Blending Boston Architecture and Indian Heritage: Sejal and Akash

For Sejal and Akash, this engagement shoot was about more than photos—it was about honoring heritage. Sejal came to me wanting a Punjabi-inspired aesthetic that reflected her Indian roots while still feeling true to them as a couple, and as a Boston couples photographer, those are the stories I’m always drawn to. As we began shaping their engagement shoot, it naturally became a collaboration grounded in culture, intention, and a shared vision.

Sejal first reached out to me over Instagram (cheeky plug: @johnfrancisphotography) after admiring my work and seeing how it could translate into her idea. From the start, we went back and forth on locations, dialing in something that matched her vision of concrete textures, archways, and more enclosed architectural spaces—elements I’m always looking for as a Boston couples photographer to add depth and structure.

Being born and raised in Boston, I know a lot of spots, but many indoor locations like that require permits. We ended up choosing Larz Anderson Park in Brookline—a place I used to go sledding as a child—which gave us that same feeling with its romantic charm and beautiful concrete structures. I scouted the park a few days before and sent Sejal videos to confirm, and she loved it right away.

We met on a super windy day, which ended up adding so much to the shoot—the movement in her and Akash’s traditional Indian outfits made everything feel even more alive and romantic. We started at the aptly named Temple of Love and worked from a vision board Sejal had put together, approaching everything collaboratively—less like a structured shoot and more like creating alongside friends, playful and open to experimenting.

As we explored the grounds, we found incredible light and made our way to a stone trellis, layering in different textures and backdrops. In between, we talked about growing up in Massachusetts, Indian culture, and Indian weddings, diving into their plans for their wedding in Antigua Guatemala.

The whole session felt romantic, rooted in heritage, and genuinely fun—everything I aim to create as a Boston couples photographer, and what makes engagement shoots in Boston, my hometown, feel all the more personal.