Armanda @ Hindu Temple

Believe it or not, this was shot at a Hindu Temple smack dab in the middle of a St. Louis suburb. 

Go figure. I found this place by taking a wrong turn down a wooded road once and was floored. I’m a sucker for architecture and this place was beautiful so I had the idea in the back of my mind to try to shoot there in the future. It wasn’t until a few years later that I actually got the chance. More like I finally plucked up the courage to give them a call and ask for permission.

I can’t even lie though, I was kinda nervous that they would be offended by me wanting to shoot there but they were nothing but kind and welcoming. They told us to come inside once we got there and gave us a quick tour of the temple and wow! Just wow! I can’t describe the ornate offerings and depictions of the gods and goddesses any other way. But they gave us free run to shoot anywhere as long as it was outside and we respected everyone’s space.

My only regret is not going back and redoing this shoot because the weather conditions were really shitty that day so we were dodging torrential rains where you couldn’t see your own hand in front of your face and black clouds. So I didn’t really get as many shots as I wanted and because of the weather, you don’t really get a good feel for the architecture of the building. But thanks to my model, Armanda, for being so patient and bearing through getting dumped on we got a few really cool shots.

So shoutout to the Hindu Temple of St. Louis. If you’re ever in the area please go check it out and stay for a service.