Seshu himself is a professional photographer who is into kids and wedding photography and portraiture. He is a driven man when it comes to photography and accepts assignments in and around the areas of Avon, Connecticut. The secret to his great kids photography is his ability to connect with the kids at their level thereby making them comfortable around himself; thereby obviating the need to make them pose; and just click them in their normal self. This has helped in creating very natural photographs of the kids who are just being them-self. You can see some fine examples of Seshu's photographs illustrated in the interview below. You can view Seshu's kids photography portfolio here.
He also captures special moments at family events, mainly weddings. His focus here is to shoot all the special moments right from the start of the ceremony to the finishing of a wedding. so that those precious moments can be re-lived again and be shared with posterity. You can see his wedding photography portfolio here.
Apart from the above Seshu also has a subsidary website which is solely dedicated to creating head-shots for professionals. He typically conducts these sessions at his hope studio, but is also amenable to shooting at locations as suggested by his clients. He typically researches a individual/business before doing the head-shots and ensures that they are comfortable being photographed. In his own words "Headshots are typically used by actors, models, musicians and business leaders to promote themselves and to appear approachable to their potential clients". You can see the website here. Seshu was good enough to take some time out of his busy schedule and talk to us about his passion for photography and about his blog. Read on to find out what he has to say:
Seshu, please introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi there! I am a wedding and portrait photographer based in Connecticut. I am passionate about creating authentic moments for my clients worldwide. I studied documentary photography and worked as a photojournalist for a few years before segueing into weddings. Visually communicating people's stories is challenging work but it's very gratifying when they allow me the kind of access into their lives that is necessary to make powerful images for them.
What was the inspiration behind starting the Tiffinbox? Also, our readers would be curious to know the reason for a photography blog to have this name and the etymology behind it.
I was inspired and more so motivated to start Tiffinbox as a way of keeping up with my favorite photographers. Initially, it was all about South Asian or even Indian photographers but now it has morphed into something else. I lived in India for about 12 years and I recall having to take a "tiffinbox" to school. Lunch was perhaps my most favorite part of my school day! As I opened the lunch box, I was always amazed and impressed by what my mom had packed in it for me. It was always different and it was always a surprise. I chose to name my blog "Tiffinbox" because of the different photographers or even topics the blog tends to cover, though all have to do with helping photographers worldwide.
What was the reason you chose photography as a profession? Further, why did you choose children’s photography and wedding photography as your niche?
Photography was and is a calling. I simply responded to it. Even if I wasn't a "professional," I would likely pursue it out of sheer obsession. I am intrigued by what we see and feel. How we respond to each other and what our collective experiences are like inform me as to who we are as human beings. Whether it is a wedding or children being themselves, the role I take on is that of an observer. I think there is an enormous amount of natural drama and beauty within our domain that we don't have to manufacture it. Yes, the work is more challenging but as I said before it is wholly gratifying too.
Can you please elaborate on the equipment that you use for your photography? Please include details of both the hardware and the software.
I switched to digital some six years back. I have always used Nikon equipment. The bodies I use are a little bit older and need to be updated but I'll tell you straight up that the equipment one uses is of less importance than how we see and how we choose to experience the moment. Is it with intent or is it mindless. That's the larger question.
For software, I depend on Photomechanic by Camera Bits, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom. I do use Photoshop action and Lightroom presets sparingly. Recently I jumped to using Totally Rad's RadLab. Photoshop actions by Kubota Tools and Jeff Ascough are standard. I am also leaning more and more on Visual Supply Company's incredible presets.
Could you please explain to our readers how you go about planning and capturing a photo shoot?
The very first step in planning a photo session has to be having a dialogue with one's clients. I try and schedule a phone or Skype call or face-to-face meeting to discover what it is my clients are looking for or expecting. Once, I have a good understanding of their wedding day or in the case of photographing children, how they plan on celebrating a milestone, I can then schedule the photo session or reserve their date. I tend to arrive early and stay late, only because I am curious to experience what my clients and their guests are experiencing. I may not photograph the minute I get there, but perhaps scope out the space, see where the best light is coming from or start to plan on bringing my own lights in, if I have to. When I arrive to photograph children, I don't usually take my camera out until the child or children are comfortable having me around. Once everyone lets their guard down because they trust me, then the magic happens - images come together because I have succeeded in blending in.
What other professional photographers do you look up to? Do you have a personal favourite?
I believe everyone should read David duChemin's books and e-books. I personally get a lot out of what he has to say about photography. I also look up to guys like Michael Howard, who started Musea, an online gallery/proofing site for photographers. Jesh de Rox and his Beloved Movement is something I am wrapping my heart around right now because it resonates with me and the way I feel photographing people should really be about. The photographers who have taught me about lighting include Zack Arias, David Jackson, JVS, Syl Arena, Neil van Niekerk, Joe McNally, David Hobby, Mark Wallace, Martin Prihoda and Don Giannatti. The photographers who impress me the most about making this a business are Kevin Kubota, Tamara Lackey, Sarah Petty, Anne Ruthmann and Lara White. As peers and really good friends who know a lot about the industry, I would recommend connecting with Parris Whittingham and Rob & Lauren Lim of PhotographyConcentrate.com.
Apart from photography, what other activities do you enjoy? What activity do you find the most relaxing?
I listen to a lot of music as I work. Spotify is almost always on. My musical taste is eclectic. Somedays I listen to Amjad Ali Khan or some others it might be Michael Franti & Spearhead. Somewhere in between I take in a lot of jazz, blues and reggae. I spend a good deal of time on Twitter connecting with people.
What are your future plans as a photographer and a blogger?
Well, as plans go, I would love to have a space where I or photographers whose work I admire could come in and present their work in the form of seminars or workshops. I expect to have my business here in Avon,Connecticut grow more organically over the next few years.
I would love to be able give back to documentary photographers through Tiffinbox, so monetizing it is a priority. It will still be a labor of love, but I do see that it has the potential to grow. I am looking for sponsors who might be interested in reaching a professional or semi-professional photographers.
What advice would you like to give to aspiring and budding photographers?
When I was wrapping up my graduate degree in journalism at Indiana University, one of my professors pulled me aside and gave me a note. It said very bluntly - "you have talent, now get to work." Photography is a lot of work. It looks deceivingly easy to do but to master it you have to live it, breathe it, practice it like crazy. I suspect learning from a good teacher is always a good thing but one then has to implement what has been learned. One of my favorite photographers William Albert Allard said "Don't be afraid to make creative mistakes."
Thank you Seshu for taking the time for this interview. Your photography is marvelous and we wish you and Tiffinbox the very best for the future.
You can find out more about Seshu and Tiffinbox at:
Tiffinbox
Kids Photography
Wedding Photography
Connecticut Headshots
Such lovely images. hats off to your photography. I am known as <Wedding photographer sydney Deyan. please visit my website at http://www.deyan.com.au/