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Portraits of India: Faces & Friendships

bySushant MauryaShoots on location across Delhi NCR; Travels pan-India for projectsStarts from₹12,500 per sessionView full gallery

Real moments, raw emotion. These portraits capture people exactly as they are—no studio lights, no posing, just life as it happens.

A striking close-up portrait of a child with freckles and intense blue eyes, his direct and soulful gaze creating a powerful connection.

A young girl smiles warmly as she holds her infant sibling, a heartwarming black and white portrait of love and responsibility in a rural setting.

A child's face emerges from the dark water, their eyes wide and captivating in a dramatic and artistic black and white portrait that blurs the line between life and art.

Four friends play together in the water, their joy and camaraderie captured from above in a lively black and white photograph about friendship.

Two boys splash and play in the Ganga river in Bihar during the early morning, a candid shot full of energy and the simple joys of childhood.

A woman in Bihar playfully lifts her veil, looking towards the camera with a gentle smile in a simple yet elegant black and white portrait.

About Portraits of India: Faces & Friendships

Here is the thing about my portraits: you will not find studio lights or instructions to smile. I work strictly with natural light, whether it is the harsh midday sun or the soft mist at dawn. We meet where you feel most comfortable, and I wait for that one genuine glance where you forget I am even there.

Documenting cultural stories across India. — Approved by the tribe
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Sushant Maurya

Shoots on location across Delhi NCR; Travels pan-India for projectsStarts from ₹12,500 per session

I am Sushant, a photographer who chases stories from Kashi to the high passes of Ladakh. I do not do studio sessions or staged shots. I prefer to meet you in your space, document the real you, and leave the posing to someone else.

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I met this gentleman on the street and was drawn to his intense, thoughtful expression. His face shows a life of experience, and I wanted to capture that character in a direct, honest portrait.16
After a few moments, his serious expression broke into this wonderful, genuine smile. It completely changed the feel of the portrait and shows the importance of connecting with the people I photograph.
This is another angle from the same street portrait session. The slightly off-center composition and the soft background help to emphasize his weathered features and steady gaze.
A slight turn of the head and a glance away can tell a different story. Here, the subject seems lost in thought, creating a more contemplative street portrait.

Authentic Street Portraits: Capturing the Faces of India

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WepinShoots across Delhi NCR
I believe that when you photograph people in black and white, you capture a piece of their soul. This candid portrait, taken in a quiet moment, focuses on the man's expression and character, stripping away the distraction of color to tell a more profound story.8
This is a moody, intimate portrait where I used natural, soft light to highlight her contemplative expression. The focus is on the quiet intensity in her eyes, creating a portrait that feels both powerful and personal, a style I love for fashion photography.
In the blue lanes of Jodhpur, I saw this young girl standing with a curious gaze. This shot is about more than just a portrait; it's about capturing a person within their environment, telling the story of a place through its people.
For this lifestyle fashion shoot in Bharatpur, we used the texture of a rustic wall as our backdrop. The model is posed naturally, sitting on the wall, which creates an authentic and relaxed feel, showcasing how personal style can blend with heritage locations.

Authentic & Soulful Portrait Photography

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Wildtramp PhotographyShoots across Delhi NCR; Travels pan-India for projects
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A golden hour portrait session on a rocky Mumbai beach. I focused on using the soft, warm light of the sunset to capture a natural and relaxed moment against the sea.

Cinematic Portrait Photography for Real Stories

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NiteshTravels for destination shoots anywhere in India
A sadhu's face illuminated only by the flame of a matchstick. This portrait uses light and shadow to create a sense of mystery and deep contemplation, a signature style in my work.22
The joyful, wrinkled face of an elderly woman in a traditional Himachali cap. Her smile is infectious and holds the wisdom of a life lived in the mountains.
A close-up portrait of a Dhaneta Jat woman from Kutch, Gujarat. The focus is on her traditional, large nose ring, a symbol of her marital status and cultural identity.
A powerful black and white portrait of an Apatani woman from Arunachal Pradesh. The texture of her wrinkled skin and the traditional nose plugs tell a story of a disappearing culture.

Faces of Faith: Candid Portrait Photography in India

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MokshShoots across Delhi NCR; Travels across India for projects
A soft, naturally lit portrait in a field of tall grass. The warm tones and the model's gentle expression create a serene and beautiful image.42
A creative detail shot focusing on the watch, with the model blurred in the background. This is a great way to highlight an accessory in a lifestyle context.
A joyful and energetic portrait capturing a candid moment of movement. I love bringing out the playful side of my subjects during a shoot.
A confident pose from the same outdoor session. The clean background helps the model and her colorful top stand out.

Additional Portraits: Authentic Candid Photography

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TK Wedding StoriesOn-location shoots in Bengaluru & Kerala; Travels across India
The incredible, heartwarming smile of an 'aaji' I met. This close-up shot in vibrant color captures the sheer happiness and life in her eyes, a moment of pure, unadulterated joy.6
A portrait of an elderly flower seller, tired but resilient. This image tells the story of her day's hard work, sitting with her basket of marigolds, and captures a moment of quiet dignity.
A candid, side-profile shot of the 'aaji'. This black and white photo focuses on the beautiful textures of her wrinkled skin and her gentle smile, telling a story of a life fully lived.
A close-up portrait capturing a soft, downward glance. The focus is on the 'aaji's' expression, filled with a gentle warmth that makes this image incredibly touching and real.

Portraits That Capture the Soul

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Swwarali GaddreBased in Navi Mumbai; travels across India for shoots

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