You describe yourself as a software professional and a nature & wildlife photographer in the same breath — how did the camera find its way into your life alongside your tech career?
My journey with photography grew alongside my professional journey. After completing my B.E. and M.Tech, I built my career in the software industry, where I work in client engagement. Outside my professional life, I have always been drawn to creative pursuits. I am also a Western dancer, which has taught me to appreciate movement, rhythm, and expression.
My fascination with nature and wildlife gradually brought me to photography, which became a serious passion. What started as an interest grew into a way of capturing natural moments, light, wildlife, and the beauty that often goes unnoticed.
Today, technology is my profession, while photography is my major hobby and passion, giving me a different way to observe, experience, and express the world around me.
Take us back to the very first time nature made you stop and reach for your camera. What were you looking at, and what did it stir in you?
The first time nature truly made me reach for my camera was during a quiet moment outdoors, when I noticed how beautifully light, colors, and natural surroundings came together. It was a simple scene, but it made me pause and look at nature differently. I wanted to preserve that moment, and when I saw the photograph on my camera, I realized how powerful photography could be in capturing emotions that words sometimes cannot express. That moment sparked my deeper passion for nature photography.
Has anyone — a fellow photographer, a friend, a birding companion, or even a favourite creator you follow — shaped the way you see and shoot nature? Tell us about them.
Yes, definitely. Rathika Ramasamy and Sudhir Sivaram have been strong inspirations for me, particularly in the way they observe wildlife and capture natural behaviour with patience and purpose. Internationally, I also admire Marsel van Oosten and Ami Vitale for their distinctive visual storytelling and ability to create a deeper connection between the viewer and the natural world.
Their work has taught me that nature photography is not just about getting a technically good photograph. It is about patience, timing, understanding the subject, and capturing a genuine moment. Their approach has encouraged me to slow down, observe more carefully, and develop my own way of telling stories through nature and wildlife photography.
When you head out to shoot, what pulls you most — the patience of waiting for a bird, the stillness of a landscape, or something else entirely?
What pulls me most is the unpredictability of nature and the patience it demands. I enjoy waiting for a bird to reveal a natural behaviour, a perfect moment of light, or a fleeting interaction that may last only a few seconds. Sometimes it is the stillness of a landscape; other times, it is the anticipation of what might happen next.
For me, the real excitement is not just taking the photograph, but being present in that moment and capturing something that may never happen the same way again.
What's the story behind this frame — where were you, and what made this shot special enough to be your signature?
Rather than one single frame, these five photographs together represent my journey and the way I see nature through my camera. From flowers and butterflies to birds, wildlife, and the beauty of a sunset over the sea, each frame captures a different moment that made me pause and observe. What connects them all is my fascination with the details, colours, behaviour, and emotions found in nature. I don’t simply look for a photograph; I look for a moment that feels worth preserving. Together, these frames reflect my passion for discovering and documenting the beauty of the natural world.
Bird photography rewards patience — how long did you wait for this one, and what's the trick you've learned to getting close to birds without spooking them?
Bird photography has taught me that patience matters more than rushing for the perfect frame. I usually spend time quietly observing the birds and their behaviour before even raising the camera. The biggest trick I’ve learned is to move slowly, keep a comfortable distance, avoid sudden movements, and let the bird get accustomed to my presence. Once the bird feels undisturbed, natural moments begin to happen. For me, the best photographs come from observing first and shooting second.
Where is this, and what is it about this place that keeps calling you back with your camera?
One place that keeps calling me back with my camera is Mandaragiri Guru Mandir near Tumakuru, Karnataka. The moment I saw its striking peacock-feather-inspired architecture, I was drawn to its colours, patterns, symmetry, and the way it stands against the open sky. Every visit gives me a different perspective depending on the light, clouds, and surroundings. For me, it is more than just a beautiful place to photograph; it is a reminder of how art, architecture, and nature can come together to create something truly captivating.
Walk us through your kit — what's your go-to setup for birds versus landscapes, and is there one piece of gear you can't shoot without?
My kit is fairly versatile, and I choose my setup depending on what I am shooting. For birds and wildlife, I rely on my Nikon DSLR with a telephoto lens, which gives me the reach to capture natural behaviour while maintaining a respectful distance. For landscapes and nature scenes, I use a wider lens, while my 50mm f/1.8 prime lens is one of my favourites for portraits, details, and creative compositions. I also use a drone to explore landscapes from a different perspective and capture a sense of scale that isn’t possible from the ground. For travel and everyday visual storytelling, I carry my DJI Osmo Pocket 3, which is compact and allows me to capture smooth, spontaneous videos without carrying a large setup.
If I had to choose one essential piece of gear, it would still be my telephoto lens, especially for wildlife photography. But each piece of equipment has its own role, and I enjoy switching between them depending on the story I want to capture.
What was happening the moment you pressed the shutter here, and what makes it a keeper for you?
These two frames are special to me for very different reasons. The first is a portrait of my daughter, captured in a quiet, natural moment when her innocent expression caught my attention. I wanted to preserve that genuine smile rather than create a posed photograph, making it a precious memory of her childhood.
The second captures an iguana resting naturally on a branch. I was drawn to its striking colours, textures, and distinctive features, and waited for the right moment to frame it against the surroundings. It became a keeper because it reminded me that nature is full of fascinating subjects when we slow down and observe them closely. Together, these photographs represent two sides of what photography means to me: preserving personal memories and discovering the beauty of the natural world.
For someone visiting this spot with a camera, what's your tip on the best light or time of day to capture it the way you did?
For Mysore Palace, I would recommend visiting in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light is softer and more flattering. For this photograph, the slightly cloudy sky worked beautifully because it created soft, even light across the palace and brought out the details, colours, and red domes without harsh shadows. I would also suggest taking a little time to find a clean, balanced viewpoint that captures the palace along with the surrounding gardens. The combination of soft light, dramatic clouds, and the palace’s intricate architecture is what made this frame stand out for me.
Balancing a demanding tech career with your love for photography isn't easy — what does picking up the camera give you that nothing else does?
Picking up the camera gives me something my professional life cannot: the freedom to slow down, observe, and simply be present. My work in technology and client engagement keeps me focused on people, business, and constant deadlines, while photography takes me outdoors and reconnects me with nature.
When I look through the viewfinder, I stop thinking about everything else and focus on one moment, one subject, and one frame. It gives me a sense of calm, creativity, and discovery. For me, photography is not just a hobby; it is my way of stepping away from the routine and seeing the world with a fresh perspective.
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Email: vnaresh7799@gmail.com
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