Surya Garigipati Photography & Films photographs Indian and South Asian family events across New Jersey: sweet sixteens and milestone birthdays, housewarmings and religious ceremonies, engagement parties, baby showers, and family and maternity portraits. Photography and film come from one in-house team, and many of these families first worked with Surya at their wedding.
At a glance
| Events | Sweet 16 and milestone celebrations; housewarming and religious ceremonies; engagement parties; baby showers and gender reveals |
| Portraits | Family and maternity portraits; editorial and fashion portraiture |
| Film | Available from the in-house film team |
| Studio | Flemington, New Jersey; travel within 90 miles of New Jersey included |
| Reviews | 4.9 on Google from 38 public reviews, including a two-day housewarming, a baby shower and a children’s event |
| Enquiries | Check your date: a reply within 24 hours |
Which family events do you photograph?
The milestones in between. Many of these come from couples we photographed years earlier, which is, genuinely, the best part of doing this long enough.
- Sweet sixteens and milestone birthdays. A completely different brief to a wedding: less formality, more energy, and a guest of honour who knows exactly what she does and does not want.
- Housewarmings and religious ceremonies. A gruhapravesam or a pooja at home, sometimes across two days, with the priest, the family and the new house all in the story.
- Engagement parties, rokas and sagais. Covered as a single celebration with a lead photographer and a second shooter; see our guide to roka and sagai photography.
- Baby showers and gender reveals. Godh bharai or a modern shower, at home or in a hall.
- Family and maternity portraits. Planned sessions with the same care as a wedding portrait.
How is an event at home different from a wedding?
Smaller rooms, mixed light and the ceremony 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 pooja, and keep the gear and the footprint small so the family forgets we are there. Groups are planned in advance, just as the family shot list is planned for a wedding, so the photographs of the grandparents with every grandchild take minutes and not the whole afternoon.
How do you photograph an evening party in a hall?
The same way we photograph a sangeet or a reception: no on-camera flash, and soft, constant lights placed high and to the sides of the room before guests arrive, so faces are lit and the colours of the décor survive. Entrances, performances and speeches are planned with the host and the DJ, and the film team records the audio through the DJ’s board. Our guide to sangeet and reception lighting explains why this matters.
What do these events cost?
Every event gets its own written proposal after a short conversation, itemised so you can see what each part changes. Coverage is priced by event, not by the hour. The investment page explains how the studio prices its work.
What families wrote on Google
"Surya and his team provided exceptional photography services during our recent two-day housewarming ceremony in NJ." — Jhansi Maguluri
"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
"Loved working with Surya and team and appreciate the awesome professionalism and service they offered for our kids event. It was an absolute privilege to work with them." — tulasi dondapati
Planning a wedding as well? See our pages for an Indian wedding photographer in New Jersey, sangeet and mehndi photography and all our services.
Questions about family events
Do you photograph sweet sixteens?
Yes. Sweet sixteens and milestone celebrations are a regular part of the studio’s work, photographed with the same lighting and planning as a reception.
Can you photograph a housewarming pooja at home?
Yes, including two-day housewarming ceremonies. We agree positions with the priest in advance and plan around the light in your home.
Do you photograph baby showers and gender reveals?
Yes. The studio’s public Google reviews include a gender reveal and baby shower, and a children’s event, alongside the weddings.
Do you offer video for family events?
Yes. The in-house film team can cover any event, with the speeches and performances recorded through the DJ’s board.
How far do you travel for an event?
Travel within 90 miles of New Jersey, which covers the whole state, New York City and Philadelphia, is included.
Your celebration
Tell us the occasion, the date and the place. Surya replies personally within 24 hours.
Check Your Date