How did your journey in photography begin?
It started as a hobby during my first year of college when I got my first camera. I began by capturing birds on campus, then explored various niches like events, street, portraits, and more. As I learned more about operating the camera, I traveled, shared my work on social media, and eventually landed my first commission for a documentation project. Since then, I've been freelancing in fashion, portraits, and travel photography, always exploring new things.
What was the first travel or portrait photo that made you feel truly proud?
It was a photo of the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi. The pandits, with their diyas aligned perfectly in the frame, created a beautiful contrast between the warm colors and the darker shades of the night. That frame really resonated with me.
How has your photography style evolved over the years?
When I started, I focused solely on centering subjects without much thought to composition—like those zoomed-in bird shots. Over time, I learned composition techniques, street photography, long exposures, and recently, multiple exposures. Now, I aim to create visual stories in my photos, letting each image convey what I want people to see or interpret in their own way. I'm eager to experiment with more creative styles, like fashion shoots.
What motivates you to capture travel and portrait moments?
Travel photography lets me explore unseen landscapes, meet new people, and discover unique frames while getting to know a place. Portraits, on the other hand, initially made me uncomfortable, but overcoming that fear has been incredibly rewarding. Now, portrait photography is one of my favorite genres.
Tell us about a travel photo that truly represents your work.
This is a photograph of the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi. The pandits, with their diyas aligned perfectly in the frame, create a striking contrast between the warm colors and the darker shades of the night. It's one of my best shots from my travel series in Varanasi.
What's the story behind your favorite portrait photo?
This portrait was taken in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, during a photowalk. We met a person who asked about our cameras, and we asked if we could take his portrait. He posed with his beedi, and the smoke added an interesting element. I captured it in monochrome on the spot.
What gear do you use and why do you prefer it?
I use a Canon R8 as my primary camera with several lenses: a 50mm for portraits, travel, and landscapes; an 18-55mm for streets and scapes; and a 55-250mm for wildlife and travel. I started with a DSLR and upgraded to mirrorless for its advanced photo and video capabilities. I often pair the camera with the 50mm prime lens for its compactness.
What is the story behind a location or landscape that inspires you?
This is a frame from the Qutub Minar complex, shot during sunset. I found a small entry door on a corner, and the minar fit perfectly within the door frame, creating one of my best-framed travel shots.
Describe the editing process for a before-and-after edit of one of your photos.
I edited a close-up photo of a street artist in Chandni Chowk who walked on ropes and had bruises on her feet. During editing, I focused on bringing out the textures of her feet by increasing texture and clarity, and color graded the image to give it a deeper look, emphasizing the greys and blacks.
What makes a candid moment while traveling special to you?
This is from my recent trip to Mussoorie. While riding back from Kempty Falls, I saw a village on the foothills of the mountains, standing out as a unique subject against the landscape. The colors embedded in the green lush mountains looked really cool.
Tell us about your creative process.
To me, photography starts before I even press the shutter. I enjoy sitting in one spot and watching what's going on—how the light hits it, the textures, the colors, and the little things which most people don't notice. Those details can make the best part of a portrait, as they show the character of a place or a moment. My work is about visual storytelling as a cohesive story rather than single frames, invariably with a narrative arc. I love making beautiful images but I also love to capture feelings, culture, architecture and everyday life in an honest and engaging manner. I enjoy playing with in-camera processes as well as some creative edits, but only when they add to the story, not detract from it.
Tell us about a memorable shoot.
Some of my most significant work was for Harwaste, documenting the rice and wheat harvest. This was not a one-day assignment but a photographic documentation that lasted almost two months, following it all the way from the standing crop to the harvest. I came back to the field many times to build relationships with the farmers and familiarize myself with the working schedule, which made for far more personal images than otherwise. It taught me a real lesson in documentary photography: not to rush for the “perfect frame,” but to be patient, consistent, and to trust the people whose stories you're telling. It remains one of the projects that most shaped how I approach long-form visual storytelling.
What's next for you?
I'm looking forward to more learning as I continue to pursue photography across various genres, while keeping my focus on storytelling. In the coming years I would like to keep developing my travel photography and add long-form photo-documentation projects that record the culture, geography, and daily life of different places. Meanwhile, I'm eager to take on more interesting photoshoots that incorporate film ideas and compelling visual storytelling. When I photograph people, places and ideas, I want people to see my work, take away a lasting impression, and find the stories I see in the details.
