“One is truly fortunate when their hobby becomes their profession because you not only enjoy doing it, but also get paid for it” - a soothing line said by Prashant who has completed nearly a silver jubilee in Architecture & Interior Design Photography and all he has got is passion for his work and a drive to excel .This Mumbaikar has successfully aimed at shooting for all the leading Architecture & Interior Design magazines of India and has also had his work published in International magazines . He truly proves that talent and perseverance is the only prerequisite to showcase your skills worldwide.We are humbled to share the story of an expert from this unacknowledged field of photography i.e. Architecture & Interior Design Photography.

We are really keen to know; how did your journey begin?

I joined my brother’s video production house to earn for the family, but later on he left the business and it was handed over to me. I then decided to be a photographer as video production was very hectic. I realized that wedding photography was a good career monetary wise, but it did not have any recognition at that time like it has now. People used to appreciate my clicked portraits, so I decided to try my luck in fashion photography. I kept experimenting it on my friends by making them models to figure out where I was going wrong and after a while, I started getting professional assignments and recognition in this field. I was associated with New Women Magazine and started shooting for some leading fashion designers. One day I was invited for an interior design shoot as I had knowledge of photography and since then it made me curious towards this field of photography and I kept on getting more similar projects. After spending three years of learning on field under different designers, many interior design magazines approached me. I realized that I could not stand on two boats, so I quit fashion photography, and this is how I began a full-time career in Architecture & Interior Design Photography.

What were the hardships / hurdles you have encountered during your journey? How did you overcome them?

To keep working towards achieving better results and to bag better projects were the only hardship that I can remember. At that time, I could not afford any institute and photography was my only source of income so I couldn’t invest time to learn from the scratch apart from working. A lot of hard work is still going on, I do not take single shot for granted and currently, consistency is the only hardship as I have to give my best at every project.

Know me Beyond Photography

Success is incomplete without its share of setbacks. What advice do you give to others about handling the setbacks?

Accept failures gracefully before someone else points it out to you. If you refuse to accept your mistakes, people will lose faith in you and if you accept them, you’re surely going to get a lot of respect for your work.

Do you think photography and its learnings can be helpful in life even if one does not want to consider it as a career goal?

Photography teaches you to find beauty in the smallest things around you. It makes us realize the beauty of every human, living and non-living elements around us.

Who has been the main influencers in your journey & how?

I have been influenced by some of the best architects who were with me back then and guided me on the rights and wrongs not only in the aspect of photography but also in overall ethical values in architecture. Such things makes you better professionally.

Which was "that" moment when you considered yourself as "I Am The 1"?

Whenever a prestigious project comes, then I feel like “I Am The 1” as I was the one who shot for one of the major projects of Charles Correa’s in his presence, and I actually felt at that moment “How come I Am The 1?” As I am an untrained photographer who has got an opportunity to document project for one of the best architects in the world and not only this, he handed me a copy of his portfolio as a token of appreciation.

What are the pre-coaching essentials e.g. right age, mindset or anything else?

There are no prerequisites to become a photographer at all, I do not mean necessarily for a commercial one. Thanks to social media as people are clicking amazing pictures through their mobile from anywhere and finding beauty in every object, even if he/she is a child who has just come across a camera in mobile phone.

What is the scope of Photography in India?

I feel if someone becomes successful in some medium then everyone would follow that person. There are multiple career options in Photography, like even for weddings, there is an event photographer and one for candid photography. In Interior Design Photography, there are less photographers and a lot of work available, but one should be patient enough to understand what is to be captured. If a photographer understands his/her audience, then there is indeed much scope for him/her in this craft.

Technology is changing the way people get trained in Photography. What's your take?

I started shooting on negatives and transparency, experimenting only with films, exposure, chemicals and improvising with manual printing in a darkroom. After digitalization, HDR and various software’s were introduced which in turn is easy for those who didn’t know how to expose a film, but at the same time it is difficult as there are so many options available. It is good until a software intervenes. Today improvising and editing many minor errors has become easier.

If you were to bring one big change in the way people get trained in Photography what would that be?

I would ask them to think of the composition as photography is translating things in your own language and presenting it in your pictures. Do not follow what is being followed since ages, learn the basics and create something new out of it. That is how the art will evolve.

What do you suggest for better accessibility of Photography training in remote parts of India?

Architecture is present in every nook and corner of the world and if some place has an interesting architecture then there is also a scope of it being photographed. It all depends on the interest, if one is interested then one will somehow surely find their way to it.

Any other thoughts you want to share…

I am honoured to be recognized on your platform, thank you very much.