[PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT] Sachin Khona

First photographer spotlight of the year folks...and it's a goodie! I give you the talented, Sachin Khona! I was first introduced to Sachin through Miss Alex Beadon.  I was instantly intrigued by his beautiful photographs.  I found myself always clicking eagerly to see his posts (this is how I know I really like someone's photography) the private candid moments he captures at weddings are addicting and I love that though his photographs you truly feel like you are there part of that couples special day.  Enjoy the interview!

What first interested you in photography? What do you love most about it?

I can’t really remember when I first started shooting. Probably on holiday as a child somewhere with my folks. I like to travel a lot and the camera has taken me to places I don’t think I ever would have gone to had I not been shooting.  My interest in travel and photography went side by side growing up I guess and when I was young, one of my uncles took a lot of amazing landscape & macro photos. I wanted to shoot like that too and back then he used to throw me the odd tip here and there. They were mostly to do with composition. That’s all I used to care about. I rocked the auto mode on my SLR film for a very long time and loved what I used to get. The introduction of digital photography allowed me to experiment more without it costing me an arm and a leg. Since then, I’ve travelled more, shot more and love creating photos. I love that I can always improve and always see things differently as time goes on. That’s exciting.

What kind of photographs do you most enjoy taking?

Portraits. But a really good street photo, with the perfect light, the perfect moment, the perfect composition is something I’m always looking for.

What’s in your bag?

I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II & a Mark I.

All my lenses are canon and I use the following

35mm f/1.4

85mm f/1.8

50 mm f/1.4

135 f/2.0

17-40mm f/4

I also have few film cameras (EOS 3 and AE-1)

I use two 430 Canon Flash and Elinchrom Skyport triggers and receivers

Other than that, batteries, lens clothes, rocket blower, the usual.

Favourite lens?

35 1.4 every time.

Your Pick! Who would you most want to photograph and why?

Noémie Lenoir. She’s beautiful.

List some of your favourite photographers

Most of them are wedding photographers, but not all ;)

Caroline Ghetes, Jeff Newsom, Erik Clausen, Jose Villa, Ryan Muirhead, Jonas Peterson, Elisabeth Messina, Sam Hurd, Mark Carey, Jerry Ghionis, Ozzy Garcia, Alma & Claire, Terry Richardson, Fer Juaristi, Ed Peers, Daniel Aguilar, I can go on and on …

Oh and I’ll throw in Henri Cartier Bresson for good measure :)

Your inspiration on a daily basis? What is your muse?

Music.

Favourite photographer dead/alive?

Jeff Newsom. I’m consistently blown away by his vision. Every. Time.

Tell us a little bit about your work flow/editing process? (any specific programs you can’t live without?)

Cull in Photo Mechanic – Raw Edit in Bridge – Batch Process in PS

2013 I’ll be making the transition to LR. Any tips? ;)

Film or digital camera?

Digital.

I love film and it taught me to slow down a lot. I’d love to use more of it if it wasn’t so expensive. 

The Big Picture (where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 years?)

No idea. Whatever or wherever I am, I just wanna be happy doing what I’m doing. Healthy, traveling, improving my photography and enjoying life. Maybe I’ll own a studio?

 Magazine of choice?

Men’s Health. Haha I always buy this magazine when I’m at an airport.

Other than that, Professional Photographer (UK magazine) or National Geographic.

Favourite band?

Incubus 

 Your favorite quote?

“Never expect things to happen. Struggle and make them happen” – My dad made a photocopy of this quote out from a book, highlighted those words and gave it to me at one of my most difficult times when I was studying. It has helped me ever since. Love ya Dadio!

Best coffee table/photography book?

Jose Villa’s fine art wedding photography book is pretty special.

Describe your dream photoshoot (location and all):

A wedding in Laos.

Favourite lighting to shoot in?

Natural light every time.

 Best part of being a photographer?

Being creative, working at locations with people, not sitting behind a desk (unless editing).

Worst part?

At the moment, I’d say missing out on summer weekends with friends haha .. But I love shooting weddings and wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s a catch 22.

 Most memorable moment as a photographer so far?

Shooting 3 destination weddings in my second year of being a wedding photographer. Pretty proud of that. One included going to Africa for the first time ever and shooting a wedding in Kenya

Your personal favourite photo you’ve taken to date? (yes, I’m making you pick):

There is one I took in Kenya which I really love. The couple is out of focus and the colours when I took this shot were magic. 

Me pushing my creativity and style a bit and a sign of things to come hopefully in 2013 :)

The moment you knew you were meant to be a photographer, any one in particular?

I don’t think I can pin point that. It just a feeling that I have that just feels right. Always.

Tips/words of wisdom for aspiring photographers just starting out?

Work hard.

Look after your clients.

Love what you do.

Best advice you’ve ever gotten?       

“You don’t have to be the best. You just have to be better than last week.” – Jerry Ghionis

Thank you Sachin for the amazing interview!
Can't wait to see what's next for you!

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