Visually Evocative Photoseries Capturing Identity & Human Emotions

Every photographer has a distinct visual grammar and aesthetic that distinguishes them. For some photographers on the Indian scene today, photography has become a way of self-expression as well as a means of making a larger social commentary. For many others, it is a way of playing around with the lens; finding narratives and avenues to tell the stories of their respective cultures and experiences.

At Homegrown, we love the diverse and democratic nature of photography that has emerged in the past few years and that’s why we’ve curated a collection of photoseries that caught our attention this week.

I. Chembarathi by Emmanuel Akash

Photographer Emmanuel Akash’s portraits have a sharp focus on the subject, carrying a sense of storytelling through the subjects’ expressions while staying true to the landscapes and atmosphere. For his latest photoseries, Chembarathi, he draws inspiration from the ordinary red hibiscus, treating it as a metaphor for blooming unnoticed.

Of the series, he says, “Red hibiscus with five heads is generally seen in every house in Kerala. Sometimes it feels like no one is really noticing that plant, even if it doesn’t get any attention or water is not poured, it will continue to spread and bloom like this.”

You can check out their work here.

II. Kuthiraivaal by Aishwarya Ashok

Chennai-based visual storyteller Aishwarya Ashok’s work encompasses an honest approach to shooting the subject, keeping the emotions and environmental factors as real as possible while staying true to her personal style. Her latest is the images she shot for the Tamil feature film Kuthiraivaal. The images capture the character of Van Gogh/Irusaayi played by Anjali Patil, who just like her name, represents duality.

Of the photo project, she says, “She is a paradox with her own journey in the movie. She is surreal, yet very real, and throws light and guides Freud in his journey. She is the catalyst that drives him and grounds him at the same time. She is who she is, but she is also a reflection of the feeling you carry inside of yourself from the movie.”

You can check out their work here.

III. Parchaayi by Vijayeeta Shah

Jaipur-based fashion stylist and art director Vijayeeta’s recent project was Parchaayi, which was a striking and powerful conceptual fashion shoot that blended in elements of the fine arts. An exploration of individuality, identity, and the female form — the photo project boldly depicts the two women’s personalities. Of the photoseries, she says, “We wanted to depict a relationship between two girls which stood individually strong but where their identity was intertwined with each other.”

You can check out their work here.

IV. Women and Power by Devika

Photographer, writer and dancer, Devika has always alternated between different mediums of art to express her perspectives and emotions. Along the way, in the process of experimentation, she fell in love with the idea of using the aesthetics of any place or space as means of inspiration, allowing her to explore and interpret it in as many ways as she can and allowing her to not conform to just one form of art.

The latest in her series of experimentations is the photoseries Women and Power which explores women and all the roles and space they take up, their poise and their love, and their friendships with other women.

Of the photoseries, Devika says, “When I speak of women, I mean to talk about the power. I speak of the multitudes of all these roles they take up; the elegance with which they commit. When I speak of women, I speak of love, compassion, poise, devotion, and every other word that may still fall short in front of what they do every day. They leave me in awe. They make me wonder and question, all at once. They are my love, they are the very essence of beauty and grace. ”

“The whole concept of this shoot revolves around the idea of capturing women in my life, in the rawest form,” she adds. “There is nothing more beautiful and intimate than the relationships they share with each other. There’s beauty and ease. Poise and compassion. At every stage and age of their life, they define love in their own way; gracefully.”

You can check out Devika’s work here.

If you enjoyed reading this article, we suggest you also read:

Decolonisation: A Photoseries Exploring Identity, Belonging, & Personal History

Miss Koovagam: An Indian Photoseries Highlighting The Beauty Of The Transgender Community

In Beauty & In Tenderness: Subverting The Conversation Around Masculinity