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Budding Boxers of Lucknow

A little more than a year ago, I had come home from a break between two shooting events. As we all tend to open our instagram during such trying times, I happened to see an ad about a workshop called ‘Find your creative voice’ by Indrajit Khambe. I was so ready for an experience like this that I immideately signed up for it without even going through any of their profiles. I had a faint memory of Mr. Khambe’s and went ahead with that hunch.

During our initial meeting over the zoom call, I showed him and the co-mentor, Ms. Suhitha Shetty, a lovely lady with practical and precise advice and warm support.

The workshop has to be consisting of any these subjects.
1. A documentary project

2. A Self portrait series

3. Photographing your family

I on an instinctive level had known a project that I wanted to pursue,it was to document the budding local sportsmen. I have always had an interestand practise in powerliftingbut that seemed to be an easierproject, rather I chose Boxing to be the focus for this project as although fascinating, it wasn’t a very familiar sport. It’s dynamic, fast paced and would be different from what movies show us.

I worked up my contact and got to talk to the coach at the legendary K.D Singh babu Stadium. As all things Lucknow, I was welcomed well, and a lot of folks were curious about this project. Some were reserved some enthusiastic. This is where I find this city very comfortable. You keep good intentions,a smile on your face and you are welcomed everywhere, well mostly.

This is where I begin the documentation of the Boxing department of the K.D. Singh Babu Stadium.

Junior boxers look up to their seniors not just in terms of techniques but also like their elder brothers who would chide them,nurture them and also push them forward in their training.

New entrants to the sport are mostly seen in the corner practicing their basic skills and strength to get fit enough to start their journey.

Roli & Sanket

I have been blessed to work for people who have been very clear to me what they expect from their wedding pictures. Almost always the brief is to capture them how they are and not make them do anything. I met Roli and her family five months before the wedding and it was one of the fastest booking I have ever had. I remember I was ecstatic after the meeting as it reinforced the confidence that there are takers of your vision who appreciate it and recognise it as soon as they see it. It is not to boast (because there are many more who also not end up booking with us) but they mentioned that I was the last one they met that day and were quick to like my portfolio. If you are into a creative industry on your own, you can understand how easily we undermine and self doubt ourselves all the time and small gestures like this keeps your mental health at peace for some days.

Roli and Sanket are both PhD. scholars at IIT and throughout these five months I couldn’t set up a meeting or phone call with her to understand her taste for the portraits although she had already told me she wouldn’t like to pose for any pictures but as it turned out, she straight away came to the ‘mandap’ and we didn’t get any time for the portraits as I had some slight hope to convince her as i find it to be the most challenging part in a wedding.

As a wedding photographing team we had been yearning to shoot a wedding out in the open during daytime as most weddings that we shoot happen late in the night in four walls. Luckily this wedding was scheduled for 10:30 in the morning which is very refreshing.

The mandap being looked after by Roli’s brother-in- law as he was one of the first ones to arrive and oversee the decorations.

The mandap being looked after by Roli’s brother-in- law as he was one of the first ones to arrive and oversee the decorations.

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As the time progressed, the guests starting poring in for this early morning winter wedding.

As the time progressed, the guests starting poring in for this early morning winter wedding.

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Meet Sanket, the most smiling groom have ever met till now.

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and here comes our bride……

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The case of the shining shoes.

The case of the shining shoes.

One of the kids, not happy with the price offered for the shoes, tries to saperate the newly wed couple.

One of the kids, not happy with the price offered for the shoes, tries to saperate the newly wed couple.

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Roli & Sanket photographed for their reception in the evening.

Roli & Sanket photographed for their reception in the evening.

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