Saurabh Vishwakara: Cameras Capture Scenes, But Photographers Capture Feelings [Photographer, 268K Followers, India]

Saurabh Vishwakara Interview

From representing his university as a national-level cricketer to becoming one of India's leading travel and culture photographers, Saurabh Vishwakarma has built a remarkable journey driven by passion, resilience, and storytelling. In this conversation with Eat My News, he reflects on leaving cricket behind, documenting the soul of Banaras, and why emotion will always matter more than equipment.

Q. For readers discovering your work for the first time, how would you describe your journey from a photography enthusiast to one of India's leading travel and culture photographers?

My journey has been built on passion, discipline, and the courage to start over. Before photography, I was a professional cricketer and represented my university at the national level. Becoming an All India Gold Medalist at the 2020 AIU Championship taught me resilience, patience, and consistency.

When the COVID-19 lockdown arrived, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life, to leave cricket and pursue photography full-time. What began as a passion quickly became my purpose. Since then, I have dedicated myself to documenting India's culture, traditions, and everyday life through visual storytelling.

Over the years, my work has taken me across the country, collaborating with tourism boards and leading brands. Being featured by National Geographic has been one of the most meaningful milestones in my journey. Every photograph I create is driven by a simple goal—to tell stories that preserve culture and evoke emotion.

Q. Banaras is more than just a city in your photographs, it almost feels like a character. What keeps inspiring you to tell its stories through your lens?

Banaras is not just my hometown, it is my greatest inspiration. Every sunrise on the ghats, every narrow lane, every festival, and every conversation carries a story worth preserving.

Even after photographing the city for years, it never feels repetitive. Every day offers a fresh perspective, a different emotion, or an unexpected moment. Banaras reminds me that photography isn't just about beautiful images, it's about preserving history, culture, and human emotions before they become memories.

Q. As someone who has travelled extensively, what's one place that surprised you the most and completely changed your perspective as a photographer?

Spiti surprised me the most. While I expected breathtaking landscapes, what truly changed me were the people and the silence of the mountains.

That experience taught me that powerful photographs don't always require dramatic scenery, they require honesty and emotion. It encouraged me to slow down, observe more carefully, and let stories unfold naturally instead of chasing photographs.

Q. Your photographs beautifully capture emotion and atmosphere. When you're behind the camera, what do you look for before pressing the shutter?

The first thing I look for is emotion. Composition, lighting, and camera settings are important, but they always come after the story.

I wait for genuine expressions, meaningful interactions, or those fleeting moments when everything naturally comes together. If an image can make someone pause, feel something, or connect with the subject, then I know it's worth capturing.

Q. In an era where everyone carries a camera in their pocket, what do you think truly sets a memorable photograph apart from just a good picture?

Today almost everyone has access to a good camera, but what makes a photograph memorable isn't the equipment, it's the vision behind it.

A memorable photograph tells a story, evokes emotion, and stays with the viewer long after they've seen it. Cameras capture scenes, but photographers capture feelings. That's the difference between a good picture and a timeless photograph.

Q. If you could spend a day photographing alongside any legendary photographer, past or present, who would you choose, and what would you hope to learn from them?

At the moment, there are two photographers whose work I deeply admire, Arun Kumar Nalimela and Shivaji Dhute. I genuinely believe the world will soon recognize them as legendary photographers.

What inspires me isn't just the quality of their images, but their dedication, consistency, and relentless pursuit of excellence. I'd love to understand their creative process, how they approach storytelling, and the discipline that allows them to consistently create extraordinary work.

Bio:

Saurabh Vishwakarma is a travel, culture, and documentary photographer based in Varanasi, India. A former professional cricketer and All India Gold Medalist at the 2020 AIU Championship, he transitioned to photography full-time in 2020, turning his passion for visual storytelling into a successful career.

Known for documenting India's rich heritage, traditions, and everyday life, Saurabh's work focuses on authenticity, human emotion, and cultural preservation. His photographs have been featured by National Geographic, and he has collaborated with tourism boards and leading brands across the country. Through every frame, he strives to preserve stories that inspire curiosity and leave a lasting emotional impact.


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Interviewed by – Niyati Gupta