A Storyteller Capturing Stories Through 50MM Lens – Sonali Devnani

Type of Art FormPortrait Photographer

Photographs Featured :
1)Innocent duo
2)Unexpected coincidence

Art Form In General:

Portraits or Portraiture is aimed towards capturing the emotion and expression of the subject. It catches the essence of the person being photographed and is always shot to signify moods and personality of the subject. It requires proper skills and mindset to capture just the desired outcome. This comes with a lot of practice and understanding of human emotions. Lots of experience on the field will help one bring out quintessential result. 

Stories Cinematised Through Camera: 

Sonali is a travel photographer or as she prefers is a storyteller. She believes that if you wish to understand a place you need to understand the people who belong from there. It requires a lot of interactions and spending quality time with the localities to get an immaculate view of the region as a whole. As Sonali quotes, expressions and emotions have stories to tell which words ever would be able to. She always tries to convey this through her photographs by capturing the veracious emotions one has to offer.

Photography to Sonali is soul seeking. She reckons that photographers have a different view of the world, they have a keen eye to look for the perfect moment to treasure in their devices. Sonali’s favourite subjects are the old people because they have much to express. The wrinkles on their face are evident of stories they have lived and struggles they have endured.

Two of the photographs displayed here talk about 2 different tales:
1)  The innocent duo
This image is a reflection of a child’s vulnerability and innocence. These two kids belong from Cambodia. Sonali met them when she was distributing candies in the neighbourhood and her eyes fell upon them. Since no one was at home both of them were locked and they were peeping out of the window and were crying because they wanted candies too. Sonali felt overwhelmed and captured the picture as she wanted to cherish it forever. It was a lifetime feeling for her.

2)The unexpected coincidence
This photograph was shot in Chhattisgarh, while our storyteller was wandering in a distant village. She witnessed a small abode with a grandmother sitting there randomly and as their eyes met the old lady started crying profusely. When confronted she said that her granddaughter who was of the same age as Sonali passed away sometime and seeing her reminded her of the child. Sonali was brimming with tears and was moved by the rawness of emotion, that lady showed. She captured her there and then and till date her heart floods with tears thinking of the incident.

Behind The Scenes: 

Capturing portraits is not that easy. It asks for a lot of dedication and correct mood to get the desired picture. As Sonali describes, she strikes a good conversation before taking a picture. She needs to create a comfortable atmosphere to shoot. The appropriate moment is to be made before clicking any photograph. She also asks various thought provoking questions and life incidents to etch the required essence in the photo. Kindness and Empathy are prime elements to make the subject comfortable for you to get your outcome. .

Brief About The Traveller: 

Sonali Devnani is an avid traveller and a maestro storyteller. She embarked on her journey 7 years ago to reach where she is today. She loves exploring various cultures and ethnicities. It was just a hobby initially but later with hardwork and dedication it transformed into a full fledged profession. She has also held workshops to tutor upcoming budding photographers. Sonali also is a freelance journalist and independent documentary filmmaker. She directs her films on topics relating to social issues. One of her remarkable projects is a film on drug abuse among children which received good recognition and impacted the lives of many.

Credentials :

Sonali’s Documentary about drug abuse in children won a great recognition. Her work was awarded as the best documentary in the Chicago South Asian Film Festival 2019 which was indeed a prestigious feather in her hat of success. 

Learnings for Aspirants : 

Sonali firmly advocates for kindness and empathy. She elaborates by saying that a photographer should have ample amount of kindness and compassion to win in this field. He/she should treat their subjects with respect and it would do wonders to their work. She asks everyone to believe in themselves and to stay persistent. Proper hardwork and strong determination will help you conquer leaps and bounds suggests Sonali. And lastly she suggests to have a signature style and that’s how you’ll stay unique in your art.

PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON: Instagram(@Sonali_Devnani)