When Amit Shah and Aditya Madiraju got married recently during a traditional, religious Hindu ceremony in a temple in New Jersey, little did they know what a positive impact their union, and their wedding images, would have on the internet. (In India, same-sex marriage hasn’t been recognized legally yet.)

Photographed by Charmi Peña, the images immediately went viral.

“I knew I was documenting something big for the Indian community,” says Peña. “Representation matters, and knowing how seeing themselves reflected is helping people is so fulfilling for me.”

Peña continues: “In my life and in my business, I always want to make sure I’m being as inclusive as possible. I want everyone to know they’re welcome in this photography business. But I didn’t see it coming, how this would go so far beyond that. To be able to provide imagery that has served as hope for SO many LGBTQ Hindu people who now can imagine getting married—and in a temple at that—has been so fulfilling. Capturing every wedding is important, of course. But this wedding went beyond family heirlooms and spread hope into a worldwide community. I love that.”

Peña notes that all the images were photographed in natural light to respect the temple’s rules. Portraits were taken in the couple’s home to include their beloved dog, Adam, and at a Hindu Temple in central New Jersey.

GEAR OF THE DAY

Cameras: Nikon Z6 and Z7
Lenses: NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8S, 85mm f/1.8G with FTZ adapter

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