capturing photos that mean something

my way of living in the moment

I love photography.

Not the kind that wins awards or ends up in magazines. I’m not the photographer with an expensive camera chasing wildlife at sunrise. I take pictures with my phone. Sometimes they’re imperfect. Sometimes blurry. But every single one tells a story. And every time I look at them, I feel something.

That’s enough for me.

I started taking photos when I bought my first multimedia phone with a decent camera. I still remember the first picture I clicked in my hometown. There was nothing extraordinary about it. But when I saw it on my screen, I felt something shift. I had captured a moment that would never exist in that exact way again. And I loved that.

It was 2016. My friend and I were sitting by the riverside in our village. No agenda. No rush. Just watching the sun slowly disappear. I didn’t know then that I’d revisit that photo so many times in my life.

Most of the photos on my phone are from my hometown, a place where life still moves slowly and nature doesn’t rush. Evenings stretch a little longer. Winters bring soft clouds. The air feels calmer.

I love the evening sun. Winter skies. Tall buildings against fading light. High mountains. Deep jungles. Flowing water. Animals. Trees.

I can spend days around them without getting bored. If I’m travelling and I see nature quietly doing its work, clouds gathering, light falling perfectly on a field, wind moving through trees, I’ll stop & capture it.

I sometimes laugh at myself. I probably have more photos of nature than of my wife and daughter on my phone.

I’ve thought about buying a proper camera many times. But I worry about the hassle of carrying it everywhere. So I mostly shoot on my iPhone now. And over time, I’ve realised something important, it’s not the camera. It’s the intent. It’s the moment.

A good picture is one that tells you a story even when it’s raw and unfiltered.

Photography has become my way of living in the moment. It makes me pause. It makes me observe. It makes me feel.

Here are some of the pictures I’ve held onto.

The Old Semal Tree

This tree blossoms every summer. I’ve watched it bloom for nearly 20 summers of my life. It feels like an old relative — steady, reliable, always returning.

The Banyan Roots

An ancient Banyan tree in my village. I used to play with its hanging roots when I was in school. When I see that photo now, I don’t just see a tree — I see my childhood.

Calm After Two Days of Rain

After two days of continuous rain, everything felt washed and quiet. A farmer was taking his cattle out. The clouds were still performing their magic. The world looked freshly made.

A Royal Ride

A farmer returning from his fields on a bullock cart. No luxury car can match that dignity. A true Royal Sawari.

Narmada River Through Marble Rocks

The holy Narmada flowing between towering marble rocks. I was on a boat ride with my family. The water moved steadily. Time felt slower.

Varca Beach, Goa

A calm shore. Soft waves. No noise. Just space to breathe.

A Camel in Jaipur

A camel waiting patiently for his next ride in Rajasthan. There was something about his stillness that made me stop.

Trees of Shimla

A trail of tall, standing trees during an off-roading trip in Shimla. The kind of view that makes you feel small — in a good way.

Flowers at a Nursery

Rows of flowers waiting to be picked up. Ready to begin a new life in someone else’s home.

When I look at these photos today, I don’t see perfect composition or lighting. I see moments I chose not to rush past.

PS: I got some of these printed as postcards & sent it to my remote friends. They loved it :)

Thank you for reading :)