Tell us something about yourself

Indian by birth, Computer Engineer by Education, IT consultant by Profession and a Photographer at heart. I’m a portrait and fashion photographer, currently based in Stockholm, Sweden. I am self taught and pretty early on found out that Portraits and Fashion were the genres of photography that really spoke to me.

 

How and when did you get into photography?

As a kid I loved taking pictures. The very thought of capturing something I could see with my eye onto a piece of paper was an amazing process for me. It was like freezing a moment in time I was living in. From childhood I've been a very creative person, I was pretty good at arts - I've painted with oil on canvas and water colour on paper. My dad gave me a Nikon point & shoot film camera when I was 12 years of age. I used to take pictures of anything I would find interesting, be it plants in our garden, staircases or any interesting patterns and then I would wait for the roll of 36 to get developed at the studio before I could see them. But the time when I really got hooked to photography was when I was 21 and I came across a friend who had bought a 2 Megapixel Sony digital camera. The very thought of taking a picture and instantly being able to see it on the back of the camera and then on a computer was amazing! That's when I started saving money for buying a DSLR and I think it was in 2004 when i got my first DSLR - the Nikon D70. I haven't looked back since then. I have spent endless hours studying about the subject online and everything I have learnt thus far on camera, lighting, re-touching etc. is all through researching various photographer websites, looking at EXIF information on photographs, reading blogs, looking at BTS videos, following tags on instagram etc.

 

What does photography mean to you?

It’s a form of self expression and a creative outlet for me. After a busy week, I really look forward to using photography to turn off the other side of me and turn on the creative side of me. Its an amazing stress buster. Whats more it helps me meet and interact with a lot of new people regularly. I’ve made some amazing connects and friends through photography.

 

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I mainly shoot Portraits and Fashion. When I started out, I used to shoot a lot of natural light at first. Now I use a mix of strobes and ambient light and I’ve shot in the studio as well. It all depends on the look I’m going for. If its artistic, needs an atmosphere to it, I would prefer to shoot outside, on location. If its fashion, beauty etc. then I prefer to shoot in studio. If someone were to ask me what was the style that inspired me the most then I would say environmental portraits. I love to be able to portray the real inner self of the person I am shooting.

 

Where do you get inspiration from?

• There are a lot of great photographers whose work has inspired me. However the ones that have a heavy influence on my work are:

  • Annie Leibovitz

  • Joey L

  • Jason Bell

  • Mario Testino

 

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

Yes it is really important for me to have the portrait in my head even before I start shooting. I will form the concepts in my mind. I will also discuss the looks with the model, the MUA, the stylists etc. We will go through the wardrobe, the makeup and the location, the lighting etc. in detail before we get to the actual shoot. An unplanned shoot is not very effective.

 

Studio, on location or both?

I shoot wherever the concept demands. I have a full mobile kit and can shoot anywhere I like to.

 

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I will consider myself a serious hobbyist. Although I have worked for various magazine editorials and have also been paid for commercial assignments.

 

What has been your most memorable session and why?

Indian by birth, Computer Engineer by Education, IT consultant by Profession and a Photographer at heart. I’m a portrait and fashion photographer, currently based in Stockholm, Sweden. I am self taught and pretty early on found out that Portraits and Fashion were the genres of photography that really spoke to me.

 

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