Portraits of India
After spending three years between Paris and Warsaw in the fashion industry, I returned to India with no fixed ideas for my photography. Looking back, it’s no surprise that people became my focus. At the time, digital photography was in its infancy, and my camera attracted attention - people actively asked for their portraits. I carried a Polaroid camera, gifting images to those who had often never owned a photograph of themselves. This simple exchange built trust, joy, and connection, forming the foundation of my approach to portraiture.
I was always slow and cautious when asking for a portrait, aware of the long Western tradition of travel photography that has historically shaped narratives of the "exotic" and reinforced colonial-era perceptions. I often returned to the same places, sitting with people, allowing time for familiarity and trust to grow before ever taking a photograph. With the rise of digital photography, I found that intimacy and friendship became even more essential in creating meaningful portraits. Relationships deepened the process, transforming photography from mere observation into an act of mutual understanding. This emphasis on storytelling has shaped my approach to portraiture and photography as a whole, prioritising human connection over simple documentation. - Sebastien