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The Tiger's Realm: Portraits of India's Big Cats

byHemaBased in Mumbai; travels across India for photography assignmentsStarts from₹18,000 Per DayView full gallery

I document the lives of big cats across India, from the legendary fighters of Tadoba to the mother tigresses of Corbett. These are intimate, ethical, and raw stories captured in the wild.

The scars on Chota Matka's face tell a thousand stories of battles fought and territories won. This close-up portrait from Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve was my attempt to capture the soul of a true survivor and king.

A tiger pauses for a drink at a waterhole in Satpura Tiger Reserve, its reflection staring back with equal intensity. This shot captures the duality of its nature: the physical presence and its powerful, almost mythical, spirit.

A young tiger in Satpura Tiger Reserve snarls with the confidence of its lineage. Documenting the next generation is vital for conservation, as it represents hope for the species' future.

A complete family portrait of a tigress with her three cubs in the forests of India. Moments like these are rare and precious, showcasing the social structure and maternal bonds within these typically solitary animals.

A leopard marks its territory in the dense forests of Tadoba. Unlike tigers, leopards are masters of stealth, and capturing them in such a natural, unguarded moment requires immense patience and forest craft.

The powerful, silent walk of a tiger is mesmerizing. This video captures the fluid grace and focused intent of a tiger patrolling its territory along a riverbed in Madhya Pradesh.

Peeking through the dense foliage, a tiger's gaze is a powerful reminder that in the jungle, you are always being watched. This image from Tadoba highlights their mastery of camouflage.

A tender moment between Parwali, a tigress from Jim Corbett National Park, and her cubs. A mother's love is a universal language, and my photography aims to capture these gentle interactions that are fundamental to survival.

This is T46, a dominant male from Kanha National Park. The goal of this portrait was to convey his sheer power and presence, showcasing the robust health of the tiger population in one of India's premier reserves.

This video captures the raw emotion of Chota Matka, the legendary fighter of Tadoba, yawning in a waterhole. These moments, which seem fleeting, are what build the character and story of an individual animal.

About The Tiger's Realm: Portraits of India's Big Cats

Getting a clean shot of a tiger is not about sitting in a jeep and clicking a button. My approach is entirely ethical; I prioritize being invisible and patient to document natural behaviors without disturbing the animal. Whether I am shooting a portrait of a dominant male like T46 or a quiet moment of a tigress with her cubs, my goal is to document their real lives, not just create a pretty picture.

Documented across Tadoba, Kanha, and Corbett. — Approved by the tribe
H

Hema

Based in Mumbai; travels across India for photography assignmentsStarts from ₹18,000 Per Day

I am a Mumbaikar with a camera and a heart in the wild. I do not just photograph tigers; I aim to tell their stories, from the legendary fighters of Tadoba to the resilient tigresses in Corbett. My work is my way of advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves.

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A tiger peers from behind a tree, its gaze direct and intense. In these fleeting moments, you feel the true presence of the apex predator of the Indian jungle, a master of its domain.20
After slumbering in a waterhole through the peak summer heat, a tiger rises. Its rear half is glistening with cool ooze as it stretches, preparing for the evening's hunt in the Central Indian wilds.
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A shy and nocturnal Leopard Cat, perfectly camouflaged, peers down from the safety of a tree branch. Spotting this smaller wild cat requires a keen eye and a quiet approach in the dense forest.

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A young tigress, Choti Madhu, walks head-on in Tadoba. Capturing this intense gaze and powerful walk is a signature shot for any wildlife photographer.
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