What sparked your passion for travel photography and cinematography?
Growing up, I used to watch a lot of travel documentaries and films from around the world, and I always knew that was what I wanted to do as well. Traveling to different places always felt like a shift in the narrative we're so used to being surrounded by. Capturing it on camera immortalizes the moment you step out of your comfort zone and quietly observe someone else's world. It's that sense of discovery and the urge to document the unfamiliar that has driven me from the very beginning.
Can you recall the first trip that made you realize you wanted to capture moments through your lens?
I think the first trip that truly sparked this realization was a childhood overnight trip to Mt. Fuji in Japan. It was the first time I held a camera in my hands and actually got to use it. What called out to me wasn't just the iconic mountain, but rather the sense of peace found in the loneliness of the landscape. That quiet, introspective moment made me understand the power of capturing a feeling rather than just a view.
How has your experience and style evolved over the years?
Looking back, my style has evolved quite a bit. I started out with a lot of typical centre-framed close-ups, which are great for detail, but now I find myself drawn to wide shots that draw the viewer's attention inward. It's about creating a sense of scale and immersion, letting the environment tell as much of the story as the subject. The evolution has been about learning to trust the space around my subjects.
What motivates you to explore new destinations and share them with your audience?
I think it's all about the possibility of a world beyond what we already know. I firmly believe there's always more to discover, more to see, and more to understand. That applies to travel and exploration as much as it does to life itself. Sharing these glimpses isn't just about showing pretty places; it's about inviting others to expand their own sense of what exists out there.
Tell us about your favorite travel photograph and the story behind it.
That photo was taken while walking through the streets of Pettah in Sri Lanka. My companion and I were two women in films wearing rugged outdoor clothes, and the women in the frame were likely college students or teachers passing us by. We didn't speak or interact directly, but we shared a moment of eye contact and a palpable sense of pride in being ambitious women with places to be. If that's not what a sense of community feels like, I don't know what is. It was a quiet, powerful recognition.
What makes a specific location from your travels stand out to you, and what was it like capturing it on video?
That video is from a farmland in Shizuoka, Japan. What makes it special isn't just the clear water in an open canal or the clear blue skies; it was seeing people follow traffic rules in absolute solitude. They would stop to give way for traffic even in the complete absence of other people watching. It was a profound reminder that discipline and respect are internal values, not just public performances.
Walk us through a behind-the-scenes moment and the setup you used for a specific shot.
For that shot, I was using just my Fujifilm XM5 with a 35mm f2.0 lens. It's a simple, lightweight setup that allows me to stay nimble and capture moments as they unfold without drawing too much attention. The key is being ready for the unexpected, and this setup gives me the flexibility to do just that.
Is there a destination you dream of visiting and capturing, and why does it appeal to you creatively?
The image is from the glaciers of Antarctica. What stands out to me is the way the light gets sculpted through the ice, interacting with all the raw elements of nature. It's a photographer's dream where the environment itself becomes the artist, and I just want to be there to witness and record that collaboration.
What's a challenge you faced during travel photography, and what did you learn from that experience?
Unruly content creators are everywhere now. You have to keep a straight face and be incredibly patient for your shot, otherwise they treat you like paparazzi instead of simply moving out of the way. I learned that patience is not just a virtue but a strategy. Maintaining your composure while the chaos unfolds around you is the only way to come away with the image you envisioned.
How do you creatively use lighting or composition in your work? Give us an example of a technique you used.
We shot this in a parking garage, with lights spilling from machinery nearby. I wasn't quite happy with the look since we didn't have any actual lights to help the process creatively. Just when I was about to give up on it, a nearby car's brake light lit up, giving us the perfect contrast of opposing colours to sculpt the look. Sometimes creativity is truly not about the gear; it's about being open to happy accidents and seeing the potential in what's already there.
What emotion or message did you want to convey in a favorite candid moment you captured while traveling?
I felt that the perception of freedom, even from the inside looking out, gives a message of hope. It's about capturing that feeling of anticipation and the promise of what lies beyond the frame. Even in a confined space, the view can be expansive, and that contradiction is what I wanted to highlight.
Contact and Follow
Email: Jayshootsfilms@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JayatiChandra
