For many of the people in this community, this was the first time they had ever seen a professionally printed photograph of themselves. What began as a portrait exhibition became a celebration of identity, dignity, and belonging—reminding us that being seen can be a powerful form of recognition.
Photography has always been more than creating beautiful images for me. It is about building connections and giving people the opportunity to see themselves with pride.
In one of Kolkata's informal settlements, I organised a portrait exhibition featuring the very people who call the community home. Children, parents, and elderly residents gathered to look at photographs of themselves displayed on the walls around them.
Many paused in disbelief. Some smiled quietly, others laughed, and a few stood silently, taking in a moment they had never experienced before. For several families, it was the first professionally printed portrait they had ever owned or seen.
The exhibition transformed familiar lanes into a shared gallery where everyday lives were celebrated instead of overlooked. Faces that often go unnoticed became the centre of attention, not because of hardship, but because of their humanity.
That day reminded me that photography is not only about preserving memories—it can also restore dignity, strengthen self-worth, and create a lasting sense of belonging.
Sometimes, the greatest impact of a photograph is not how many people see it, but how deeply it is felt by the person within the frame.
During my exhibition in a Kolkata slum, children and families saw their own printed portraits for the very first time. Their smiles, laughter, and quiet amazement reminded me that photography is more than creating images—it's about giving people the chance to see themselves, their dignity, and their stories.During my exhibition in a Kolkata slum, children and families saw their own printed portraits for the very first time. Their smiles, laughter, and quiet amazement reminded me that photography is more than creating images—it's about giving people the chance to see themselves, their dignity, and their stories.