Parav Sahni has been dedicated to the lens for over a decade. He has been an Outdoor finalist at the Cannes Festival in 2006 and has also made corporate films for several of his clients. We chat him up to get a snapshot of his life as a photographer.

What made you first pick up the camera?

Curiosity - plain and simple curiosity.

How did you work towards being a professional photographer?

Funnily enough, my first choice of profession was to be an Army man. I used to be in the Merchant Navy, but eventually, my passion for pictures won. I quit the Merchant Navy in 1999 and took up photography as a passion and a profession.

If you were not a photographer, what would you choose to be?

I'd probably be a musician!

What are some of your most memorable shoots?

I've had a lot of interesting shoots over the years but it's my early days as a photographer that I remember most clearly. One such memorable shoot was a fundraising exhibition of portraits of children for an NGO called Prayas, one of my first projects. Another was a six page lingerie shoot, my first fashion feature in a magazine; it was a very exciting point in my career for me.

How would you describe your photography style?

Professionally speaking, I love shooting lifestyle images andpPortraiture. I'm also partial to abstracts and fine art photography. But personally, I really enjoy capturing the spirit of life on film, while travelling. My style is very real, very to-the-point, while still evoking some feeling when viewed. I'm not a fan of flowery, decorative photography. I am also very focused on the comfort of my subjects. They need to feel relaxed and confident enough to forget that I'm even there. It's a challenge but it is the only way I can get what I want out of the shoot.

What advice would you give to aspiring photographers?

In my experience, shortcuts never work. It is safest to begin with imitation of the greats. This will help you develop your own style soon after. So be patient and discover your own style in your own time.