Acclaimed Dubai-based photographer, Satish Vadlamani, whose stunning and gorgeous captures have made him one of the most sought-after names in the industry, talks to Aakanksha Naval-Shetye about bringing out the beauty through his lens, his passion that turned him from an engineer to photographer and also shares his inspiring journey to being one of the best in business
An Instrumentation Engineer and Process Analyzers Expert in Oil and Gas, by profession, for Dubai-based Satish Vadlamani, photography is all about passion! And it’s a passion driven by seeing smiles on the faces of those he clicks and being able to see and capture beauty through his lens! One of the most sought after names in the modelling and photography industry, his shoot calendar’s booked back-to-back with models flocking to him from all over. From the top tennis players at ATP to some of the most glamorous and gorgeous models, from birds and landscapes, to sunrises and sunsets… his lenses have seen it all! But what sets him apart is that though a self-learned photographer and not trained professionally, his work draws models from across the globe, waiting to be clicked by him. Like he says, “Photography is not in the camera… it happens even before you click.”
Little wonder then, that for a lot of models, doing a shoot with him is one of the big draws to come to Dubai. And with his shoots making it to the Time Square hoardings, his popularity is on a constant rise! His USP however, lies in his skill to make his subjects fall in love with their own beauty and embrace their uniqueness. Building trust, comfort and confidence, professional models or first-timers, his lens brings out the best in them! And as we catch up with the acclaimed photographer for our exclusive interview, Satish tells us about his journey and his vision forward! Also cehck out some of his incredible works:
When did you first develop an interest in photography?
When I was pursuing engineering as a student, I was curious and fascinated with the ‘camera’ and the essence of how it captures moments and the tech part of it too! But back then I couldn’t afford professional cameras as such. Then in the late 90’s I got to travel to Japan – my first international travel – and from my first job I bought a reel-based Minolta camera. I explored both Japan and the camera to the fullest on that trip! That was my ‘first love’ with the camera and I still have it somewhere.
Being a self-taught photographer, what were the biggest challenges you faced in the early days especially while shooting with models and also equipment-wise?
So, photography is an expensive journey, whether as a hobby or professionally! The first DSLR camera I could afford to buy was a Nikon D60 that I bought in 2009, then in a few months after they released D90, I upgraded as there was some exchange scheme and I was surprised to see the massive difference between these two cameras.
I just started clicking, understanding lenses and that’s the best way to learn. ‘Passion is the Fuel of Life!’ I believe in this and this is what kept pushing me further in my passion for photography. I made mistakes, learnt from them and kept going on.
I kept adding to the equipment. Back then I was shooting a lot of Tennis matches in Dubai during 2011 – 2016… the ATP 500, so I was in the stands and shooting these LIVE matches being played by top tennis stars and I personally follow tennis too. So, during this process, day by day, I learnt the various options, features, light, settings, exposure, in the camera. I shot thousands of shots across five years and honed my talent, constantly working on my craft. If someone teaches you, you will only be able to learn a minimum, but if you teach yourself then you will remember it life-long!
As for model photography, that was never my agenda. In fact I didn’t want to get into it as it’s more about people, emotions, moods, styles, makeup, dresses, etc… it’s an Ocean! I was more into sports, bird photography and landscapes.
But I believe that you never know your destiny! In 2020, during the Covid year, everything literally came to a standstill! Later, I would be up at 4 am venturing into deserts, capturing sunrise, birds, landscapes and then I would head to Starbucks for my regular coffee. Once a girl approached me on seeing the camera and lenses, and insisted on seeing my work. She just refused to believe that I was not a professional photographer and that this was just a passion and a hobby. She asked if I could shoot her and was adamant even though I absolutely refused.
But she was so persistent that I finally gave in and agreed, but on the condition that she would accept whatever the result. So, we did a shoot and the result was an eye-opener! She was so amazed and happy and I still remember the joy on her face as she told me, ‘I look more beautiful in your camera!’
She shared the pics with her friends, one of whom was part of the Emirates cabin crew and then she approached me and soon others started approaching me for shoots. During the first two years of Covid, I was probably the only photographer in Dubai shooting consistently and literally for every single day!
“There are no shortcuts and the best way to learn is to never stop learning on your own. Don’t hesitate to try and fail. You have to invest time and be at it.”
Your work has been featured on Times Square hoardings. What was your reaction when you first saw it there?
Yes, this was one of the biggest surprises in my journey! I remember I had shot with a Polish model and one day she messaged me with the shot I did and my name written in capitals on a hoarding display! At first I thought it was some prank, but then the media company who displayed the shot at Times Square also wrote to me! I was so pleasantly surprised!
How do you balance your professional career as an engineer alongside your photography?
This is actually the toughest part! What one sees are these beautiful shots and images, but the how of it is definitely challenging, especially with me being responsible for the sales for eight countries as part of my full time job that I do from Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm! And then to pursue this passion for photography… It does require a lot of sacrifice, waking up regularly at 4.30 am even on work-days to do sunrise shoots before the start of the working day and then doing sunset shoots after 5 pm, it does get hectic. There have been multiple months over the past six years that I even did 40-50 shoots a month, while working full time.
My engineering / technical sales career has definitely influenced me to some extent like the ability to learn, adapt, patience, approach to people, maintaining the PR, connecting, understanding and reading their body language, delivering result on time… and on top of it all, be nice and be kind!
“A lot of women are forever comparing their own beauty with certain standards and trying to live up to a certain look or body type… I always tell them that in a garden there are different types of flowers, and every flower is unique. Each one blooms independently regardless of anyone else noticing, comparing or competing what the next flower looks like. And just like that, every person – model or not – is unique too and through my lens I just try to show them the beauty they hold.”
How did you develop your photographic aesthetic, and what advice would you give to aspiring photographers trying to find their unique style?
Every one is different and unique. When I started model photography, I learnt with practice, identifying angles, finding the beauty in every frame, and shooting what appealed to me aesthetically and from a different perspective, through my own lens. Like I prefer keeping things natural, use natural light predominantly. It was trial and error for me too, and I started with small steps, but I did not stop even if I made mistakes. And here I am, happy with my steps. So, there is no comparison or competition.
As for aspiring photographers, all I would say is, don’t try to imitate someone else’s style. Find your own and invest time in discovering yourself and bettering your own craft.
Any top tips for those who are passionate about photography, but feel limited by a lack of formal training?
Well, I am not a master or a tutor and I myself learn every single day. But out of experience I would say that you should find your niche!
Use natural light, play with the camera and know the gear. You need to know the technology and know how it can help and enhance your work. Don’t be in the comfort zone and never stop learning. Be aware of upgrades, technology, tips and do’s and dont’s! Don’t copy, don’t compare, be on your own and find your creativity.
Also know that there are no shortcuts and in my experience, like I said, the best way to learn is to never stop learning on your own. Don’t hesitate to try and fail. You have to invest time and be at it.
“Creative intuition is very important as it speaks more about the experience and confidence, while technical know-how will let you acquire that vision. And one has to look at things differently. Photography is not in the camera, it’s even before the click happens!”
How do you balance technical expertise with creative intuition? Is one more important than the other?
Both of them are very different ends of the same spectrum. Intuition is very important as it speaks more about the experience and confidence, and one has to look at things differently. Photography is not in the camera, it’s even before the click happens!
Model photography needs a lot of interpersonal skills especially in making the subject feel relaxed and comfortable. That can be challenging if they are not professional models. So how do you break that ice and manage to capture the best and bring out their most beautiful aspect of their looks on camera!
This is a good question and you are right because not everyone who I shoot with are professional models. A lot of them have probably just seen their friend’s profile shoots that I did and have approached me to make them look as beautiful, but are not so confident about themselves and their beauty or body. Most have never faced professional cameras. So the first thing I try to do is help them feel comfortable and confident. I often pick them on the way to shoot so it gives us time to break the ice and talk, through which I sort of gauge and help them overcome their inhibitions and under-confidence. Once at the shoot location I help them with posing, angles, and I have observed that once they find that comfort with you, they are more relaxed and it’s easier to find that beauty in their most natural personalities!
Also since they are forever comparing their own beauty with certain standards and trying to live up to a certain look or body type… I always tell them that in a garden there are different types of flowers, and every flower is unique. Each one blooms independently regardless of anyone else noticing, comparing, competing what the next flower looks like. And just like that, every person – model or not – is unique too. And this applies to every individual across.
I believe that everyone is beautiful, and I feel blessed that many feel I introduce them to their own beauty through my lens! So you have to build that confidence, help them be at ease, make them believe in their beauty and that’s the game-changer!
Dubai offers a visually stunning environment. What challenges and opportunities does shooting here present as compared to other places?
Visually yes… as it has excellent natural light, deserts, beaches, amazing sunrise and sunset hours, clean skies etc. Although practically there are many restrictions to shoot as per the local rules and regulations. It’s next to impossible to shoot at any iconic locations as one needs special permissions and approvals. But one has to make the most out of what it offers!
What are your upcoming or aspiring projects and how do you see your journey evolving in the next few years?
My dream and objective is to be a full-time photographer. I want to be known as a “good photographer” and “a good human being.”