World Photography Day: Mumbai studios on navigating the pandemic and future plans

On World Photography Day, three of the city’s popular studios reveal how they’ve adapted to the pandemic, the tricks they’ve used in the past year and future plans

Keeping old traditions alive  

Ajita Madhavji, owner of Hamilton Studios

We had closed down completely, ever since the lockdown began, because of the restrictions. But I was missing every part of the studio, which is what drove me to reopen it again this year in July. I firmly believe that our practice can only be done on a one-to-one basis. Photography, especially portraiture is very intimate, so it cannot be replicated through an online medium. We did try to do some restoration work, but it was difficult to get people to do the printing, and other technical processes that were involved during this time. Now that we've opened up once again, I feel like things are slowly falling back into place. People are starting to trickle in, but at a slow pace. Some have taken appointments but they're still apprehensive to walk in and are dilly-dallying on their decision. It's difficult for people to become fully comfortable because it's a very personalized session. In such a scenario, where outfit changes are involved as well, it's difficult to maintain the social distancing norms at all times. But I'm sure with time that these things will pass. Nobody in the world takes pictures like us, and I'm certain we'll bounce back soon. 

At Hamilton Studios, NTC House, N Morarji Road, Ballard Estate, Fort. 
Call 22610485

A ray of hope

Nelson Patel, owner of Godnel's Photo Studio

Nelson Patel clicks subjects from a distance. Pic/Nelson Patel

One of the saddest parts of the trade that I noticed was that many were coming in to develop photos of those who had passed away during the pandemic. That's the kind of business we didn't want. We didn't even have the heart to charge these people for these photos, so we shifted to charging nominal rates that didn't bring in profit. Unfortunately, in terms of business, there was a huge loss. We had to refund amounts for weddings and events that we had taken. But then we did pick up live-streaming services. Since that last lockdown, many people started flowing in but very irregularly and mostly for passport photos. In terms of style of clicking photographs, nothing has really changed. All we ask now is that people maintain distance, wear their masks and carry sanitisers. We have also set up our own sanitary facilities. 

Many photographers have lost confidence, even to buy new equipment. I was about to invest in some as well before the pandemic, but held it off. But I do feel that, now that things are opening up, the situation might get slightly better. 

Nelson Patel clicks subjects from a distance. Pic/Nelson Patel

At Godnel's Photo Studio, Malad-Marve Road, Kharodi Village, Malad West. 
Call 22610485

The studio is still popular 

Sanjay Chaddha, Anil Chaddha and Rajesh Chaddha owners of Indian Art Studio

The Chaddha brothers. Pic/Atul Kamble

We did a lot of work during the pandemic. The majority of it was restoration. People would turn up to the studio with truckloads of old photographs, VHS cassette tapes, and glass negatives. We'd help them out by developing these. In fact, for us, the pandemic brought in so much work that we often found it hard to meet deadlines. We noticed that people had spent a lot of time with their families at home, which made them nostalgic and want to preserve many cherished memories. When it came to photography, we'd help customers with essentials like passport photographs. They'd click it at home on their mobiles, and we'd print it and send it through the delivery service WeFast. When it reopened after the second lockdown, we resumed family photography sessions. It was easier for us because the basement where the studio is located is about 30, 000 sq ft so it offers enough space to follow social distancing and proper sanitation. So far, during the family sessions that we've had, we've managed to make them feel comfortable. We've also noticed that people are still very fond of photography and want to click pictures of their families inside studios. They might have mobile phones but they prefer coming to studios for a professional touch. 

At Indian Art Studio, Chhayachitrakar Chaddha Chowk, 174, Shamaldas Gandhi Marg, Kalbadevi. 
Call 22063315

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