A pre-wedding photoshoot with Surya Garigipati Photography & Films runs two hours across one or two New Jersey locations, with location scouting and outfit guidance included, and delivers more than eighty hand-edited photographs within two weeks, in time for save-the-dates. Sessions happen across New Jersey and New York, and save-the-date films are available.
At a glance
| Session | Two hours, one or two locations, two looks |
| Included | Location scouting, outfit guidance, permits arranged where a park needs one |
| Delivery | More than eighty hand-edited photographs within two weeks |
| Film | Save-the-date films available, with a vertical cut for Instagram |
| When | Three to six months before the wedding works well; late May to mid-June and September to mid-October give the kindest light |
| Where | Across New Jersey, New York City and Philadelphia; travel within 90 miles of New Jersey included |
| Photographer | Surya himself, who also photographs the wedding |
Why a pre-wedding shoot is worth two hours
The photographs are the obvious reason: portraits for the save-the-dates, the welcome sign, the wedding website and the families who want something to frame before the day. The less obvious reason matters more. Two hours in front of the camera before the wedding means that on the day itself you already know how this works: where to stand, how much to ignore the camera, how quickly a portrait is made. Couples who have done a pre-wedding session are visibly more relaxed in their wedding portraits, every time, and by the haldi we already know how you laugh and how your partner looks at you when they think nobody is watching.
Where to have a pre-wedding photoshoot in New Jersey
- The skyline: Liberty State Park and Exchange Place in Jersey City, Pier A Park in Hoboken and the lookouts along Boulevard East in Weehawken, with Manhattan across the water; at their best from an hour before sunset into blue hour.
- Gardens in bloom: Branch Brook Park in Newark for the cherry trees in April, Colonial Park’s rose garden in Somerset through June, Sayen Gardens in Hamilton in May, the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in Montclair in late May, and the New Jersey Botanical Garden at Skylands in Ringwood for an estate look.
- Stone, streets and character: Palmer Square and the university’s Collegiate Gothic in Princeton, Lambertville and the Delaware River towpath close to our studio, and the boardwalk and Convention Hall arches of Asbury Park at sunrise.
- The shore: Sandy Hook and the Monmouth County beaches, for the dunes, the lighthouse and the skyline on the horizon.
Many parks, gardens and campuses require a permit or a fee for professional photography, some do not allow it at all, and the rules change from year to year; we check every location and arrange the permit before the day. Our guide to engagement photoshoot locations in New Jersey compares the favourites with the best time of day for each.
What to wear, and how two looks work
Most couples bring two looks: one traditional and one Western, so the gallery has range and the second location feels like a new chapter. Outfit guidance is part of every session; we talk through colours against the location, fabrics that move and jewellery that photographs well. The full advice is in what to wear for an engagement shoot.
Save-the-date films
Save-the-date films are available alongside the session, made by our in-house cinematographers, with a vertical cut for Instagram. The save-the-date video ideas guide has concepts that work well for Indian couples; the wedding videographer in New Jersey page covers the wedding films.
Pre-wedding shoot or engagement ceremony?
The pre-wedding shoot is a portrait session for the two of you. The engagement ceremony itself, a roka, a sagai, a ring ceremony or an engagement party, is a family event, and we cover it as a single celebration with a lead photographer and a second shooter; see the guide to roka and sagai photography. Our Indian engagement photographer page covers both.
How do we book a pre-wedding shoot?
Most couples book the session as part of their wedding collection, and it can also stand on its own. Send us your date and the look you have in mind; Surya replies personally within 24 hours. The investment page shows how sessions sit inside the collections, the portfolio has more pre-wedding work, and you can check your date now.
What couples wrote on Google
"We had a great time with Surya and his team capturing some of the best moments of our life. Right from pre wedding shoot to the wedding, Surya made sure to capture every frame in the best way… Even during a foggy day for the pre wedding" — Aishwarya Chandrasekaran
"Surya was so kind and amazing to work with. He knew exactly what spots to go to for the best angles and was so efficient with whatever time we had." — Gayathri Pratha
Questions about pre-wedding shoots
How long is a pre-wedding photoshoot?
Two hours, across one or two locations, with time for two outfits. Location scouting and outfit guidance happen before the day.
How many photos do we get, and when?
More than eighty hand-edited photographs within two weeks, in a private online gallery with a print release, in time for save-the-dates.
Where are the best pre-wedding shoot locations in New Jersey?
The Hudson waterfront for the skyline, the gardens of Branch Brook, Colonial Park, Sayen Gardens and Presby in their seasons, Princeton and Lambertville for stone and character, and Asbury Park or Sandy Hook for the shore. We arrange permits where a location needs one.
When should we do the shoot?
Three to six months before the wedding works well, early enough for save-the-dates. Late May to mid-June and September to mid-October give New Jersey its kindest light, and the hour before sunset is the one to keep.
Can we add a video?
Yes. Save-the-date films are available with the session, made by our in-house cinematographers, with a vertical cut for Instagram.
Is the pre-wedding shoot included in the wedding collection?
It can be: most couples book it inside their wedding collection, and it is also available on its own. The investment page shows how sessions sit inside the collections.
Your pre-wedding session
Tell us your wedding date and the look you have in mind. Surya replies personally within 24 hours.
Check Your Date