Vickky Idnaani is a young gun from Bombay who started pursuing photography after contemplating fields like interior design and hotel management. He studied at the JJ School of Arts and loves his mum, Rekha and photography!

What were you doing before you joined the JJ School of Arts? What brought about the change of stream?
I was studying for my graduation in science at Jai Hind College. I had joined the science course thinking that I would later shift to hotel management or something. But I later realised that it was a very time-consuming course and left me no time to do other things. Six months into the course I wanted to change my stream.

I applied to the JJ school of arts for interior designing and photography. I did not make it through the entrance exam for Interior Designing, which I was sort of expecting, but I failed my interview round for photography after clearing the entrance. This came as a shock to me because I have no problem talking to people and my interaction skills are good. Since I was so bent on doing photography, I tracked down the H.O.D. and told him very confidently that photography was my calling and I saw myself doing photography for the rest of my life. He did not budge but after a few repeated meetings he was convinced. He approved my application and asked me to pay the fees the next day.

How important is technical knowledge?
I think it is of utmost importance. You definitely need to have a sound knowledge of the basics. When I started studying photography, technical knowledge had a lot to do with processing and developing the film so that was obviously essential.

Along with technical knowledge, I think it is important to work under someone before you set up your own business. Especially in a career like photography, being under a professional for a while helps you pick up the tricks of the trade faster. I unfortunately did not get to work under a professional before I set out on my path. I took quite a long time to understand the tricks of the trade but I have thankfully developed my own style of doing business and I have managed to rediscover myself.

When did you get your first big break and what did you learn from the experience?
My first assignment was to shoot Madhuri Dixit for M.F. Hussain’s “Gaj Gamini”. It was a fun experience but the one assignment which allowed me to exercise my creativity the most was when I did a ten-page celebrity photo feature for Stardust magazine. Sonali Jaffar was the editor then and she gave me a free hand in how I wanted to do the shoot as well as who I wanted to shoot. I was very happy with this freedom. I picked up actors and actresses that were the fresh faces of B-town then. I shot with Fardeen Khan, Ayesha Dharker, Rinkie Khanna, Amisha Patel, Chandrachur Singh, Madhuri Dixit and the likes.

My idea for the shoot was very clear. I was looking for a character in the face I was shooting. I am a creative photographer and I like to style my own shoots. I managed to bring together a jumble of artists who had performed very different roles including Fardeen Khan, who was, and still is, one of the most handsome men in the industry, Ayesha Dharker, who had just done a very dark role and Amisha Patel, who has a very sweet face. I wanted each photo to be distinct from the others; each one telling a different story.

You have been called one of the hottest young photographers – how does it feel to be rich and famous at such a young age?
Humbled and happy. I know that it is a momentary joy but it’s to be enjoyed. I have undoubtedly worked very hard to be where I am today. But photography for me is a 24/7 passion.

Does it have its advantages and disadvantages?
The advantages, if not many, are that I have matured as a photographer and as a person. In the end it all depends on how you balance yourself. The disadvantages are that I was consumed by the energy that I felt for photography. Nothing else beyond my work mattered to me and in the process I might have neglected certain things. But now I am trying to make up for lost time.

To date, work remains a priority for me but I now consciously try to balance work and social life. I still get an adrenaline rush before any assignment.  

Just this year you launched your own photo studio. What are your thoughts on it?
I feel absolutely fabulous about having my own studio. I was in a rented place for the longest time but I always wanted a place of my own. My new studio was inaugurated on the 9th of January which is also my mother’s birthday. The studio is called ‘Kkosh’ meaning collection – a name which is also partly derived from my mother’s name, Kaushalya. The studio was inaugurated at the hands of Rekha and my mother. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to inaugurate my studio but her. I think she likes my work as well.

What catches your eye while shooting?
It depends on the client, the purpose of the photo and the model’s personality. After I have considered these three aspects, I begin work on styling the shoot because I always prefer styling my shoots on my own. Then I start working on my own concept for the shoot. So what catches my eye or what I am looking for in a shoot changes on every occasion. I am always looking to do something innovative in every shoot.

I also think that it is very important to know the target audiences. For example, I recently wrapped up a shoot for Westside. The aim of the campaign was to target the college-going crowds and so I designed my shoot accordingly. I think what I do in the shoot also depends on how accepting the client is of my creativity.

Which photographers do you look up to?
Suresh Natarajan and photojournalists Henri Cartier-Bresson and Herb Ritts.

Have you held exhibitions of your work? What are your plans for future exhibitions?
Yes, I have held one exhibition of my work. I launched a calendar in 2004 and along with the launch I organised an exhibition of my work. My calendar was unveiled and inaugurated by Mahima Choudhary and Hrithik Roshan with a foreword by Namrata Shirodkar.

I certainly have plans for future exhibitions. I have worked on various things lately that have caught my interest. I am a big fan of Sanjay Leela Bhansali and I loved his recent film ‘Saawariya’ that had a lovely underwater city look, as though it were a part of Venice. It had an authentic Indian-Islamic look in my view.

If I had to decide quickly on what the theme for my next exhibition would be, I would say it would have to be something grand, like ‘Havelis’ or countryside mansions.

Which awards and accolades have you received?
I received the Young Achiever’s Award from K.C. College where I pursued my BA while I was studying photography in J.J. School of Arts. I have also been felicitated by the Sadhu Vaswani Trust as a Young Achiever.

Have you had any interesting experiences during shoots that you would like to share with us?
One interesting thing that I would like to share with you is something that happens to me on most shoots. There are days when I start work in the morning and I realise at the end of the day that I have not eaten anything the entire day! This goes out as a message to all my amateur photographer friends that it is most important that they take care of their health and eat well. I have started to do that now; I try and make sure that I don’t skip meals. When I am at home I will be found in front of the refrigerator every five minutes (laughs).

Another really funny and fun experience was when the 26/7 rains hit Mumbai. I had a Bridal Campaign shoot lined up for the next day and we had nearly come to terms with the fact that we would have to call off the shoot considering the entire city was waterlogged. When I spoke to the client, Nisha Merchant, she said she was keen on doing the shoot and I, being myself, was obviously ready to do the shoot. After the call I got in touch with the model and she said she was game too. The model and I lived near the studio. The make-up artist also said yes without having to think twice. Our only problem then was that our hairstylist was caught in the rains so we hired another hairstylist and got on with the shoot.

As a gesture of thanks and appreciation for our enthusiasm, Nisha bought a bottle of wine for all of us. After two or three shots she suggested we open the wine to celebrate. We all had a glass. I don’t know why but the one glass that I had hit me so bad that I could not see what I was shooting for the next three shots! We were all happy and high. I guess it was the happiness of having accomplished this task that made us high rather than the wine itself! (laughs). I still managed to take good shots and the campaign went well.

I would not normally have allowed anyone to drink on a shoot but the fact was that all of us were proud of each other. Nisha Merchant has been a dear friend since.

What camera are you using currently?
I am using a Canon 5D.

What are your thoughts on printing in photography?
It is a digital world today and printing is not such a hassle anymore. I have a lot of knowledge on processing photos which is useless now. The new technology is so user-friendly and facilitates work better.

Vickky Idnaani's Website | Photos by Vickky Idnaani | Fotosocial