--- title: "Behind the Lens: My Authentic Photography Process in Mumbai" description: "Discover my approach to cinematic portrait photography in Mumbai. No plastic edits, just real images. See my process for editorial shoots and portraits." canonical: https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah/portrait-fashion-photography/behind-the-lens-my-process last_updated: 2026-01-12 --- # Behind the Lens: My Authentic Photography Process Tribe Verified · Real, unedited skin textures in Mumbai By [Aakash](https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah) · Shoots across Mumbai · ₹3,000 per session (estimate) Part of [Portrait & Fashion Photography](https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah/portrait-fashion-photography). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah/portrait-fashion-photography/gallery) I don't just click people, I shoot 'hoomans'. Here is the raw process behind the cinematic mood, lighting, and natural edits I use to create images that actually feel real. ## Photos and videos - [Video: In this video, I break down why over-editing can ruin a good portrait. I show my approach to natural retouching in Photoshop to prove that "real" is always better.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/21b94a81-3192-48e6-9e11-fd1c45556ec7) - [Video: Think you can't get great photos at night? Watch this. I demonstrate my technique for using off-camera flash to achieve dramatic, professional-quality portraits in complete darkness.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e9959eb2-e852-4807-b710-138090a69b15) - [Video: This reel gives a peek at the "moment" versus the final "photo." It shows how I direct models and compose a shot in a real-world environment to create a polished editorial image.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/374d0aa8-a2d8-4554-aa14-2da4dee16eb2) - [Video: A quick look at my essential gear, the Sony A7III and Tamron 28-75mm lens. The video then transitions into a fast-paced showcase of the kind of images this setup helps me create.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/70ac2fc3-4423-45e7-9c56-a6697ef938d5) - [Video: From a black and white behind-the-scenes clip to the final, color-graded golden hour shots. This video shows the process and the beautiful results of a rooftop saree shoot.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bd195d6d-c7c4-455e-bc0d-9647196459a1) - [Video: A simple demonstration of "What You See" versus "What I Get." This shows how I use my lens and perspective to frame a subject and create a compelling set of portfolio images from a basic location.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/edca496e-a635-465c-a9a8-360e695d986c) - [Video: This reel is all about the feeling of creating, the "photos lene ki sensation." It's a compilation of final shots that represent my passion for capturing authentic moments.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fc9f041f-def0-493b-b446-4a0cb492fd81) ## About Behind the Lens: My Process People often ask why my portraits look different. It comes down to one thing, I stop caring about perfection. Whether I am shooting a saree editorial on a rooftop or a street portrait in Colaba, I am looking for texture, real skin, and the mood created by the available light. If I use a flash, it is to define a character, not to hide flaws. You will not find heavy airbrushing or plastic-looking filters in your final gallery because I believe a photo should look like the person in it. ### The Technical Side of 'Real' I shoot primarily on the Sony A7III paired with a Tamron 28-75mm lens. This combo gives me the sharpness for editorial work and the versatility to handle low-light environments in Mumbai, from Dadar Market to quiet home studios. When you see those high-contrast, moody portraits, that is usually a mix of golden hour natural light and a precise off-camera flash setup. I do not rely on heavy post-processing to fix mistakes made on set. ### Why I Avoid Heavy Retouching The industry standard for model portfolios often involves aggressive frequency separation that makes skin look like plastic. I do the opposite. I use Photoshop for essential color grading, fabric fall adjustments, and lighting, but I leave your skin texture exactly as it is. Real pores, subtle imperfections, and actual skin tone are what make a portrait authentic. ### My Directing Style The biggest bottleneck in a shoot is stiffness. You will see me talking, moving, and sometimes playing music to break the awkwardness. We do not do 'plastic posing' here. I focus on micro-expressions and body language. If we are shooting a cinematic saree editorial, we are focusing on movement and mood. If it is a street portrait, we are capturing the interaction between you and the city. My goal is to get you comfortable enough to forget the camera is even there. ## About Aakash I am Aakash. I started this because I was tired of seeing photographers prioritize editing over the actual moment. I am here to help you get images that capture your real energy, not a filtered version of yourself. [See all of Aakash's services](https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah) ## More from Portrait & Fashion Photography by Aakash - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah/portrait-fashion-photography/featured) - [Modern Saree Editorials](https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah/portrait-fashion-photography/modern-saree-editorials) - [Mumbai Street & Urban Portraits](https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah/portrait-fashion-photography/mumbai-street-urban-portraits) - [Beach & Natural Light Sessions](https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah/portrait-fashion-photography/beach-natural-light-sessions) - [Cinematic Indoor & Studio Work](https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah/portrait-fashion-photography/cinematic-indoor-studio-work) - [Men's Portfolio Essentials](https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah/portrait-fashion-photography/men-s-portfolio-essentials) - [Outdoor & Environmental Portraits](https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah/portrait-fashion-photography/outdoor-environmental-portraits) ## More services by Aakash - [Couple & Pre-Wedding Photography](https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah/couple-pre-wedding-photography) - [Concert & Live Music Photography](https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah/concert-live-music-photography) - [Photography Mentoring & Education](https://mytribe.in/aakash__kushwah/photography-mentoring-education) ## Similar work from other experts - [Behind the Lens: My Portrait Photography Process](https://mytribe.in/vidhithakur/portrait-headshot-photography/behind-the-lens-my-process) by Vidhi Thakur · Portrait & Headshot Photography · Studio and on-location shoots across Mumbai - [Professional Portrait Photography](https://mytribe.in/shikharphotographer/celebrity-artist-portrait-photography/featured) by Shikhar Shukla · Celebrity & Artist Portrait Photography · Shoots across Mumbai; travels pan-India for projects - [Behind the Scenes of My Photography](https://mytribe.in/ajinkyapixels/portrait-photography/behind-the-scenes) by Ajinkya Chavan · Portrait Photography · Shoots at studio in Seawoods or travels across Mumbai Metropolitan Area - [Behind the Scenes of My Photography Process](https://mytribe.in/kavishphotography/portrait-photography/behind-the-scenes) by Kavish Photography · Portrait Photography · Studio in Borivali West; Shoots across Mumbai - [Behind the Scenes: The Magic of a Mumbai Studio Shoot](https://mytribe.in/itspkphotography.in/portrait-photography/behind-the-scenes-the-magic-in-making) by PK Photography · Portrait Photography · Shoots at Andheri West studio or on-location across Mumbai - [Behind the Scenes: The Making of Your Portrait](https://mytribe.in/etherealphotographyindia/portfolio-shoots-content-creation/behind-the-scenes-the-making-of) by Ethereal Photography · Portfolio Shoots & Content Creation · Available for shoots in Haldwani, Delhi NCR, Mumbai & across Uttarakhand ## Book To book Aakash, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hey%20Aakash%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20'Behind%20the%20Lens'%20process.%20I'm%20looking%20for%20a%20real%2C%20cinematic%20shoot%20in%20Mumbai%20and%20wanted%20to%20chat%20about%20how%20you%20work.)