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

Keeping old traditions alive Ajita Madhavji owner of Hamilton StudiosWe 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 onetoone 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 weve 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 theyre still apprehensive to walk in and are dillydallying on their decision Its difficult for people to become fully comfortable because its a very personalized session In such a scenario where outfit changes are involved as well its difficult to maintain the social distancing norms at all times But Im sure with time that these things will pass Nobody in the world takes pictures like us and Im certain well bounce back soonAt Hamilton Studios NTC House N Morarji Road Ballard Estate FortCall 22610485A ray of hopeNelson Patel owner of Godnels Photo StudioNelson Patel clicks subjects from a distance PicNelson PatelOne 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 Thats the kind of business we didnt want We didnt even have the heart to charge these people for these photos so we shifted to charging nominal rates that didnt 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 livestreaming 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 facilitiesMany 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 betterNelson Patel clicks subjects from a distance PicNelson PatelAt Godnels Photo Studio MaladMarve Road Kharodi Village Malad WestCall 22610485The studio is still popularSanjay Chaddha Anil Chaddha and Rajesh Chaddha owners of Indian Art StudioThe Chaddha brothers PicAtul KambleWe 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 Wed 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 wed help customers with essentials like passport photographs Theyd click it at home on their mobiles and wed 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 weve had weve managed to make them feel comfortable Weve 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 touchAt Indian Art Studio Chhayachitrakar Chaddha Chowk 174 Shamaldas Gandhi Marg KalbadeviCall 22063315