Every food or design journalist in Bangalore has at some point worked with photographer Sanjay Ramachandran. He is professional in an unobtrusive kind of way. Easy going, laidback, modest. There are no rough edges or temper tantrums. His ego if he has one is visible only in his prolific output as he shoots almost every day of the month for a host of magazines, architects, designers, restaurants and coffee table books apart from spending time on his passion for non-commercial photography.

I remember being on many home and design shoots with him when I was working for an architectural magazine and he never ever so much as frowned if you did not see a location the way he did. He however has a great eye for aesthetic detail and I still recall just how he would take his time to arrange a cushion, smoothen a pleat, shift a vase to make a shot perfect. His food photography bursts with flavour and every shot in any genre is a result of a quiet determination to achieve something exceptional.

He also has a full life apart from work, enjoys good food and travel and spends the limited free time he gets, with his dogs, family and friends. And if his success has a method, it is this. Follow your passion. Keep learning. Keep working. And build a network of supportive people within your profession and beyond.


Sanjay Ramachandran speaks to Unboxed Writers about his journey so far..

When and why did you decide to become a photographer?

In 1994 when I came to Bangalore, I happened to meet a photographer and began to assist him. Somehow from class eight onwards, I had developed an interest in photography but had no intention of becoming a photographer by profession. But when this chance came, I decided in a fraction of a second that this is what I wanted to do even though it was totally accidental. I decided that this is the profession where I can be happy.

What was your first big break?

I started working independently in 2000 and Prasad Bidapa (fashion guru and a mentor to many young talents) gave me the first commercial break. It was indeed huge. I had just started and here was a five day long assignment. He was my biggest support in the initial days of my career.

Is it tough to walk the line between art and mart ?

It is. It is not possible for every one to have the right blend of both but there is a good market for both and if you can strike a balance and are good, things get easier and come easier to you.

What do you say to up and coming photographers?

Be passionate about the profession. The rest will follow.

What has been the kind of work you have been doing lately?

I started as a fashion photographer and did that for the first three years of my career. Then  slowly started doing more of food and interiors and now I do only these two. Have been working extensively on coffee table books off late and currently have completed eight such projects and will start shooting for two more in March. In April, I start my own book on Kerala and its cuisine. The first food book I shot for, Vidhu Mittal’s Pure and Simple also received an international award. I also had my first exhibition showcasing a series on Hampi last year.

And the biggest thumb rule of a good picture is?

Any visual that gives satisfaction to your heart.

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