What moment or experience first sparked your passion for travel and street photography?
I've never been someone who talks a lot. Carrying a camera became my way of expressing myself. The more I traveled, the more I found myself drawn to the small moments and stories around me. What started as taking photos slowly became my way of capturing the world as I see it. Somehow, I always ended up pointing my camera at people instead of places. A smile, someone waiting for a bus, kids playing on the street, an old man sipping chai—those moments felt more real to me than any famous landmark. They reminded me that every place has its own story, and I just wanted to capture a small part of it before it was gone.
When was the first time you felt your photography truly connected with an audience?
I'm still finding my audience, so I don't think there has been one defining moment yet. Right now, I'm just trying to stay authentic to my craft and create work that genuinely feels like me. But whenever someone tells me that one of my photos inspired them to pick up a camera, travel somewhere new, or start creating, it means a lot. Even if it connects with just one person, that feels special. Knowing that something I made could push someone to begin their own journey is what keeps me going.
How has your perspective on capturing travel and street scenes evolved over the years?
When I first started, I was focused on getting a good photo. Now, I'm more interested in capturing a feeling or telling a story. I've learned that it's not always about the perfect composition—sometimes it's the small, candid moments that say the most about a place and the people in it.
What is the most important lesson you've learned from your journey as a travel filmmaker?
I think the biggest lesson I've learned is to keep creating and stay true to yourself. It's easy to get caught up in views, likes, and numbers, but constantly chasing them can make you forget why you started. There will be low moments, and this journey takes time. I'm still not where I want to be, but I've learned to trust the process and make work that genuinely feels like me. As long as I'm creating with honesty and enjoying the journey, I know I'm moving in the right direction.
Which photo best represents your travel photography style, and what's the story behind it?
These photos come from two places that are very different but equally memorable to me—Ladakh and the fishing harbour in my hometown, Visakhapatnam. In Ladakh—where I had the opportunity to collaborate with Ladakh Tourism—I wasn't just chasing landscapes. I found myself drawn to the people, the culture, and the quiet moments that made the place feel alive. Every frame reminded me to slow down and simply observe. The fishing harbour, on the other hand, is somewhere I've visited many times. Even though it's familiar, every morning feels different. The light, the fishermen returning with their catch, the conversations, and the energy of the harbour make every visit unique. It reminded me that you don't always have to travel far to find meaningful stories—sometimes they're waiting right where you grew up. Together, these photographs reflect the way I see travel and street photography: not just as a way to capture beautiful places, but as a way to preserve the people and moments that give those places their soul.
What was the mood or message you wanted to convey in the short video clip you shared?
The clip was my attempt to capture the feeling of being there rather than just showing the festival. I wanted people to experience the energy, the colors, the music, and the deep cultural roots of the Hemis Festival for a few seconds. More than anything, I wanted it to spark curiosity and make someone feel like they were standing in the crowd, witnessing the celebration firsthand.
Walk us through your editing process for the street photography shot you shared.
For this image, I wanted to create a more cinematic and timeless feel. I lowered the overall exposure, increased contrast, and desaturated most of the colors to draw attention to the subject and the mood of the scene. I also added deeper shadows and a subtle vignette to guide the viewer's eye down the alley toward the person walking through the frame. The goal was to emphasize the atmosphere and storytelling rather than the colors themselves.
What makes your favorite travel destination or street scene so special to you?
What made that moment special wasn't just the location—it was how it made me feel. I was sitting alone by Pangong Lake when two stray dogs quietly came and sat beside me. We didn't have anywhere to be, and for a while, it was just the three of us, surrounded by silence and the mountains. It's one of those moments that can't really be planned or recreated. It reminded me that sometimes the best parts of traveling are the ones you never expect. That's the memory I took back with me more than the photograph itself.
What gear or setup is visible in your behind-the-scenes photo?
Sony a7iv + Sigma 28-70 F2.8
What was the interaction like with the subject of your candid street portrait?
I noticed him standing quietly at the fishing harbour and asked if I could take his portrait. He simply smiled and nodded. There wasn't much conversation, but there didn't need to be. As he lit his cigarette and looked away for a moment, I captured this frame. It's one of those portraits that reminds me how a genuine expression can tell a story without a single word.
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