With Kashmir story slowly losing its sheen at the international arena a number of professional photographers are looking for alternative source of livelihood. Shams Irfan reports the trend
Sitting in his modest office in Abi Guzar Lane, adjacent to buzzing Press Enclave in Srinagar, Fayaz Kabli, a former Reuters news photographer in conflict ridden Kashmir, is finally at peace with himself. It has been a year since he has left Reuters and started his own company – Kabli Foto, which is into wedding and event photography.
“I have had enough of conflict. It had drained me physically, emotionally and mentally,” says Kabli.
But the transition was not an easy one as marriages are altogether a different ball game. Kabli, who has been at the forefront of news photography in Kashmir wanted to experiment with his skills at the different level, thus marriage happened. “There are no takers of Kashmir conflict in international press anymore as Kashmir story has died down,” feels Kabli who left Reuters after a career of 17 years. “There is a focus on active conflict zones like Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, etc. So I preferred to call it a day and start something new,” says Kabli.
The moment he held camera to shoot pictures at the wedding, Kabli realized that wedding photography is no different from news photography – both keeps you on your toes all the time. “Only a news photographer can be a good marriage photographer. In both cases events happen so quickly that you don’t get second chance,” says Kabli.
Kabli believes that the real essence of wedding photography is that a cameraman should have an eye for fleeting moments that later on transform into lifelong memories. “A wedding is a lifetime event which cannot be repeated. So a photographer has to be alert all the time to capture those special moment that become part of albums,” feels Kabli.
In Kashmir hiring a professional photographer for wedding is probably the last thing on a bride or grooms mind. “People here are more concerned about the quality of food and other things. Photography is the last thing on their list of priorities,” says Kabli.
Javed Shah, a Kashmiri photographer working for Indian Express, also left his job to try his luck at wedding photography.
“After a certain point of career you realize that enough is enough. You cannot live with images of conflict pasted on your mind forever,” feels Bilal Bahadur, who works with Times of India and takes time off from his routine to capture other aspects of life. “I have captured a few wedding but that is not for money. It was of my close friends. It kind of rejuvenates me,” says Bahadur. “Rest I am all into conflict for now.”
For photographers like Kabli who have proved their mettle in news photography, the next logical step was to professionalise as well as educate the Kashmir market, which is still in its infancy. “People still are not ready to spend Rs 50 thousand on photography during a wedding as they don’t understand the importance of preserving memories. But hopefully things will change,” feels Kabli.
What pains Kabli is that some Kashmiris still prefer outsiders over local talent when it comes to covering high end wedding or getting ones portfolio made. “Some people here have a notion that locals are less talented when compared to outsider, but that is not the case. We have lived through the conflict and understand photography in a much better way,” says Kabli.
But for Afzal Sofi, a journalist working with Kashmir Reader, wedding photography is a form of art which earns you money as well.
Sofi has recently covered a wedding at Nigeen Club and hopes that he will get more such offers in future. “If I get a chance I will definitely do it again. It is fun.”
However for Kabli, who shot five weddings, five portfolios, a few corporate events and birthday parties in 2013, wedding photography is much more than fun. “We treat every wedding like wedding in our own family. It has to be professionally perfect.”
In order to make his Kabli Foto different from traditional wedding photographers, Kabli personally takes care of every single detail. “I make sure that bride and groom are actively involved throughout the wedding. Communication with them is important,” says Kabli.
But Haji Mohammad Maqbool, 40, who runs Choice Centre, one of the oldest photography studios in Srinagar, feels that competition is good as it will ultimately help the sector to grow. “The entry of professionals like Kabli is good for everyone associated with the business. It will only add quality to the profession,” feels Maqbool who claims to have shot around 90 weddings in 2013. Maqbool has a team of nine photographers who mostly cover corporate and private functions. “Things have completely changed in Kashmir as people know what they want from a photographer during a wedding. They are well informed about new technologies, so we have to stay updated,” says Maqbool.
With photography at the bottom of a family’s checklist during wedding the price asked by professionals to cover an event is sure to pinch the pocket, but Kabli is not worried. “We justify our price by providing high quality photo albums printed at Bangalore. The price includes exclusive photo-shoot of bride and groom,” says Kabli.
With a promising wedding season round the corner Kabli and his team of photographers are hopeful to sustain the change they have brought into the sector.
Kabli feels that a photographer should be allowed to apply his skills without interference so that he can give his best. “Trust your photographer and enjoy the wedding. A good photographer will make it memorable for you.”
