About your guide
Street & Documentary Photographer — Kolkata
Born in Varanasi, shaped by Kolkata — two cities that taught me how to read the streets before I ever held a camera. For over a decade, I've been photographing the pulse of India and helping others do the same.
My story
I grew up between two of India's most photogenic cities — Varanasi, where ritual and time blur along the ghats, and Kolkata, where every lane holds a century of stories. Those early years weren't spent in photography classes. They were spent watching, wandering, and learning to read the rhythm of a place.
When I picked up a camera, I already knew how to disappear into a crowd, how to anticipate the moment before it happens, and how to earn the kind of trust that lets a stranger forget you're there. That is still the foundation of everything I teach.
Over the past decade I've worked across India — from the rooftop dyes of Rajasthan to the monastery stillness of Ladakh, from the alleyways of Old Delhi to the tram-lined boulevards of North Kolkata. Every region has its own visual language, and learning to speak it is the real skill.
"I don't teach people to take better photos. I teach them to see more honestly — and the photos follow." — Shivam Pandey
What I offer
Photo Tours
& WorkshopsImmersive, on-the-ground experiences in Kolkata and across India. We shoot in real time — I help you read the streets, anticipate moments, and build a body of work that actually says something. Suitable for all experience levels.
Group Tour
Design & SupportPlanning to bring a photography group to India? I design itineraries built around the best light, the most photographically alive locations, and the cultural access that only comes from local knowledge. I handle scouting, logistics, and on-ground support.
Mentorship &
Portfolio ReviewWhether you're refining your eye or preparing a body of work for publication, I offer one-on-one mentorship focused on honest, purposeful storytelling — not technical tricks. Real feedback, real growth.
Where I take you
Every tour is customised, but these are the destinations I know most intimately — and return to again and again.
Kolkata
A city that reveals itself in layers through light, texture, and human rhythm. Kolkata isn't about chasing moments, but noticing them.
Varanasi
Varanasi is timeless, where life, death, and devotion exist side by side. The ghats offer an ever-changing stage of rituals and quiet moments.
Delhi
Delhi is a city of contrasts — historic and modern, chaotic and composed. From Old Delhi's dense streets to quieter urban corners, it constantly shifts.
Agra
The Taj Mahal is all about light, symmetry, and subtle human presence. Beyond the monument, the city offers quieter stories waiting to be framed.
Rajasthan
Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur & villages — rich in colour, texture, and tradition. From royal architecture to village life, each location has a distinct visual language.
Ladakh
Vast, minimal, and deeply still. Light shifts quickly across mountains and monasteries, demanding patience and awareness.
Mumbai
Fast, dense, and full of energy — always in motion. From early mornings at the docks to crowded trains, stories unfold rapidly.
Chennai
Chennai moves at its own pace, rooted in tradition yet quietly evolving. From temple rituals to coastal life, it offers a different rhythm.
Nagaland
About identity, culture, and community. Villages, festivals, and daily life offer rare photographic access to a world few visitors see.
Festivals of India
India's festivals are intense, colourful, and deeply emotional. From grand processions to fleeting human expressions, everything happens at once.
Collaborations
I've been proud to support international photographers and organisations in bringing meaningful photo travel experiences to India. From full itinerary design to on-the-ground logistics and cultural facilitation — I'm the local knowledge behind successful tours.
If you're a tour leader or photographer in search of a trusted ground partner in India, let's talk.
Approach & gear
Current camera
Leica M11-P
Previously
Leica Q Series
The tools matter less than the intention. A rangefinder forces you to slow down, commit, and be in the moment — which is exactly the approach I try to pass on.
The ability to slow down, to observe, and to truly engage with what's unfolding in front of you. The equipment you carry is secondary; what matters is how you see, how you anticipate, and how you respond to a moment. Street photography demands honesty. The light doesn't wait, moments don't repeat, and people sense the difference between being watched and being understood. That's where meaningful images begin, not in technique, but in awareness.
Everything I teach comes back to this: being genuinely present. When that happens, the camera fades into the background, and what remains is connection — cultural, emotional, human. I currently work with the Leica M11-P, and previously used the Leica Q series. My settings are simple and intuitive, allowing me to stay focused on the moment. But the camera is only a medium. In my workshops, I help you understand your camera — any system — while guiding you beyond the technical: how to connect, observe, and tell stories that resonate.
Whether you're just starting out or have years behind the lens — get in touch and let's build something meaningful together.