Do you remember the moment photography stopped being a hobby and started feeling like something you had to do? What was happening around you then?
Photography started feeling like something I had to do when I realized I didn't just want to take pictures—I wanted to document and tell stories through them. I began exploring different places, festivals, and everyday moments around me, and slowly, photography became a way of seeing and experiencing the world. What started as a hobby gradually turned into something I genuinely wanted to pursue, and that shift felt both natural and inevitable.
Street and travel photography both mean being out among strangers and unfamiliar places. How did you find your footing shooting people and streets you'd only just met?
I think it came down to simply spending more time on the streets. In the beginning, approaching strangers felt a little intimidating, but I slowly learned to observe first and shoot naturally. I also realized that people are more comfortable when you're respectful and genuinely interested in the moment rather than just trying to get a photograph. Traveling helped a lot too—it pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me to adapt to unfamiliar places and situations, which made the whole process feel more intuitive over time.
When you head out with your camera, what are you usually hoping to come home with—a certain kind of light, a face, a small unrepeatable moment?
Honestly, I never head out looking for one specific thing. I just look for moments that feel real—interesting light, a face with a story, or a small moment that might never happen again. I think the best frames are the ones you don't plan for; they come to you when you're open and present, and that spontaneity is what makes them so special.
What's the one frame you'd want someone to see first from your work?
I captured this photo in my hometown, Nashik, during Rangpanchami, which is celebrated around the time of Holi. The way Holi is celebrated here is really different and unique—it's known as Rahad, where the celebration happens during Rangpanchami. It's still quite underrated, and very few people have documented this tradition. Since it's a part of my hometown and its culture, it holds a special place in my heart, which is what made me raise my camera and capture this moment.
Can you share a photo from a trip or a place that has stayed with you, and what made that experience so memorable?
This was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. The place is Pandharpur, and I captured this photo during the Pandharpur Wari. What made this experience so special was witnessing humanity at its purest—people staying grounded, coming together with such unity and devotion, and spreading an incredible amount of positive energy. There was something deeply beautiful about being surrounded by thousands of people who were all walking with the same faith and purpose. This photograph has stayed with me because the Wari wasn't just something I witnessed or photographed; it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I truly felt.
Walk us through a candid street moment where the timing fell perfectly into place—did you see it coming or did it happen all at once?
It honestly felt like the universe aligned everything perfectly for me. I didn't really plan or wait for this moment—everything just came together right in front of my eyes, almost exactly like the image I had imagined in my mind. The moment I saw the frame coming together, I immediately knew I had to capture it. I quickly pulled out my iPhone and took the shot before the moment disappeared. It was one of those rare moments where everything just felt right.
When you photograph strangers on the street, how do you usually approach it—do you ask first, or catch the moment and move on? What feels right to you?
I personally prefer to capture the moment first, because that's when it feels the most raw, natural, and real. A candid moment often shows a person's true personality and the reality of that particular moment. After taking the photo, I usually show them the frame, and most of the time, they genuinely enjoy seeing that candid side of themselves. For me, if I ask before taking the photo, the person can become conscious of the camera and start acting differently, which sometimes takes away from their natural personality. I feel street photography is about preserving real moments, real emotions, and real people as they are.
What's the camera or gear you reach for most, and what do you love about it?
What I love most about my setup is its versatility. My Sony A7 IV is my go-to camera, and these days I'm using a 35mm lens most of the time, especially for street and travel photography. I love how it lets me get close to the moment while still keeping the frame natural and immersive. On a travel day, I usually carry my camera and lens, iPhone, extra batteries, SD cards, and basic accessories. I prefer keeping my setup simple and lightweight so I can focus on being present and ready when a moment unfolds. For me, the gear is just a tool—being there at the right moment is what matters most.
What recent frame are you proud of that not many people have seen yet, and what does it say about where your work is heading?
That day, I challenged myself to shoot the entire day using only a 16mm lens. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and see how creatively I could work with a wider perspective. Surprisingly, the results turned out really well. Lately, I've been experimenting a lot and constantly challenging myself in different situations. I feel these self-imposed challenges push me to look at ordinary moments differently and create something more unique and out of the box. I think that's where my work is heading right now—experimenting, taking risks, and finding new ways to tell stories through my photographs.
Is there a place or a project you are saving up to photograph one day—somewhere you have always wanted to point your camera?
I've travelled to quite a few places across India, but I still feel there's so much more to explore here—different places, cultures, traditions, and stories that are waiting to be documented. At the same time, I really want to start travelling internationally. A lot of my perspective and work so far has been deeply rooted in Indian culture, and I feel it's time to step outside that comfort zone, experience different countries, meet different people, and explore their cultures through my camera. I want to expand my perspective and tell stories beyond what I already know.
When someone stops scrolling on one of your photos, what do you most want them to feel?
I want someone to pause on my photograph and think, "This feels so real." I want them to feel the energy of that moment, connect with the emotions, and see the honesty behind the frame. For me, photography is about capturing something deep, raw, and genuine—a moment that doesn't feel staged, but simply feels like life as it really was.
Contact and Follow
Email: Mohitasrani60@gmail.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/MohitAsrani?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=1a63cd3e-65ef-4208-a8a1-028c57d7bbf5
