Surya Garigipati Photography & Films photographs baby showers across New Jersey and New York: the godh bharai, seemantham and valaikaappu ceremonies, modern showers and gender reveals, at home or in a hall, with a photographer working close to the family in window light and the in-house film team available. The Flemington studio is rated 4.9 on Google.
At a glance
| Events | Godh bharai, seemantham, valaikaappu, dohale jevan and other blessing ceremonies; modern baby showers; gender reveals |
| Where | At home, usually in the afternoon, or in a hall or restaurant; travel within 90 miles of New Jersey included |
| Coverage | One photographer working close to the family for a home ceremony; two, and the film team, for a hall |
| Light | Window light at home; soft constant light placed before guests arrive in a hall; no on-camera flash |
| Studio | Surya Garigipati Photography & Films LLC, Flemington, New Jersey |
| Reviews | 4.9 on Google from 38 public reviews, including a gender reveal and baby shower: read them |
The ceremonies we photograph
- Godh bharai. The North Indian blessing of the mother-to-be in the seventh month: her lap filled with fruit, sweets and gifts by the women of the family, the bangles, the songs.
- Seemantham and valaikaappu. The Telugu and Tamil ceremonies, often with a priest and a puja at home, the glass bangles slipped on by every married woman in the family, and a feast afterwards.
- Dohale jevan and other regional ceremonies, each with its own order, which we ask about beforehand rather than on the day.
- Modern baby showers and gender reveals, at home or in a hall, with the games, the cake and the moment of the reveal planned so we are in position before it.
How is a ceremony at home different from a wedding?
Smaller rooms, mixed light and the ritual happening in a living room with forty people around it. We arrive early to find the best light in the house, agree with the priest where we can stand during the puja, and keep the gear and the footprint small so the family forgets we are there. The groups are planned in advance, as the family shot list is planned for a wedding, so the photographs of the mother-to-be with every aunt take minutes and not the whole afternoon. Our mehndi and haldi photography guide covers how to set a room up for a home ceremony, and the same advice applies.
A shower in a hall
For a larger shower or a gender reveal in a hall or a restaurant, we light the room the way we light a reception: soft constant lights placed high and to the sides before guests arrive, no on-camera flash, and the reveal planned with the host so the whole room’s reaction is in the frame. The in-house film team can cover the day, with the speeches and the games recorded through the sound system.
Before and after
Many families book a quiet maternity portrait session alongside the ceremony; see our maternity photographer page. After the baby arrives, the first birthday and the family portraits are on our family photographer page, and the other celebrations, housewarmings and sweet sixteens, on the Indian event photographer page.
How do we book?
Tell us the date, the place and the ceremony; Surya replies personally within 24 hours with a written proposal, priced by the event rather than by the hour. Check your date now, or see the services page for everything the studio photographs.
What families wrote on Google
"Surya and his team did a fantastic job for my Gender Reveal and Baby shower Events and we cannot thank him enough 😊 He exceeded our expectations and we highly recommend him for photography and videography, especially if looking for someone experienced! Thanks much Surya!" — Harika
"Nice photographer!! Surya and team did good job in capturing moments from the event in detail. Also he is very flexible and approachable person." — Rakhee Reddy
Questions about baby showers
Do you photograph baby showers and gender reveals?
Yes. The studio’s public Google reviews include a gender reveal and baby shower, alongside the weddings, and godh bharai, seemantham and valaikaappu ceremonies are a regular part of the calendar.
Can you photograph a seemantham or godh bharai at home?
Yes. One photographer works close to the family in window light, agrees positions with the priest in advance and keeps the footprint small; groups are planned beforehand so they take minutes.
Do you offer video for a baby shower?
Yes. The in-house film team can cover a shower in a hall or at home, with the speeches and games recorded through the sound system.
How long do you stay?
For the ceremony and the celebration around it, usually two to four hours; coverage is priced by the event rather than by the hour, so the proposal fits your afternoon.
How is a session priced?
By the event or the session, not by the hour, in a written proposal after a short conversation, itemised so you can see what each part changes. Single celebrations are where the studio’s investment begins; the investment page explains how it works.
A family afternoon
Tell us the date, the place and the ceremony. Surya replies personally within 24 hours.
Check Your Date