In a world where wedding photography often leans into curated perfection and trend-driven visuals, Ombre by Harsheen offers a soulful counterpoint. Known for her emotionally resonant frames and painterly sense of composition, Harsheen’s approach is rooted in presence, empathy, and an unwavering trust in the organic rhythm of the day. “You compose how to frame the moment, not the moment itself,” she says, underscoring a philosophy that favors vulnerability over performance, and emotion over aesthetic control. Whether capturing the delicate tension of a ritual, the warmth of a fleeting glance, or the quiet intimacy between two people in love, her work transcends trends to document something far more lasting: truth.
1. How do you approach capturing a moment that is both emotionally honest and aesthetically composed?
By letting the moment unfold as it is while positioning myself in anticipation of the moment. Being truly present in the moment prepares you to compose it before it has even happened. At times, I also suggest locations for certain situations like getting-ready set up according to my best judgement of light. As a photographer, I compose how to frame the moment and not the moment which aids in emotional honesty.
2. Much of your work seems to center around expression, fleeting glances, subtle gestures, unguarded emotion. How do Ombre by Harsheen create a space where such vulnerability can emerge in front of the camera?
By let them be - let the moment be, let the people be and let the situations be as they are. When you do not over direct or hinder the couple’s day, you make them feel that you trust them with their day. Once the trust is established, the vulnerability emerges as they no longer see me as a photographer but as a trusted friend where they are allowed to let their guards down. My lens is guided by empathy as I truly believe in helping the couple eternalize their day however possible.
3. In an era where wedding visuals are heavily influenced by social media trends, how do you maintain a sense of individuality and emotional depth in the images you create?
Trends come and go, the memories from a wedding stay forever. In today’s fast-paced, social media–driven world, it’s easy to let the desire for the perfect post overshadow the true essence of a wedding. Far too often, our focus shifts from fully experiencing those heartfelt moments to crafting an "Instagram-worthy" narrative. While sharing your joy is wonderful, the beauty of your wedding lies in its intimate, lived emotions rather than in perfectly staged content.
4. Can you speak to how your background in painting informs the way you frame or light a wedding scene?
As I have always been fascinated by painting, photography came naturally to me where brushtrokes of colors were intercepted with light play. In photography, the canvas is dark and you paint through light. My background in painting helps me delve deeper into colors, abstract vision and mixed media experimentation as my art is no longer medium-dependent.
5. Weddings can be emotionally intense, logistically chaotic and deeply personal all at once. How do you and your team balance being present, unobtrusive observers while also directing or composing certain moments?
We follow a strict non-intrusive policy once the event starts. For us to achieve our vision, we are involved in the wedding right from the planning process so that with the collaborative efforts of the planners, decorators and couple, we are able to design the basis of a moment, for example, suggesting Vermala location or timings or lighting set up for Sangeet. We brainstorm ideas for couple shoots and draw inspiration for their outfits, accessories and the decor moodboards for which we might also request a certain set up in the property itself. As a team, we thrive in chaos and our team size ensures that everything is balanced properly.
6. Across different cultures and continents, love is both universal and deeply contextual. How has photographing weddings globally shaped your understanding of intimacy, ritual and storytelling?
I have understood that underneath the layers of various rituals, customs and ceremonies, what remains constant is the love that the couple and their families share. The more I photograph different cultures, the more I accept that love is a universal language. Photography is an artform that transcends language and only requires visual literacy and awareness and through my work, I aim to showcase that even if on the surface the cultures look different, the thread that ties them together is love and various ways to communicate love.
About Harsheen Jammu -
Harsheen Jammu, Founder of Ombré, brings a self-taught artistic vision and depth to the luxury wedding photography space. With global recognition, including her role as an international brand ambassador for Fujifilm, Harsheen has led Ombre to document over 500 weddings across 8 countries. In this exclusive conversation, she shares her journey as a creative trailblazer, the philosophy behind Ombré, and how Ombre is redefining wedding photography through the art of honest emotion
