations provide the perfect canvas for her cinematic photography style.
Her passion for architecture and nature comes through in her images, where she expertly weaves the environment into the story of the wedding. Whether it's the serene beauty of a lakeside setting or the grandeur of a historic temple, Mili’s ability to capture the essence of a location enhances the emotional impact of her work.
Mili’s dedication to her craft, combined with her love for storytelling, makes her one of the most sought-after wedding photographers. "I enjoy the endless positive energy and the constant flow of visually stimulating moments at Indian weddings. There's always a new story unfolding before my eyes, whether it's guests having their own intimate moment or everyone filled with genuine smiles, laughter, love, and joy," she says, her passion for her work evident in every word.
