Making A Fashion Statement

The Masters of the craft share their insights and photographs.

- Sameer Belvalkar

⚫ As a self-taught photographer, what challenges did you face in establishing yourself in this industry?

The challenges I faced in this industry have been numerous. There is heavy lobbying in this field and having a mentor or a big brother always gets you a long way. I didn’t have that luxury. Learning the basic functions and potential of the camera was comparatively easier. The main challenge was getting the work. I realised that just being an artist and getting a technically correct photograph wasn’t enough, and I had to look at the business of photography which takes precedence over most of the other things. Another big challenge was investing in equipment and constantly upgrading, which costs a great deal of money since technology is ever-evolving. I remember my first shoot where I had shot jewellery in natural light diffused by a bedsheet held by four people hired for the day. From that money came my first professional light. All my equipment (prime and basic) has been put together one piece at a time. Other challenges were getting people to try me out for the first time. I have made more mistakes than I would like to remember, but I am glad I made them. One of the biggest tasks has been to learn to see. I am in the profession of seeing; it’s only when I see what others can’t that I can record it on camera. This ability to see has been a long and never-ending process and is often underestimated.

⚫ You have worked with many celebrities. What tips do you have to capture the personalities of such diverse and well-known professionals?