Suhaila Ramees is a talented and ambitious woman who pursued her dream of photography. She has made her name as an excellent wedding photographer. Suhaila is able to make her brides super comfortable during shoots and ensures that the bride looks stunning in all photographs. Suhaila is a wife and a mother, she juggles her role as a professional along with all her responsibilities.
Tell us about yourself and what you do?
Hey, My name is Suhaila Ramees & I am a professional photographer. I capture weddings, events, products, maternity, new born & kids shoots. I have been in this field for the past 7 years. I graduated from JDT Islam College of Arts & Science, Velimadikunnu in 2013 and eventually started working as a photographer for a firm in Dubai (Imprint Studio). Apart from photography being my profession, I am also married, I have a 4 year old son and I am a housewife as well.
Tell us about your previous jobs/ventures? What were you doing before you started photography?
Photography has always been my passion. Never did I imagine working as a photographer. I did look for many desk jobs. But, by God’s grace, I landed at a job in photography in the beginning itself.
Where is your business based out of? Why do you think that is the best place for you?
Our business is currently based in South India, and we are trying to extend our boundaries. Kerala seems like the best place as there are very limited female professional photographers. Our clientele is mostly Muslim/Orthodox brides and those who prefer our style of photography. Also, sometimes I travel to Dubai for wedding work, as part of freelancing.
What is most exciting about your profession?
The most exciting part is being able to capture a couple’s happy and special moments. I try to capture the raw moments, rather than recreating moments. Most of my clientele are Muslim brides, who usually aren’t comfortable in men taking their portraits. Being a female photographer allows me to help my brides be comfortable and pose casually. It feels satisfying when you know that they are happy at the end of the day and are comfortable in front of the camera.
There are so many wedding photographers now, how do you stand out from your competitors? How do you keep yourself updated in this industry.
I get to stand out from my competitors as I am a lady photographer, I have an added advantage as the industry is mostly dominated by men. I refer to a lot of photographs and ideas in order to create different moments and also to bring out trendsetting ideas.
How hard is it to have a work-life balance as a wedding photographer, having to travel for shoots, how do you manage it?
It’s quite hard, as when I do have to travel, I take my kid along with me. Even if I am at home, we end up spending more time in the office. My job is like my life. I’m constantly working. If not out in the field shooting weddings. I’d be in the office completing editing works.
In the recent years people are spending a lot on wedding photography. How do you evaluate this trend?
Yes, it’s true. Newer generations are attracted to many of our cultural ceremonies and are willing to bring it into their weddings even if they’re from different religions. It is for the best, as now people realize with these trends they can make their weddings more beautiful. Allowing us as photographers to capture more content we have more chances to get creative with our shots. Our biggest task sometimes is when it comes to locations. Nowadays, many event planners are out there that help out in making a simple hall or home look grand on the wedding day!
What are the newest trends in the wedding industry for the photographers?
The biggest ongoing trend is capturing the couple portraits’ before/after their wedding, these occasions being called as pre-weddings, post-Wedding, save the date, bridal/groom shower. Another one being, destination weddings.
Being a wedding photographer means to deal with customers with huge expectation. How do you ensure customer satisfaction in your profession?
Most of my clients hire me as they like the tone in my photography. Also, mostly I try to capture the event as it is. Capture the raw moments on the wedding day, rather than try to recreate a moment. When it comes to portraits shots, I try to capture more classy type of portraits.
Tell us about your team and how did you meet each other?
My team is my family. My husband being my biggest support and partner in the business. I met many friends through social media as well, who joined the company to learn and grow and eventually start their own ventures. But mostly, whoever has been part of the team so far has always been like family.
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