Weddings, Wisdom, and the Work Behind the Shot: A Conversation with Md Imran

Hello, my name is Md Imran, and I'm a professional photographer based in Chittagong, Bangladesh. My journey into photography began in 2013. I started as a freelancer, armed with my first camera, a Nikon D7000. In those early days, I was incredibly passionate about capturing street scenes and everyday moments.

This period was crucial for me as I immersed myself in understanding camera settings, lighting nuances, and composition techniques. The raw, unfiltered moments I captured on the streets truly inspired me and solidified my decision to pursue photography as a dedicated career.

From there, my work evolved to include fashion photography, and I also undertook many commercial shots in 2014. In September 2014, I founded Photosnap Weddingshot, and since then, we've been operating as full-time professional photographers in the wedding sector.

My photography education has been largely self-taught, driven by my passion. I learned photography by constantly clicking photos and gathering knowledge from the internet, dedicating myself to understanding all the rules and techniques. Beyond this extensive self-learning and practical experience, I've also pursued formal training.

I successfully completed a course on advanced wedding photography and received a certificate from international photographer Joseph Radhik in 2018. I also hold a Photography Course Completion Certificate from the University of Michigan (via Coursera), along with certifications from WPPB (Wedding Portrait Photographer of Bangladesh) as a Lifetime Member.

I've also attended their international conferences, competitions, and expos in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Additionally, I received a certificate from the Sony Photography Experience in 2016.

Yes, I do remember my first significant shoot! It was in 2013, and it involved capturing a holy festival of the Hindu religion. I used my camera to photograph the vibrant festivities and was able to get some truly outstanding photos during that time. This experience, rooted in capturing real-life moments and cultural events, really ignited my passion for photography and set me on the path I'm on today.

Right now, I primarily use a Sony A7IV, a Sony 50mm G Master lens, and a Sony 28mm lens. In my general work, I'm proficient with various equipment, including DSLR and Mirrorless cameras, and different lighting systems.

I hope to continue pushing creative boundaries in photography, especially in wedding documentation. My goal is to consistently deliver high-quality, visually appealing images and videos that exceed client expectations. I also aim to maintain my role as a leading authority in the field, influencing industry trends, particularly in South Asia.

Furthermore, I'm dedicated to mentoring emerging photographers to achieve elite standards, as I've already mentored over 50 junior photographers. Ultimately, I want my work to continue telling unique stories and establishing long-term client relationships through storytelling and technical excellence.

While every positive feedback is valued, what truly inspires and touches me the most are the emotional responses from my clients. I distinctly remember one occasion after I delivered the photos from a wedding: the bride became incredibly emotional and grateful because I had captured so many precious moments with her father, who was no longer with them.

Knowing that my work brought such profound comfort and a lasting memory touched me deeply. Similarly, another bride was so overwhelmingly happy and felt truly glorious seeing the best photos of their special day that she and her partner thanked me profusely.

These moments, where my photography connects with their deepest emotions and preserves irreplaceable memories, are the most rewarding compliments I can receive.

My unique storytelling is primarily inspired by the real, unfiltered moments of life and human connection. My initial passion for street photography taught me how to capture the essence of people's lives and stories in candid portraits. This foundation trained my eye to look for genuine emotions and intricate details in every event I cover, especially weddings.

The challenge of weaving these candid moments into a comprehensive and compelling narrative for each couple or event drives my creative direction. I believe in developing innovative techniques and establishing long-term client relationships through storytelling and technical excellence, always striving to make each set of photographs a distinct and memorable story.

My photography style can be best described as Candid, Emotional, and Storytelling.

Thank you so much! Winning the European Photography Awards is an immense honour and deeply significant for both me and my entire Photosnap Weddingshot team. It represents a culmination of over a decade of dedication, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in wedding photography.

For me personally, it's a profound validation of the artistic vision and innovative storytelling that I strive for in every project. For my team, it's a fantastic recognition of their talent, commitment, and the collaborative spirit that allows us to capture over 3,000 weddings with consistent quality.

This distinction elevates our global presence and reinforces our commitment to pushing creative boundaries and influencing industry trends from Bangladesh.

The winning work I entered into the 2024 European Photography Awards was titled "The Enchanting Elegance of the South Asian Bride". I chose to enter this particular project because it beautifully encapsulates my specialisation in cross-cultural wedding documentation and my dedication to capturing the unique essence and intricate details of South Asian weddings.

The series aimed to showcase not just the visual splendour but also the deep emotions, traditions, and the nuanced storytelling inherent in these celebrations. It was a project that allowed me to highlight the artistic vision and technical precision I've mastered over the years, consistently pushing creative boundaries to tell compelling visual stories. I believed it had the power to resonate globally and offer a unique perspective on a rich cultural heritage through the lens of wedding photography.

Winning an award like the European Photography Award has had a significant impact on my career. Firstly, it provides immense international recognition, which further solidifies my standing as a leading authority in the field. It has already led to exhibitions, such as the one in Ålesund, Norway, and has been featured on the EPA Website.

This increased visibility and credibility can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and potentially a broader client base, both locally and internationally. It also serves as a powerful motivator for my team and me to continue innovating and upholding the highest standards in our craft.

This kind of prestigious acknowledgement not only boosts morale but also reinforces the value of our specialised approach to high-volume wedding coverage and dynamic team leadership.

When it comes to photographers who have inspired me, a few names come to mind: Joseph Radhik, Jerry Ghionis, and Keda Z.

The best piece of advice I received, especially from my mentor Joseph Radhik, was to always focus on storytelling and to capture genuine emotion. He emphasised that beyond technical perfection, what truly makes a photograph timeless is its ability to convey a narrative and connect with the viewer on an emotional level. This advice profoundly shaped my approach, pushing me to always look for the candid moments and the deeper meaning in every frame, especially in wedding photography.

My advice for aspiring photographers today would be multifaceted. Firstly, be relentlessly passionate and proactive in learning. I largely taught myself by constantly clicking and absorbing knowledge from the internet, complementing that with real-life practical experience. Understand the fundamentals of your camera, lighting, and composition inside out.

Secondly, find your unique vision and develop a distinctive voice that sets you apart. Don't just aim to capture images, strive to tell stories and evoke emotions with every shot. While it's good to experiment with various genres, specialising, like I did with wedding photography, allows you to master a craft.

Thirdly, practice consistently and critically review your own work. The more you shoot, the better you get. Lastly, seek out mentors and never stop learning. Whether it's through workshops, online courses, or simply observing the work of those you admire, continuous improvement is key in this ever-evolving field.

My key to success lies in a combination of unwavering passion, continuous innovation, and a deep commitment to my clients. I've always been driven by the desire to push creative boundaries and tell unique stories through my lens. Building long-term client relationships through storytelling and technical excellence has been crucial.

My parting words of wisdom would be:

Love what you do, and let that love translate into every single photograph you take. Authenticity, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of growth will always be your greatest assets in photography.

I stay receptive to new information and knowledge by maintaining a mindset of continuous learning and experimentation. My journey began with extensive self-learning through clicking photos and absorbing knowledge from the internet. This foundation instilled in me the understanding that photography is an ever-evolving field. I actively seek out new techniques, particularly in post-production, staying updated with tools like Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, and Premiere Pro.

I also engage with the wider photography community through professional affiliations like AsiaWPA and WPPB International, attending conferences and workshops. For instance, I've received certifications from international photographers like Joseph Radhik and completed courses from institutions like Michigan State University. This blend of practical application, formal training, and networking ensures I'm always open to new ideas and advancements in the industry.

This recognition from the European Photography Awards is not just an award; it's an affirmation that the stories we tell from Bangladesh resonate globally, and it motivates me to continue innovating and inspiring others in the photography community.