is the most famous, talked-about and happening photographer in Hyderabad. Chenji also holds the credit for being one amongst the few photographers from India who worked for the much-acclaimed National Geographic Channel.

He is an Image Engineer who can not only create the right image mood and setting for any brand, but also visualize the impact and returns that an image will get for his clients, in the long term. And this comes from having been doing just this for over two decades with remarkable success.

How and when did you get started in photography?
Started by stealing a practically unused camera-Yashica-Minister D, belonging to my father from the almirah. Fiddled around enough with it by myself to figure out focusing etc., after getting a couple of briefings from friends who knew how to load film into a camera, I was off. All my pocket money in school used to go into 2 rolls of B & W films and processing and printing of 1 roll on B2 size pix. Prints from the other roll used to be funded by money that I flicked while buying vegetables for the house.

Have there been artists who have influenced your work?

Not Artists per se. Although I did start drawing and painting at school under my art teacher Ambadas Muhurkar, it was photographers like George Silk, Avedon, Beaton , Haas, Salgado and a host of others who left an impression on me.

What do you like capturing the most and what made you want to specialize in this category?

EMOTIONS! All the while. And since people are very emotional and I could get a plate of idli to look emotional too, I began to like fashion and small product and editorial photography.

The attraction to fashion also stemmed from the fact that I could get close to all those pretty girls!

You have recently done an assignment for Visage Media Services, what can you say about it – the challenges, the ideas, the evolution of a story line?

Ashok (the Creative Director at Visage Media Services) is a great guy to work with simply because he thinks! So I’m rather happy to be doing any work through him as it can lead to some very satisfying work and a regular meal of Irani samosas and chai.

What are your thoughts on the concept of digital pre-shot imagery?

Lets say some folks like store made trousers while others want tailor made.

What is the most demanding shot you have ever done?

Every one of my shots is demanding. If it isn’t you’ll watch me wandering around with a vacuous look

What’s the best use of a picture that you have ever seen (an ad, a book cover, etc…)?

MY NEXT ONE!