Experimental & Avant-Garde Photography
Conceptual fashion photography for brands and magazines. I focus on surreal perspectives, dramatic lighting, and storytelling through distortion to create visuals that defy conventions.
A distorted fisheye portrait from the 'Peek-a-boo' series. The model, wearing embellished gloves and a head covering, frames her face in a playful yet unsettling pose, creating a surreal, peephole effect.
A moody, cinematic shot from the 'Peek-a-boo' series, taken in a dark location with car headlights creating motion trails. The model leans against a tiled wall, holding a camera, suggesting a narrative of surveillance or voyeurism.
An inverted photograph of a model in a dramatic, textured blue dress. This simple act of flipping the image creates a surreal, gravity-defying effect that is both disorienting and visually captivating.
A full-length ethereal portrait from the 'Whispering Veil' series, using green light and motion blur. The model appears as a ghostly figure in a flowing white garment, creating a sense of otherworldly beauty.
Another fisheye portrait from the 'Peek-a-boo' series, where the model holds a textured black bag. The distorted perspective and direct gaze create an intimate and slightly unnerving connection with the viewer.
A close-up detail shot from the 'Peek-a-boo' series, focusing on the model holding a vintage camera. The image plays with the idea of the photographer becoming the subject, wrapped in a moody, noir aesthetic.
A full-body shot in a dark, industrial-looking setting, with the model holding a camera. The use of shadow and the gritty environment contribute to the cinematic, mysterious narrative of the series.
About this collection
When I approach an experimental shoot, I am not just capturing a subject, I am constructing a mood. Whether we use fisheye lenses to distort reality or deliberate motion blur to evoke unease, every technical choice serves a narrative purpose. It is a process that requires total trust between the model, the stylist, and myself. If you are looking for standard, safe imagery, this is not the right fit. But if you want to push boundaries and build a world that feels slightly surreal and entirely your own, we should talk.
Pushing the Boundaries of Fashion Imagery
Photography is my medium for dissecting reality. In my avant-garde work, I abandon the expectation of 'pretty' in favor of 'impactful.' This cluster represents my collaboration with creative minds, often working with students and designers at FAD International to experiment with visual tropes.
The Techniques Behind the Surreal
- Fisheye Distortion: I use wide-angle perspectives to create a sense of voyeurism and intimacy, making the viewer feel like they are peeking into a private, sometimes unsettling world.
- Intentional Motion Blur: By introducing movement, I strip away the static nature of standard fashion shoots, giving the images a painterly, transient quality that mirrors human emotion.
- Chiaroscuro & Shadow: I prefer working with deep, harsh shadows. Light is a sculptor, and I use it to emphasize silhouettes and texture rather than just illuminating the garment.
A Collaborative Narrative
Every project here relies on a squad. A successful experimental shoot is never a solo act. It is about how the makeup artist’s bold color palette reacts to the set design, or how the stylist’s choice of textures interacts with my lighting setup. When I work on editorials or brand campaigns, I view the subject—the model—as the soul of the narrative. We are not just showcasing clothing; we are commenting on the intersection of media, identity, and human feeling.
If you have a concept that feels too bold or 'too much' for standard catalogs, that is exactly where my work begins. I am interested in narratives that challenge the viewer.
Malavika Jayaram
I am Malavika, a photographer splitting my time between Mumbai and Kochi. I look at fashion as art, focusing on conceptual narratives rather than standard poses. I thrive on collaborating with creative teams to bring surreal ideas to life, whether through dramatic lighting, 35mm film, or fisheye distortion.
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