Interview and words by Shristi Jaiswal

The slow fall of autumn leaves, the movement of a Ferris wheel, glasses casting rainbows all around and colours found in clothes that feels like summer breeze. Finding beauty in our surroundings is a seamless way to create a life that’s easy to fall in love with it. Observing and capturing these moments of utter splendor is what many believe to be a profession strongly inclined towards the aesthetic ideals of appreciating and giving recognition to beauty in all its diverse form. Through pictures, carrying their unique essence, they leave behind a piece of themselves that goes on to live for ever more while successively inspiring others along the way.

Vidushi Gupta, a Delhi based fashion photographer, captures moments that never fails to portray the best version of both the designer’s vision as well as the models that gracefully bring them to life. Blending together shades of pastels and soft colours remarkably well with just the correct lightings, she succeeds in capturing stills that, compliments the work of art be it clothes, jewellery, etc. as well as bring to light photographs that are soothing to one’s eyes. She has worked with various renowned brands, clothing labels and designers. Her work has also been featured in revered magazines such as Bazaar and Vogue. During our call she talked about the art of observance, inspirations she picked along her journey and her interpretation of what we perceive to be feminine beauty.

What drew you to photography when you were younger?

Since I was a child I have been a very observant person. Rather than talking I used to quietly observe the trees, the clouds and the conversations. I know this might sound odd but there is beauty in observing conversations and human behaviour. I found my artistic inclination when I started college. I joined a course of fashion media communication with the intentions of becoming a writer. However, when I got to study photography as a subject for one of my semesters all my childhood memories of being a deep observer and shooting nature and people through my phone started making sense. So I would say my love for being still and being in the moment drew me to photography.

How would you define your photography style?

It takes years and years of practising this art form and the gift that you receive out of it is your style and a handful of people who understand the same. I would say that I am still exploring and will keep on doing that for a few more years until I have enough documentation to finally sit back and discover a pattern that ran through the years. Though, one common thought that is prevalent throughout whenever I take pictures or create paintings is the yearning to be remembered. Visual art, in any form, is documentation. We, as of this moment, are creating history for the future and magic for the present.

We, as of this moment, are creating history for the future and magic for the present.

What camera do you use take the pictures you post on Instagram?

I am currently using Canon 5d mark 4.  Further, I take lots of images using my iPhone. I feel that being in the moment and freezing it in the era of digital phones can be a great piece of equipment too.

You make beautiful use of natural lighting and thereby most of your pictures carry soft colourful hues. Is there any particular reason why you choose to focus on the same?

Correct lighting is such a blessing. It can downright transform the aesthetic of the frame. I would say that diffused sunlight is the most honest and visually pleasing lighting. Most of the time you achieve it by diffusing natural light and other times you have to create it using artificial flashes. Either ways it is soothing to the eye and when it comes to shooting fashion- this light just gives it more meaning and makes it look emotional and feminine.

What according to you eloquently describes feminine beauty?

Feeling comfortable in your skin and knowing that you are unique and hence the most beautiful version of yourself is what I would say feminine beauty stands for. When I take pictures of female models or my friends I always carry forward the mind-set that they are stunning. By believing this statement myself I make them comfortable enough to see the same. The language between the camera and the subject can only be translated when the photographer has faith in what they want to bring out in the subject.

The language between the camera and the subject can only be translated when the photographer has faith in what they want to bring out in the subject.

What would you say is your favourite subject to shoot- women in traditional Indian attires or women in contemporary attires?

I love shooting women in clothes that make them look fluid. It can be anything- Indian or contemporary, it doesn’t necessarily matter. Clothes create stories and as a fashion photographer I need to believe in the designer’s vision and then envisage the clothes in the best lighting, postures and frame. I believe there are always a worst and a best way of depicting something. Again, you have to love what you see and it translates inevitably in the pictures.

What does photography personally mean to you?

It means letting go. When we take a picture, we are so engaged in capturing the moment that we forget to live it. Nonetheless, there lies the perk of owning the moment for the rest of our life time. Photography for me, is therefore the process of giving up living in the moments in order to live it forever.

It is an art which has changed me as a person. It has made me more confident and more vocal about my life choices. I love the fact that my profession and passion has made me a better person. Every time I take pictures it changes and simultaneously challenges me.

I believe that it is super important for the entire team to be in a positive frequency- that’s when a shoot turns out to be fun and successful.

What does your typical shoot day look like?

It means getting up super early (I love early call times), making a checklist of all the equipment and then getting it all ready for travelling. Once I arrive at the shoot location the first thing I do is perceive the clothes and my model because I love to get inspired through them. Also it helps me understand the designer’s perspective. From that point onwards it is setting up lights, taking test shots and finally starting the shoot with some good music, coffee and snacks. I believe that it is super important for the entire team to be in a positive frequency- that’s when a shoot turns out to be fun and successful.

A dream destination you believe would be ideally perfect for holding a shoot?

I have various destinations on my list that I believe would yield gorgeous photographs. I would love to shoot inside a castle in Iceland, a lavender shade motel in Florida, the pink beach in Australia or at an old restaurant in Italy. All these places, for me, hold mystical stories highlighting the reason behind their existence. I want to be a part of their story and make them part of mine.

What are you main sources of inspiration?

My main source of inspiration will always be individuals who paint and illustrate because I feel they build a universe which is a reflection of their own being. I also get inspired through pretty skies. I believe it to be an infinite canvas and thus will always be in awe of it. My parents and my siblings are another source of my inspiration. They never give up on me and always stand strong by and for me. It gives me the courage to pick myself up whenever I fall down.

Photography for me, is therefore the process of giving up living in the moments in order to live it forever.

Were you always a photographer by profession or were there drifts along the way before you finally began to pursue it full time?

I was always a photographer right out of college. By then I had already started building my portfolio and had loved every minute of it. I also treasure practising to paint and learning different artistic mediums. I never want to stop learning. During this lockdown I learned how to bake! It is a small life and I want to be all that I can be.

While shooting, how would you say you seek to portray/ highlight women through your lens?

I see women as strong individuals who can be anything they would ever want to be. They are art in themselves.

An artist, living or dead, you admire the most?

Sally Mann! She is an American photographer and one of my absolute favourites. The way she observes and captures moments is tremendously inspiring.

I see women as strong individuals who can be anything they would ever want to be. They are art in themselves.

Do you have any advice for aspiring photographers?

I would say fall in love with it and then pursue it further. Photography or for that matter any kind of passion/profession has to be something that excites you and which you unquestionably love. Correspondingly, observe more and imagine more because our mind is the biggest canvas we can ever own.

Is there a particular series of photographs that you wish to shoot in the future? What message would it highlight?

I want to do a series of photographs about nature. I have actually started it. I want to portray nature in a way that rightfully looks bigger than us; more powerful than us. The intention behind is the need to always remind myself and others that it is the most important part of this world and deserves respect and healing. We are nobody without it.

Any quote you want to leave us with?

Have gratitude. Everything that we have will seem enough if we carry in us the feeling of gratitude. Being able to practise a profession which is also my passion is a gift that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

www.instagram.com/vidushiiiiiiiii
www.vidushiguptaphotography.com