Loading
Where we shoot
Pre-wedding and portrait locations we know well, with honest notes on light, crowds and permissions. Drive times are from our studio in Rajsamand.
Rajsamand Lake and Nau Chowki
Rajsamand town
Our home ground. Maharana Raj Singh built the lake in the 17th century, and its southern bank at Nau Chowki is a long run of white marble steps, carved pavilions and chhatris. Early on a winter morning the water is still and the ghats are almost empty.
- From the studio
- in town, about 10 min
- Best light
- Sunrise, when mist sits on the water and the marble turns pink
Good to know before you go
The ghats are a public place where people walk, bathe and pray, so we shoot early and keep out of their way. Drones need a registered drone and a check of the airspace map first.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Kumbhalgarh, Rajsamand district
The 15th-century fort's wall runs for kilometres over the Aravalli ridges, wide enough to walk along. After the monsoon the hills turn green; in winter the air is clear and the stone glows in the evening.
- From the studio
- about 1 hr 15 min
- Best light
- Late afternoon on the walls, until the fort closes around sunset
Good to know before you go
It is a ticketed monument with fixed hours. A professional shoot with tripods, lights or video may need prior permission and a fee, so we check with the site office before fixing the date. Drones are not allowed without permission.
Lake Pichola and the City Palace
Old city, Udaipur
The classic Udaipur frame: a small boat on still water with the City Palace behind. Evenings bring the warm light and the palace lights coming on. Mornings at the old ghats are quieter, with fewer tourists in the background.
- From the studio
- about 1 hr 30 min
- Best light
- Sunset into blue hour from a boat; early morning at the ghats
Good to know before you go
Boats can be booked from several ghats, and a private boat for sunset is common. Parts of the City Palace are ticketed and a professional shoot inside needs the palace's permission. Drones over the lake and palaces are not allowed without approval.
Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace)
Hilltop, west of Udaipur
The palace sits on a hilltop inside a wildlife sanctuary, with views over Udaipur's lakes and the Aravallis. On a clear winter afternoon you can see a long way, and the clouds of the monsoon give the place its name.
- From the studio
- about 1 hr 45 min
- Best light
- Late afternoon, with the city and its lakes below
Good to know before you go
Entry is ticketed at the sanctuary gate, the road up is steep, and the site usually closes around sunset, sometimes before it in winter. Video cameras may carry an extra charge. Rules change, so we confirm before the day.
Fateh Sagar Lake
North Udaipur
A wide lake ringed by hills, with island gardens and a long promenade. It is open and easy to reach, which makes it good for a relaxed first look or a few frames before moving on to Badi Lake or Sajjangarh.
- From the studio
- about 1 hr 30 min
- Best light
- Early morning, when the promenade is quiet and the hills are soft
Good to know before you go
The promenade is public and gets crowded in the evening and on weekends, so we prefer mornings. Boating runs only in the daytime and may stop in bad weather.
Haldighati
Near Khamnor, Rajsamand district
The pass where Maharana Pratap fought in 1576, named for its turmeric-coloured soil. The ochre earth, rocky hills and quiet roads make a warm, earthy setting that looks nothing like the lakes.
- From the studio
- about 45 min
- Best light
- Late afternoon, when the yellow earth glows
Good to know before you go
This is a place of memory for Mewar, with the Chetak memorial and a museum nearby. We keep shoots respectful and away from the memorials themselves. There is little shade, so carry water.
Badi Lake
About 12 km north-west of Udaipur
A quieter lake in the hills outside Udaipur, built in the 17th century, with stone chhatris on the bank. At dawn the water is like glass, and there are far fewer people than on the city lakes.
- From the studio
- about 1 hr 45 min
- Best light
- Sunrise, when the water is still and the hills reflect
Good to know before you go
There are few facilities, so come with water and anything you need. Parking fills early on winter weekends; we leave Udaipur before sunrise. Check the airspace map before planning a drone shot.
Somewhere else in mind?
Havelis, farmhouses, your family's own courtyard. Tell us the place and we'll tell you the best time of day to shoot it.