HANSRAJ DOCHANIYA

“My work tries to cross paths between culture and subject identity. While doing that, it creates an intersection point where all the visual magic happens.”

How did your journey with photography begin?

I come from a humble background of non-creative professionals. But I chose the uncharted path and graduated in fashion communication from Symbiosis Institute of Design. While studying I’ve had the opportunity to try my hands on different aspects of Design & Fashion which included Styling, Visual Merchandising, Graphic Design, Photography, Makeup Etc. By the end of my graduation, I had a lot of inspiring moments that prompted me to take up photography as a career. After working in the industry for almost 4 years I decided to break away from all the Commercial work I was doing and started creating the kind of work that I love. I still live a dual life of managing my commercial and personal work, trying to balance them and someday merge them both together.

How would you describe your photographic style?

My work tries to cross paths between culture and subject identity. While doing that, it creates an intersection point where all the visual magic happens.

Tell us a bit about your choice in subjects ?

The intent of the image plays a central role in my photography process whether it is a Portrait or a photo series. It is important to showcase the subject or the theme in a manner that speaks with the viewer. The subject then becomes the centrepiece of the whole composition. Their expressions, body language, and the surroundings become the elements that complete this composition.
Using these elements, I direct these shoots based on a theme. It can be a theme that I am personally inclined towards or it could also be about the life, identity, and personality of the subject. Their profession and passion, their preferences and experiences, every aspect of their lives fuels and builds up a visual character in my mind. Based on which I direct and execute the shoot.

What has your experience been like as a photographer in India today?

Being a photographer might mean a lot of things in India. In my experience as a fashion photographer, I have had the chance to interact with three clusters who are distinct in their type of work and the style that they pursue. They have their individual aspirations and view the field of fashion photography through their individual lenses. Some view photography exclusively only as a means of monetary earnings, while some are constantly experimenting with the identity in their work, their style and expression. More so, the ones who have discovered their essence and identity have attached themselves with brands that echo their beliefs and are able to express their creativity.

The community of makeup artists, stylists and models also become associated with a similar niche which eventually builds a personal network. These categories of professionals have their own set of patrons and the opportunities that they present come through personal relationships that are built over time. However, the style and aesthetic sensibility of the individual defines the type of opportunities presented to them as freelancers.

The kind of opportunities that have come my way have helped me grow and evolve my work. The variety of clients that have come my way has always been an important part of my development, the kind of projects that I curate for myself has always pushed not only the boundaries of my skills but also my expression. There are always constraints that come along with the clients and their requirements. Sometimes these constraints are helpful and sometimes they become highly restrictive. I want to reinvest my earnings back into the kind of experiments I want to be associated with.

“I look at my work as a really big tree branching out with leaves and fruits arising from a single seed. All of it as a one single family.”

What is it that drives you and your work?

My eagerness to challenge the norms and to evoke emotions through my work.

What do you shoot on?

I primarily shoot on my DSLR and occasionally for my personal projects I shoot on film 35MM and 120MM.

Is there a creative process behind planning your shoots? Tell us a bit about this.

I like working on a single idea or a picture, and If I succeed I try to expand that idea into a multiverse and then work on the different branches around the central idea. This is what I aspire to do. I look at my work as a really big tree branching out with leaves and fruits arising from a single seed. All of it as a one single family.

“Never forget your roots, go deep in telling stories & photographing things which are close to your heritage, culture and local surroundings, and the success will follow” - Charles Freger

What would you say had been your most successful shoot so far?

A photo-series based on Krishna I recently shot with my collaborators, which is exactly the kind of work I want to produce more often, has been the most successful and my favourite so far.

What advice do you have for young photographers out there?

One of the best pieces of advice I have received from Charles Freger while working with him on one of his projects, which I would like to pass on, is never forget your roots, go deep in telling stories & photographing things which are close to your heritage, culture and local surroundings, and the success will follow.