Freeze Frame

While filmmaking is his true métier, Ishaan Nair is currently making a mark in the world of fashion through his flair for photography

How did you discover your passion for photography?

IN: I discovered my love for photography on a family vacation to Italy when I was 12. My mother had 36 images on her roll of film and I was allowed half the number for my abstractions; the rest were for touristy family pictures. And at 12 I realized it was a career in the arts for me! I pursued a BFA at School of Visual Arts New York, majoring Direction and Cinematography. Photography was a happy accident and a byproduct of my training in cinema. New York’s diversity and its being a cultural hub and melting pot for arts and immigrants is something that I imbibed in my sense of esthetics.

Tell us about your journey into fashion photography.

IN: Photography started as a means to an end. I was trying to support myself in Mumbai and I owned a semi professional SLR. I began shooting head shots for struggling actors and portraits of families to pay the bills. A close friend introduced me to Kalki Koechlin, and our shoot together got picked up for Filmfare magazine; this slowly gave birth to a career in celebrity and fashion photography. I realized that I really enjoyed it and had a knack for the medium.

Do you enjoy working with celebrities?

IN: Celebrities can be wonderful and also some of the most beautiful monsters you’ve ever encountered. Bollywood shoots mean endless hours of waiting and just about three hours to capture the entire shoot. However, it’s usually quite rewarding when you look at the final images - they all are ace at their job. I love working with Sonam Kapoor and Kalki as they always keep me trigger-happy.

What type of work do you do?