How did your journey in travel photography begin?
My journey into travel photography began during my 10th board exams. In the middle of preparing for exams, I watched Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, and something about Bunny's character stayed with me. Growing up in a small town in Madhya Pradesh as a Hindi-medium school student, his life felt completely different from anything I had known. He was curious, fearless, and always chasing new experiences. I remember deciding that very day that I wanted to live a life like his. My name is Ayush, but the impact of that film was so strong that I eventually started calling myself Bunny. It wasn't just a nickname; it became a reminder of the life I wanted to build for myself. The dream wasn't easy to pursue. My parents are teachers, and while they always gave me the freedom to choose my own path, travel photography wasn't really considered a career option back then. The idea of travelling solo with a camera sounded uncertain to almost everyone around me. It took nearly a year and a half to convince my parents to let me take my first solo trip. What made it even more challenging was that I am naturally an introvert. Talking to strangers, asking for help, or putting myself in unfamiliar situations didn't come easily to me. But travel has a way of changing you. At 16, I finally set out on my first solo journey, and that experience changed everything. Every trip pushed me a little further beyond my comfort zone and taught me confidence, independence, and adaptability. What started as inspiration from a movie became a lifelong pursuit. Today, after travelling across India and working with travel brands, hostels, and tourism companies, I still carry the same curiosity that inspired me years ago. The difference is that now I'm not trying to live Bunny's story; I'm creating my own.
What was the first place you photographed that made you fall in love with travel photography?
Mussoorie was the place that changed everything for me. As a teenager from a small town, standing among the mountains felt like stepping into a completely different world. I wasn't carrying expensive gear or following a plan; I was simply curious. Through my camera, I began noticing details I would have otherwise missed: the morning light, the winding roads, the local people, and the feeling of freedom that comes with being on your own. That's when I realised photography wasn't just about taking pictures; it was about preserving how a place made me feel.
How has your experience and style grown over the years?
Over the years, my experience and style have grown alongside my love for travel. I enjoy being on the road with a camera in my hand, whether it's in the mountains, on a quiet beach, or in the middle of a desert. Every landscape offers a different feeling, and I am constantly inspired by the diversity of places and people I encounter. In the beginning, I was focused on capturing beautiful scenes. As I traveled more, I became interested in capturing the emotions, stories, and experiences behind those places. My style has evolved from simply documenting destinations to creating images that help people feel connected to them. Travel has taught me to be more observant, patient, and curious, and those qualities continue to shape the way I photograph the world today.
What travel photography gear do you currently use and why did you choose it?
I currently use a Sony A7III as my primary camera for travel photography and an iPhone 15 for capturing moments on the go. I chose the Sony A7III because of its reliability, excellent image quality, and versatility across different environments, whether I'm shooting in the mountains, on a beach, or in a desert. As someone who spends a lot of time travelling, I need gear that can adapt to changing conditions and still deliver consistent results. The iPhone 15 has become an important part of my workflow as well. Its portability allows me to capture spontaneous moments when carrying a camera isn't practical. Together, these tools help me focus less on equipment and more on what matters most: telling stories through the places, people, and experiences I encounter on the road.
What photo best captures the essence of your travel photography style?
This collection reflects the diversity of experiences that travel photography has given me over the years. From peaceful sunrises and star-filled mountain nights to portraits of people and everyday life on the road, each image represents a different story and emotion. Rather than focusing on a single genre, I enjoy capturing the essence of a place through its landscapes, culture, and human connections. What ties these photographs together is my curiosity as a traveler. Whether I am documenting a quiet moment in the mountains, a conversation between strangers, or the atmosphere of a new destination, my goal is always the same: to create images that make people feel connected to the experience and the story behind it.
What makes your favorite travel destination so special to you?
Mussoorie is special to me because it feels like the place where my journey truly began. As someone who grew up in a small town in Madhya Pradesh, the mountains opened up a completely new world for me. Over the years, I have visited Mussoorie countless times, and every trip has taught me something new about travel, photography, and myself. What I love most is that no two visits feel the same. The changing weather, the quiet mornings, the mountain roads, and the stories of the people who live there constantly inspire me. Mussoorie is more than just a destination in my portfolio; it is a place that shaped my passion for travel photography and continues to feel like a second home.
What unique cultural or local moment have you captured, and what's the story behind it?
These photographs were taken while spending time with local communities and observing their daily lives. What drew me to this moment was not a staged event, but the authenticity of it. Families caring for their camels, people preparing meals over open fires, children playing freely, and conversations unfolding against the backdrop of traditions that have been passed down through generations. As a travel photographer, I am fascinated by the stories that exist beyond popular tourist attractions. This series captures a way of life that remains deeply connected to community, heritage, and the natural environment. For me, these images are a reminder that culture is not only found in festivals and celebrations, but also in the everyday moments that shape people's lives.
Can you walk us through your editing process with a before-and-after example?
For this edit, I focused on enhancing the mood and atmosphere of the scene while keeping it natural. I adjusted the exposure and contrast to bring more depth to the image, recovered highlights in the sky, and lifted selected shadow areas to retain detail. I also refined the color grading by enhancing the blue and purple tones of the twilight sky, while maintaining a balanced look across the frame. Additionally, I made local adjustments to improve the visibility of the bridge and reflections, reduced distractions, and applied subtle sharpening to create a cleaner and more polished final image. The goal was not to dramatically alter the photograph, but to better convey the calm and cinematic feeling I experienced while capturing it.
How did you overcome challenging conditions to get that shot?
It was around -5°C when I took this photo. The trek itself was challenging, and carrying my camera gear didn't make it any easier. I remember standing near the edge of the trail to get the composition I wanted. After waiting for the right moment, a few trekkers entered the frame, and I got the shot I had imagined.
What does this behind-the-scenes clip reveal about your workflow?
This behind-the-scenes clip reflects the way I travel and work. Most of my photography happens while I'm exploring new places, often with a backpack, a camera, and no fixed plan. I like to walk, observe, interact with locals, and spend time understanding a place before taking out my camera. Instead of chasing perfect shots, I focus on experiencing the destination and letting moments happen naturally. For me, travel photography is not just about the final image; it's about the journey, the people I meet, and the stories I discover along the way.
Tell us about a memorable interaction with locals during your travels.
I took this photo during the Har Ki Dun trek when I came across a mother and her son in a small mountain village. The mother was busy cooking on a traditional wood-fired stove while her son sat nearby watching her. It was a simple everyday moment, but it stayed with me because it showed the hard work and resilience of people living in the mountains. Encounters like these remind me that travel is not just about landscapes, but also about the people and stories you find along the way.
Contact and Follow
Email: ayush.bunny0@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travel.with.bunny/
