From filmmaking to photographing AR Rahman, Simpsons’ Mat Groening and Sunil Chhetri, why Nimish Jain believes every picture has a story to tell

For Nimish Jain, the joy of photography hasn’t been about capturing the likes of the famed footballer Sunil Chhetri, or the musical maestro AR Rahman or the creator of Simpsons - Mat Groening. “For me, the validation is always the appreciation of my work, not the money or the fame,” says Nimish. 

Photography, he says has the power to tell a story, and if someone can read that story in a picture, it is success enough. Even now, during the pandemic, while work may be limited, Nimish has been uploading some of his work on Instagram, and Facebook and these have been garnering a lot of attention. For Nimish the story behind each photograph matters. 

The son of the famed astrophysicist, SK Jain, Nimish’s love for photography came from his father, who would always bring back great pictures from his travels across the world. 

“He had a big SLR camera that he would carry everywhere with him, and I would be fascinated by the camera. When I lost him to cancer when I was in Class 5, his camera came to me. I would click as many pictures I could of people, places, and locations. My elder brother and mother encouraged and supported me,” recollects Nimish. 

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From filmmaking to photography 

However, 15 years ago, photography was more expensive than what it is today. Nimish says he would get limited stock of film reels and could carry his camera around with him during his school days. Later, when he joined Christ College, Bengaluru he was introduced to the world of filmmaking. 

“I worked as a part-time filmmaker during my college days, and I was featured in India Today in 2005. However, that was the year that I decided to give up filmmaking and switch to photography,” says Nimish.

While filmmaking definitely had more money as compared to photography, Nimish says photography gave him the creative freedom and opportunity to tell a story as honestly as possible. 

“But the switch wasn’t easy. Photography just doesn’t pay well but I focused on people, travel, documentary photography and fashion photographs. I would try and do every gig and project I got, events, places, people, and anything that I could take pictures of,” says Nimish. 

A support system 

He says what helped him during his time of struggle and finding every odd gig, his mother was his support. Nimish adds until she passed away, his mother had always encouraged him into his passion and journey for photography. 

“I wasn’t academically inclined, and my mother understood and supported that. She broke into her savings and fixed deposits to get me my first camera so that I could pursue my passion and convert it into a career. She was happy with what I did, it didn’t matter to her that I wasn’t working for an MNC, or that I was spending odd hours and struggling to get a gig. She was happy because I was happy doing what I wanted to do,” says Nimish. 

He adds, “The journey of photography and that too, with no backing or support, can be very tough and lonely. I always had that support in my mother and elder brother.” 

As his mother was supporting him, Nimish always made sure that he would get a project that helped him earn some money or make up some of the money that had already been spent on him. 

"I have always been a hustler. I put myself out there and was always honest with my clients and even now I go the extra mile to save them money,” says Nimish. 

While he adds that it may not be commercially viable to tell a client that they are spending too much, Nimish lives by his mother’s teachings of always being honest and holding on to integrity. 

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The journey of ups and downs 

It was during this time he also worked with several friends and spread the word about his work. Since he was also into cricket, through his cricketing friends he was soon introduced to cricketers Robin Uthappa and Irfan Pathan and was able to take their pictures.

He also was photographing for a magazine in Bengaluru, that one day gave him the opportunity to photograph AR Rahman and other celebrities. But it was his interest in sports that got him connected to Sunil Chhetri, the footballer. 

“The journey of a photographer always has its ups and downs. There are months on end where you don’t get paid and then months where you get paid a lot. As a career, photography demands a lot of patience, and you need to be smart about where you spend and save your money,” says Nimish. 

He adds most of his money is spent on experiences when he travels to places, he hasn’t been before, or where no other photographer has been before. 

For the love of photography 

Travel helps him with his craft, as his travels give him the background to build a story and tale which is different from all others. Even with his fashion or portrait pictures, Nimish looks for a story that can merge two different worlds. 

“Each day is a struggle for a photographer in India, and though social media and reach is improving, photography still isn’t considered a serious at form.,” says Nimish. 

Advising all photographers, Nimish explains it is important to be professional and practical.

“Photography can happen only when you fall in love with the subject and don’t do it for the glamour or fame,” says Nimish. 

(Images credit: Nimish Jain)