Wildlife Photography through an eye of a wildlife photographer- Bhasmang Mehta

1) What do you position yourself as in the industry?

I am a professional wildlife photographer & I own a travel company where in we specialize in customized wildlife tours to India.

2) What kind of photography do you specialize in?

I specialize in wildlife photography.

3) What inspired you to take photography as a career?

I always loved photography. I got my first camera when I was in 10th grade. After graduation I joined my family business of pharmaceutical manufacturing and continued to do different genres of photography during my trips abroad. Then happened my first ever wildlife trip in 2002. It was at Gir National Park. I got so many wonderful sightings of Asiatic Lions and Leopards. That trip started my interest in wildlife photography, and it kept on developing over the years. Then came a time where following a passion of wildlife photography and maintaining a profession of pharmaceuticals at the same time was getting tougher. So I had to choose one. I was never happy sitting in a office and do 9-5 work and being in the wild, tracking big cats and then photographing them excited me, so I decided to move out of the business and become professional in the field of wildlife photography.

4) What is your take on the scope of photography in India?

Social media and internet has opened up avenues and widen horizons for wanna be photographers. Photography is getting big in India. After digital cameras hit the market there are more people started doing photography than ever before. And with now mobile phones equipped with good quality cameras, doing photography is something that anyone can do. People are taking more interest in learning about various genres of photography than ever before.

5) What are your upcoming projects?

It's spring time in the United States and it means it's time for American Black Bears to emerge from their hibernation. So our trips currently focus on photographing American Black Bears.

6) Does wildlife tourism have an impact on local community?

Yes definitely. Wildlife tourism surely has an impact on the local communities and in a positive way. Wildlife tourism increases employment opportunities for locals. Most of the safaris drivers & guides are from local communities. More tourism means more & more resorts opening up in the area and it gives employment opportunities for local communities too.