Early Frames: A Love Affair with the StreetsSome journeys begin with a map. Others, with a camera. For Sayanava, it all started in 2014, wandering through the vibrant, welcoming streets of Kolkata. Armed with a modest APS-C camera and a head full of curiosity, he immersed himself in street and landscape photography, where everyday scenes became layered stories waiting to be told.It wasn't gear that defined his start; it was grit. "I didn't have the money for high-end equipment," he recalls. But a street photography workshop, a gifted wide-angle lens from his mentor, and the charm of Kolkata's alleys lit a spark that's never gone out.
"I didn't have the money for high-end equipment, but I had grit and that was enough to begin."
From Passion to Profession
The world began to notice being featured in National Geographic in 2014. By 2016, he was stacking national awards from the likes of Amazon India, Canon India, Godox India, and Nikon India. In 2024, he became a three-time national winner in landscape photography, an achievement that cemented his status as one of India's most versatile creatives.
Today, he wears many hats: Nikon Explorer, wedding photographer, travel storyteller, and budding cinematographer collaborating on feature films while managing a full-fledged photography team in Kolkata.
Defining Moments
Some milestones leave a permanent mark. For Sayanava, being featured in National Geographic was one such turning point. "Legendary street photographers congratulated me, which meant the world to him.
Another unforgettable moment came in Mumbai, when he was named Capturing WOW's Wedding Photographer of the Year. Shy and quietly seated in the audience, he didn't expect to hear his name. But when he did, it became one of his proudest memories.
Art as Poetry
Emotions, wide-angle, layered compositions. That's how he describes his style: a perfect reflection of his inner world. Beyond the camera, he's a poet, a reader of Bengali literature, and a writer of short films, articles, and even a book published at the International Book Fair in 2024.His photographs don't just capture light, they capture feeling. They're visual poems that speak to the quiet observer, the dreamer, the wanderer.
The Personal Fuel Behind the Art
In 2023, life dealt two devastating blows: the passing of his uncle and, shortly after, his mother." Every day, I feel they're still watching me, congratulating me. I want to make them proud". That loss transformed his drive into something deeply personal, a mission to create work that would honour their memory.
The WOW Moment
Winning the Capturing WOW Award wasn't just about the trophy; it was a symbol of resilience, artistry, and staying true to his vision. His award-winning wedding photograph is a perfect encapsulation of his style: emotionally rich, technically masterful, and deeply human.
Looking Ahead
The future for Sayanava is cinematic, quite literally. He's building a cinematography team in Kolkata, working as a Director of Photography on feature films, and dreaming of telling stories that matter. I don't just want commercial success. I want to create work that earns my family's name the kind of respect my grandfather once had.
His Creative Mantra
"Don't make winning awards your destination. Make them pivot points. Winning is not the end, it's a step to keep going higher".
His Award-Winning Picture
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