1. About you: Tell us about the place, where you were born; your education, and profession.
I am doctor by profession based in Chamba, Himachal and a photographer by passion. Trekking was always a great hobby for me and I do trek some distant places and fell for the picturesque landscapes which I witnessed. Hence are my 1st source of inspiration and I want to freeze them.
2. Your photography experience: Tell us since when you've been taking pictures. When did you start taking photography seriously?
I tried my hands on my dad's film camera between 2008- 2010 along with point and shoot camera, simultaneously. Gradually this hobby turned into passion and it enters in my blood in 2010 when I bought my 1st DSLR. Since then I am weaving the stories through my lens.
3. What are your key areas of photography - travel/street/landscape/
wildlife/wedding/portraits/commercial? What makes you click? What have been your biggest achievements so far? What camera/lenses do you use and why?
Initially I start capturing the pictures in almost every genre of photography weather its landscape, abstract, travel, portrait or street. Gradually I found myself very much interested into travel and storytelling pictures. I always planned my shoot much before it happens, actually. I spend reasonable amount of time researching my subject and place I am going to photograph. Most of the time I planned my trips near major festivals and fair as they do provide great opportunities to photograph people in their traditional attire and they were in great frame of mind to get photographed. Barsana holi, Pushkar fair, Macao Latin parade and Eid are few example of it where you can explore the festivities as well as their tradition.
I won quite a few awards during my journey as a photographer but winning "Colours of Macao" photography contest organized by "Nat Geo Traveller India" & "Macao Tourism" was one of the biggest achievement in my life & I went Macao for photography assignment along with the official Nat Geo photographer & writer.
4. What is so special about your city/country and its life/culture? Has photography changed your outlook/vision about your surroundings?
India is one of the world's oldest civilizations and I love photographing here purely for the verity it offers regards to its culture and religion. I have photographing the Barsana & Nandgaon Holi for last four years because every time it offers different results in term of its culture. Recently I worked on a series "The life of Gujjars" & it took me six months to represent the photo story the way I want to. I spent most of my time in search of who are they, their origin, what language they speak, what are their lives like and their beliefs, to name a few.
5. What are your sources of inspirations? Do you have some favorite photographers? How do you keep yourself motivated? How do you approach people for their pictures?
I love to take pictures and working on a particular assignment / theme are my mode of operation. I choose a theme which interests me and then I went for it whole heartedly. I love the work of Steve Mccurry, Raghu Rai , Alex Koloskov and Nick Brandt.
6. What piece of advice do you wish to give to aspiring/budding photographers, fans, and readers of the post?
Set a goal to yourself. Dream big, aim high and go for it. This is one life and make the best use of it.
.jpg)