As a self-taught photographer, Abheet Gidwani started his career solely based on his passion for the craft, which he further polished after studying photography in Paris. Gidwani likes experimenting with his work and is constantly looking to try out different styles of photography. For him, photography is an intimate process where you don’t just capture the muse but also get a glimpse into their soul. Having photographed celebrities like, Ranveer Singh, Katrina Kaif, Farhan Akhtar and Rani Mukherjee for magazine editorials and brand campaigns, Gidwani manages to create a unique camaraderie between the actors and the camera. Apart from high fashion and beauty shoots, Abheet has also shot posters and campaigns for popular Bollywood films. In a conversation with The Peacock Magazine, the photographer talked about his recent series on Transgender performers, the one thing he loves and hates about his job and the celebrity he wants to capture next.
1) HOW WOULD YOU DISTINGUISH YOURSELF/ YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE FROM OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE COUNTRY?
“I feel a person is constantly evolving, therefore, my style keeps changing. Every photographer is unique. As we all are in essence looking at the same thing but interpreting it in our own way.”
2) HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH CELEBRITIES WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN PHOTOGRAPHED BY VARIOUS PHOTOGRAPHERS IN VARIOUS DIFFERENT WAYS?
“A portrait taken is also a reflection of the photographer so my different would the way I feel at that moment.”
3) TELL US ABOUT A SHOOT THAT ABSOLUTELY DID NOT GO AS PLANNED/ WENT ABSOLUTELY HAYWIRE!
“Well, Improvisation is the name of the game nothing goes bad it all sums up.”
4) WHAT ACCORDING TO YOU HAS BEEN YOUR BEST WORK?
“I feel my best work was during my days in Paris at photography school. I had the freedom to experiment. The vision was entirely my own and I could play with the content.”
5) IS THERE SOMETHING YOU REALLY WANTED TO DO BUT STILL HAVEN’T GOTTEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO?
“The list is endless. Photographers are creating till their bodies give way!”
6) WHO DID YOU LOVE WORKING WITH THE MOST?
“When someone allows you to shoot them they’re allowing you to take a glimpse at their soul. It’s intimate at a level. People are vulnerable in front of a camera. So it’s important for them to have some level of trust and comfort with you and vice versa.
(I am currently composing a series on Tran’s performers. These people are artists, every time I shoot someone new my mind is blown by their creativity – without hair and makeup budgets they transform like magic. I would say those are my favourite shoots).”
7) WHO ACCORDING TO YOU IS THE MOST PHOTOGENIC PERSON YOU HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED? / WHO WOULD YOU LOVE TO PHOTOGRAPH AND STILL HAVEN’T GOTTEN THE CHANCE TO?
“Most photogenic would be a Trans performer called Zeeshan”
8) WHO WOULD I LOVE TO PHOTOGRAPH-?
“Alia Bhatt”
9) WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHING STYLE OF ALL TIMES?
“Light painting ”
10) IF NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
“A chef!”
11) WHICH IS THE MOST PICTURESQUE LOCATION IN THE WORLD?
“India ”
12) WHERE DO YOU SEEK INSPIRATION FROM?
“From everywhere, I keep searching ”
13) ONE THING YOU LOVE AND ONE THING YOU HATE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“Love that it doesn’t feel like a job
Hate when I am not on that job ”
14) YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WORLD?
“All of Europe”
15) THE WORD/PHRASE YOU USE THE MOST?
“Easy and open ”
16) WHICH PICTURE WAS TAKEN BY YOU “SAYS A THOUSAND WORDS”?
“The picture I took at the racecourse in Paris, it is my favourite”