Bangalore-based photographer Akhil Khatri graduated in MBA (Human Resource and Operation Management) from Alliance Business School in 2010. He then worked as an HR professional for Deloitte, Hyderabad, for two years before committing himself full-time to his passion in January.
Khatri’s foray into photography began by clicking pictures with his friend’s mobile phone in school and college. “I thought many of the photographs I took then were stupid,” confesses Khatri. “Until a lady from USA asked if I would be interested in publishing some of my photos in her online magazine. In May 2011, the love of my life gave me my first DSLR — a Nikon D3100 — after which there was no looking back. My interest had become my passion and my passion became my work.”
He now operates in Bangalore as a wedding, event, product and fashion photographer. For weddings, he charges Rs 10-25,000 per day and portfolios would cost Rs 6-15,000. His business purely expanded by word of mouth, through a Facebook page, and a website (www.akhilkhatri.com). “The only person who supported me and still supports me is my wife. My parents and relatives thought this was unsafe as a profession. They all told me not to do anything foolish and asked me to remain in HR and limit photography to a hobby,” says Akhil.
— aswatianand@gmail.com