Our Story
Meet the
team.
Karan & The Team
We’re not just behind
the camera.
We’re Karan and Ammie, and yes, that’s us in some of those pre-wedding shots. A little reminder that we’re not just capturing love stories from the outside; we’re living one too.
Illest Productions was born from a passion for documentary storytelling and a belief that the most powerful moments are unscripted. Based in Auckland, we work across New Zealand and internationally, specialising in multicultural celebrations: Samoan, Indian, Modern, Muslim, Punjabi, Sri-Lankan, Fijian and more.
Our approach is always the same: blend in, anticipate the moment, and capture it before it’s gone.
01
Candid
We don’t do stiff, posed photography. Every image tells an honest story.
02
Documentary
We approach every wedding like a film shoot — always looking for the next scene.
03
Modern
Bold editing, cinematic colour, editorial composition. Timeless, never dated.
Yo, I’m Karan, founder & Lead Photographer of Illest Productions
I’m the guy who’ll hype you up, crack a few dumb jokes, and make sure your wedding day actually feels fun — not like a photo shoot. My job? To keep things stress-free while I capture all the raw, real moments you’ll want to relive forever. Think of me as your mate who just happens to carry a couple of cameras everywhere.
From Punjab to New Zealand
I grew up in Punjab, India, the kid who’d borrow a mate’s camera and shoot everything in auto mode because, honestly, I had no idea what I was doing. But I loved it — editing random photos, experimenting, seeing what I could create.
Fast forward 10+ years, I still have those photos: school days, nights out, big family parties. Looking back at them made me realize something — those messy, raw, unposed moments are priceless.
My first “real” wedding? A full-blown, four-day celebration. It was intense, chaotic, and absolutely epic… and it confirmed this was exactly what I was meant to do.
- Documentary + Cinematic: Real moments > fake smiles. I’ll guide you with fun prompts instead of stiff poses.
- Energy & Chill: I bring hype when the vibes are up, and calm when you need a breather.
- All-in-One: Photos, films, reels, even prints — no need to juggle ten different vendors.
- Zero Stress Promise: Your day will fly by. My goal is to let you be fully present while I handle the storytelling.
What It’s Like to Work With us
Couples usually say I’m easygoing, a bit cheeky, and always looking out for them. I’m big on:
Keeping it chill: You won’t feel like you’re in a photoshoot bootcamp.
Helping out before the big day: Rehearsals, timeline advice, engagement shoots — I’m in.
Capturing the real stuff: The tears, the laughs, the in-between glances you didn’t even notice were happening.
Illest means the realest — and that’s the standard I bring to every wedding I shoot.
Beyond the Lens
When I’m not at weddings, you’ll probably catch me at the gym (trying to balance my love for food 🍔), messing around with new editing gear or tech setups, or hanging out with Ammie and our soon-to-arrive baby girl.
I’ve got Punjabi roots, Kiwi respect, and a bunch of tattoos that tell stories from cultures I vibe with — Māori, Islander, and more. Life’s too short to be serious all the time, so I live light, crack jokes, and keep it real.
Let’s Capture Your Story
Your wedding day will be a blur. Let’s make sure the memories last — not just what it looked like, but how it actually felt.
Whether you’re ready to book or just keen for a quick consultation call, I’d love to connect.