Editorial Team at WallMag Updated on Jun 25, 2026 9 min read

A Journey Through Visuals: An Interview with Photographer Hemanth Kumar Patnala

Behind the camera — Hemanth Kumar Patnala at work.

How did your journey in photography begin?

My photography journey started in 2017 with nothing more than a mobile phone and a curiosity to capture the world around me. I used to photograph nature, birds, animals, sunsets, streets, and everyday moments that caught my attention. At that time, I didn't know terms like composition, visual storytelling, or color grading. I simply enjoyed taking pictures and spending hours editing them in PicsArt and Snapseed. Looking back, those simple edits and experiments were my first lessons in photography.

A major turning point came when I visited Varanasi with my family for the first time. Until then, I was taking photographs, but Varanasi taught me how to see. The narrow streets, the ghats, the people, the rituals, and the spiritual atmosphere completely changed my perspective. I found myself observing details that I had never noticed before. I constantly asked my parents about the places we visited, the traditions, and the stories behind them. Their explanations helped me understand the culture beyond what I could see through my camera.

When I returned to Varanasi for a second time, I was determined to experience it differently. I carried a new mobile phone, extra memory cards, and a simple setup. After completing the family trip, I requested my mother to let me stay back for a few more days. Those few days changed my life. I walked through the streets alone, photographed life along the ghats, documented the Ganga Aarti, observed pilgrims and local communities, and later visited Bodh Gaya. For the first time, I felt that photography was more than taking pictures—it was about preserving stories.

As life moved forward, responsibilities became my priority. I joined the IT industry because my family depended on me. At that time, my younger brother was still studying, and as the only salaried person in the family, I focused on supporting my parents and helping with household responsibilities. Photography remained my passion, but I couldn't afford to invest in cameras, lenses, or professional equipment.

One of the greatest blessings in my journey has been meeting my guru, Mr. Shiva Kocherla. He saw potential in me when I was still trying to find my direction. More than a mentor, he became a guide who gave me confidence and opportunities. One important lesson I learned from him was that photography is built on patience, trust, and continuous learning. In most cases, photographers spend a long time assisting behind the scenes before they are given the responsibility of shooting an event. But by God's grace, my journey was different. Shiva brother placed a camera in my hands from the very beginning and trusted me with an opportunity that many people wait years to receive. That trust became a turning point in my life and motivated me to work harder to prove myself worthy of it. My first professional assignment was a wedding. I still remember him handing me a camera and explaining the Exposure Triangle—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Instead of teaching me in a classroom, he threw me into a real event.

The first ten minutes were terrifying. I struggled to adjust settings and understand the camera while trying to capture important moments. But slowly, I adapted. By the end of the event, I had completed my first wedding as a candid photographer. That day changed everything.

Alongside Shiva, I had the privilege of learning from Aneel, Raj, and Ram. They welcomed me like a younger brother and shared their knowledge generously. From them, I learned lighting techniques, flash usage, diffusers, event workflow, posing, framing, storytelling, client interaction, and many of the practical skills that cannot be learned from YouTube tutorials alone.

Over the next one and a half years, I photographed more than 90 weddings with the team. Every event taught me something new. Every client, every family, and every celebration became part of my learning journey. My company, Algoleap Technologies, trusted me with an opportunity to cover a major corporate event. At that time, I did not have my own photography setup, so I partnered with my brother through Photography Shiva Clickz to execute the assignment. The trust my company placed in me meant a lot, and successfully delivering the event gave me the confidence to explore photography beyond weddings.

Today, I have photographed more than 170 events, including weddings, engagements, pre-wedding sessions, maternity shoots, birthdays, naming ceremonies, housewarming ceremonies, cultural events, classical dance performances, corporate events, and traditional celebrations. Each event has helped me grow not only as a photographer but also as a storyteller.

The love of my life, Sonia, played an important role in helping me believe in myself. She encouraged me to create my own identity and build something that reflected my vision. Her support gave me the courage to start my own brand.

With the blessings of my parents, Rambabu and Bhavani, the encouragement of my brother Sumanth, the support of my sisters and brothers-in-law and my friends, standing beside me, I officially launched "Chitrayan By Hemanth" on August 24, 2025.

The name Chitrayan means "A Journey Through Visuals." It reflects the belief that photographs are not created; they are discovered in real moments—in laughter, silence, movement, emotion, and human connection.

My first independent assignment was a cricket-themed music video for my neighbors. Soon after came a birthday event, a maternity shoot, and several housewarming ceremonies. One thing I was very particular about was maintaining professional ethics. Although I had worked on many events under other photographers, I never used their client photographs to build my own portfolio. I believed that client trust and privacy were more important than quick recognition. Even without a large personal portfolio, people trusted me and gave me opportunities.

Over time, I expanded into commercial and cultural photography. I worked with Ravera Diamonds, photographing jewellery collections and learning the importance of precision, reflections, lighting control, and product presentation. I also collaborated with ShivaSahasra Academy to document Bharatanatyam performances. Capturing classical dance introduced me to a different form of storytelling where every expression, gesture, and movement carries meaning.

More recently, I documented a cultural tradition in which male performers transform themselves into goddess forms before a sacred performance. What interested me was not just the final appearance but the unseen moments behind it—the preparation, friendship, patience, devotion, and craftsmanship involved in the process. Through this documentary series, I wanted to preserve a tradition and reveal the human stories hidden behind it.

Photography has given me much more than a profession. It has introduced me to people, cultures, traditions, and experiences that have shaped who I am today. From taking pictures on a mobile phone in 2017 to building my own photography brand, every step of this journey has been made possible by the support of my family, mentors, friends, and the people who trusted me with their stories.

This is my journey so far, and I believe the most meaningful photographs are still waiting to be captured.

What was the first moment you knew you wanted to pursue documentary and cultural photography?

The first time I visited Varanasi, something changed in the way I saw the world. I was no longer interested in just capturing beautiful pictures. I became fascinated by the people, their stories, traditions, and everyday moments. Standing on the ghats and watching life unfold around me made me realize that I wanted to document real human experiences and cultural heritage. That trip was the beginning of my journey into documentary and cultural photography.

How has your photographic style evolved over the years?

My photographic style has evolved along with my life experiences. In the beginning, I was focused on capturing anything that looked beautiful—nature, birds, animals, sunsets, and everyday scenes around me. I was excited by colors, editing, and creating visually appealing images.

Everything changed when I started travelling and observing people more closely, especially during my visits to Varanasi. I began to realize that the most meaningful photographs were not always the most visually perfect ones. They were the images that carried emotions, stories, and human connections.

As I entered professional photography and started covering weddings, cultural events, and traditions, I learned to be more patient and observant. Instead of directing moments, I started waiting for them. Today, my photography is less about creating images and more about preserving genuine emotions, culture, and real-life stories. I still love beautiful light and composition, but what matters most to me now is capturing moments that make people feel something when they look at a photograph.

What daily practices or habits help you stay creative?

I stay creative by constantly learning and practicing. I regularly watch photography and editing tutorials online, and whenever I learn something new, I try it out with my camera. I also find inspiration in everyday life—observing people, traveling, and experiencing different cultures. For me, curiosity and continuous learning are what keep my creativity alive.

What photo best represents your documentary and cultural photography style, and what story does it tell?

These photographs document a Bharatanatyam dancer's journey from preparation to performance. The story focuses on dedication, expression, and the connection between the artist and the art form. Through each pose and emotion, the series reflects the beauty of Indian classical dance and the years of practice, discipline, and cultural tradition that shape every performance.

What does a portrait you've taken reveal about the subject or the moment?

These portraits reveal the people behind cultural traditions and performances. Whether it is a performer transforming into a divine character or a young dancer preparing to represent a classical art form, both images focus on identity, dedication, and emotion. Through their expressions, I wanted to show the human stories that exist behind culture, tradition, and performance.

Describe the context of a street scene you captured and what drew you to it.

This photograph was taken during the Ganesh Visarjan (Ganapathi immersion) celebration on the banks of the Krishna River. What drew me to this scene was the emotion shared by the family as they prepared to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha. Amid the festivities, I noticed a quiet and genuine moment of togetherness, devotion, and tradition. The offerings floating on the water and the interaction between family members reflected the deep cultural significance of the ritual. I wanted to capture not just the event itself, but the human connection, faith, and emotions that make such traditions meaningful.

What makes a particular wedding or cultural event moment special to you and the people involved?

This moment is special to me because it represents the cultural traditions that I love documenting. Behind every costume, expression, and performance are people who spend countless hours preparing to keep these traditions alive. For the community, it is a celebration of faith, identity, and heritage. As a photographer, I felt privileged to witness and preserve a moment that reflects both the beauty of the performance and the dedication of the people behind it.

Summarize the story or theme connecting a series of images you've taken.

This series explores the transformation of performers preparing for the traditional Bethal ritual. Through intimate moments of makeup, preparation, and reflection, the photographs reveal the devotion, craftsmanship, and cultural significance behind the performance, preserving a tradition passed down through generations.

Why is a particular piece of gear or technique important to your work?

My Sony camera setup is central to my work because it enables me to capture genuine moments with precision and consistency across different genres of photography. Whether documenting cultural traditions, weddings, portraits, or wildlife, this gear helps me transform fleeting moments into lasting visual stories.

What editing choices did you make to enhance an original image?

I enhanced the image through careful exposure balancing, color grading, and contrast adjustments to create a more cinematic mood. Subtle sharpening and tonal refinements helped emphasize the subject while preserving the natural atmosphere and authenticity of the scene.