At sunrise, Church Street looks nothing like its late night self. The neon lights are off, the pubs are shut, and the clinking of glasses has given way to the clicks of camera shutters. If you’re here at 06:00 am, the street is dotted with photographers setting up tripods, couples twirling in coordinated outfits, and stylists rushing to touch up makeup. This is particularly true on weekends.
Normally bustling with crowds in the evenings, Church Street is much quieter at this time. There are photo shoots unfolding every 50 to 100 meters, each at their own pace.
The popular Bengaluru street, known for its cafes and bars, has, in recent years, emerged as a favourite backdrop for professional photography ranging from pre-wedding shoots, fashion lookbooks, brand campaigns, and personal portfolios. Church Street’s tiled pavements and graffitied walls are so familiar to Bangaloreans, that the location is often recognised instantly on social media even without a location tag.
Arbitrary rules in public spaces
However, the shift to Church Street wasn’t entirely deliberate. It was driven by the demands of convenience, cost-effectiveness, and visual appeal—none of which are easily accessible or free elsewhere in the city.
Professional photography in public spaces across Bengaluru has become increasingly restricted. Cubbon Park and Lalbagh, once go-to locations for photo shoots, have been off-limits since a 2018 ban by the state Department of Horticulture.
Photographers told TNM that accessibility has worsened significantly in recent years in iconic and scenic locations such as Nandi Hills and Ulsoor Lake. Acquiring permission in any of these government-managed spaces—that were once crowd favourites—has become a murky and confusing process. More often than not, permissions are denied outright.
“Getting access to these places has become a nightmare,” Santosh Narendra, an independent photographer, told TNM.
“I was once asked for Rs 50,000 for a one-day classical dance shoot at Lalbagh by the Department of Horticulture a year ago,” Santosh alleges, adding, “They said they’d give permission, but handed me a small, white slip asking for the money. It all depends on whom you know. They can ask for any arbitrary sum of money. It depends on which MLA you call.” Santosh has been working as a photographer for over a decade, often with clothing brands and cafes.
With such restrictions in place, heading to a botanical garden or 60 kilometres away from the city to Nandi Hills for a sunrise shot, is no longer convenient nor cost-effective. This is particularly true for couples who are juggling work and wedding planning.
Why photographers prefer Church Street
Unlike heritage sites, Church Street offers photographers a hassle-free alternative. “After the ban on photography in parks, we started scouting for more accessible urban locations,” said 26-year-old Karthik Murulidharan, who has been running his father’s photo studio, GK Vale, in Malleshwaram for the past six years.
He adds, “There are no charges to pay for conducting photo shoots at Church Street. And visually, it gives us the flexibility to frame shots however we want. The buildings, the street’s layout, and the colours work well together.”
Echoing these sentiments, another independent photographer, Rohit Sherikar, pointed out: “There aren’t many places in Bengaluru where you can get all these without constantly looking over your shoulder for a guard or worrying about permits.”
Church Street’s central location is especially convenient for shoots that involve large teams of around 20 to 30 people, including stylists, lighting crews, makeup artists, and assistants. This is useful when people are working on tight schedules. “Couples and clients usually work full-time, so weekday shoots have to be efficient. Going to far-off locations costs time and money,” Rohit explains.
Photographers TNM spoke to also said that Church Street is an effective alternative in terms of budgeting. A single-day shoot on Church Street can cost anywhere from Rs.5,000 to Rs.20,000. Pre-wedding shoots range from Rs.15,000 to Rs.30,000. “We save a lot when we don’t have to travel or pay for accommodation. It keeps the budget lean,” adds Kartik. “It's much more accessible for us and it's cost-effective for our clients.”
Most teams arrive by 5:30 or 6:00 am to catch the soft morning light. They typically wrap up by 9:00 am, before the street fills with traffic and shop shutters rise. “Here, you don’t have to worry about transport or food for the crew,” said Joushika Karthik, a 23-year-old IT professional who was getting pre-wedding portraits taken with her fiance.
But Church Street isn’t just convenient and pocket-friendly. It also has an aesthetic appeal. Unlike most parts of the city, where cracked pavements and tangled overhead cables are the norm, Church Street is wide and relatively clean, with cobblestoned pavements and well-maintained buildings.
The area underwent a major revamp in 2017 under the TenderSURE initiative. For photographers, this means less clutter in the frame, easier equipment setup, and better visual compositions.
“There’s a certain style to this street,” said John Thomas, an independent photographer who has been shooting across Bengaluru for the last 15 years. “There is a balance here of both the new and the nostalgic.” As John points out, Church Street’s glass-fronted cafes, heritage buildings and bougainvillaea-covered corners offer photographers a wide variety of backdrops within its mere 700-metre stretch.
For Santosh, this juxtaposition of old buildings like Koshy’s or the nearby LIC building on MG Road, right next to new boutique cafes and greenery, “screams Bengaluru”. Such visual variety allows photographers to change moods and themes without having to relocate. This is why Santosh is shooting for his friend’s streetwear brand at Church Street.
This adaptability is what draws fashion photographers, wedding filmmakers, and even social media influencers to the location. One corner can pass off as a cosmopolitan café hub, and another as a relic of old Bengaluru charm. The entire street becomes a versatile, open-air studio, photographers said.
Church Street, in the early mornings, looks entirely different and almost “cinematic”, according to photographers. “This spot is usually ideal for pre-wedding shoots. We come in early, especially on Sundays, because it’s peaceful, well-lit and convenient,” said Rohit. “Most of the time, we’re done before the shops even open.” The golden hour light gives every frame a warm and polished feel, he added.
For many photographers, the early shoot window is not just about aesthetics, it’s also about practicality. With fewer people on the street, there’s less background noise, fewer distractions, and more space to work with. Shoots run smoothly, and setups don't have to be moved repeatedly to avoid pedestrians.
Shooting early in the morning is also a way to avoid trouble. “If it’s crowded, there are more chances of police intervention,” said Santosh. “They often ask for permission documents if the shoot looks commercial. We don’t have proper laws in Bengaluru for photography. You can shoot with your phone, but if you carry a DSLR, authorities question you.” While there are no formal bans on photography on Church Street, early hours help professionals fly under the radar and finish their work before any potential disruption.
Photographers TNM spoke to also claim that Church Street carries “a certain social weightage” in the city’s imagination.
“You post a picture from here, and people instantly know it’s Church Street. It’s trendy, it’s got branding value, and many people identify with that. Couples love these aspects,” says Rohit.
While other iconic locations across Bengaluru have become bureaucratically inaccessible or financially out of reach, Church Street continues to offer photographers accessibility without requiring hefty payments or permission letters.
Despite this, photographers worry that this may not last forever. “We don’t have a union or formal policy around street photography. One viral complaint on social media is all that it could take for things to change,” Santosh pointed out. “Until then, we come early, shoot fast, and make the most of this one spot that still feels like ours,” he added.