Table of contents [Show]
- Can you tell us about when you captured the stunning image of the Indian peafowl? What was going through your mind?
- What inspired you to start wildlife photography at a young age?
- What challenges have you faced while photographing wildlife, especially as a young photographer?
- How did you feel when you learned you were the Runner-Up in the Youngest Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition?
- What are your future goals as a photographer? Is there a particular species or location you dream of photographing?
- mapabear: How did you first recognize Shreyovi’s interest in wildlife photography? What steps did you take to nurture her passion
- Are you involved in planning her photography trips or helping her with equipment?
- How do you balance encouraging Shreyovi’s passion for photography with her education and other activities?
- What was your reaction when you learned that Shreyovi was named Runner-Up in the Youngest Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition?
- How do you see Shreyovi’s passion for wildlife photography influencing her future?
- What advice would you give to other parents who want to support their children’s unique interests or talents?
Can you tell us about when you captured the stunning image of the Indian peafowl? What was going through your mind?
My dad, Anish uncle, Allen uncle, and I were walking on a narrow path in Bharatpur when we saw the road lit up beautifully by the sunrise and mist. While we were enjoying the view, two peahens walked onto the road. I quickly grabbed my dad’s second camera, and as I started taking pictures, a nilgai joined in, too! I decided to keep the shot wide because the scene felt magical. Everyone was extremely happy with my photo that day.
What inspired you to start wildlife photography at a young age?
My mom and dad are the best wildlife professionals in India, and I’ve been lucky to visit forests since I was two. I’ve already been to 10 national parks! I love being in the forest, waking up early, looking for wildlife, walking in the woods, and going on gypsy safaris. Whenever I asked Dad if I could use his camera, he’d say, “First, enjoy the forest.” One day, he finally gave me his second camera and a lens, and I was so happy to see the forest through his camera.
Then Uncle Allen, Vedant, and Anshul from the Nature Wanderers team started teaching me the basics of photography. I’m still learning, and Dad gives me tips sometimes. Hopefully, one day, I’ll be as good as him!
What challenges have you faced while photographing wildlife, especially as a young photographer?
I'm fortunate to have been born and to live around wildlife and the world of wildlife photography. Right now, wildlife trips are all about fun for me. I want to spend more time in the lap of nature, visit more places, and keep practising. But school is important too, so I plan to balance both well.
How did you feel when you learned you were the Runner-Up in the Youngest Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition?
Last year, I visited the Natural History Museum, and we bought a ticket to see the exhibition. My mom told me that winning this award is a dream for every photographer. I never thought I would win, but now I am going there to receive an award. It feels good to represent India with the image of our national bird. So very excited about it.
What are your future goals as a photographer? Is there a particular species or location you dream of photographing?
Dad spends months in the Himalayas with snow leopards and red pandas and talks so highly of the Himalayas. I keep telling him I want to see those locations and species. So, I dream of visiting the Himalayas with my dad and photographing there.
To admire a flower, one should never let off the roots. mapabear spoke to Shreyovi's mother Kahini Ghosh, who instilled in her a passion for flora and fauna.
mapabear: How did you first recognize Shreyovi’s interest in wildlife photography? What steps did you take to nurture her passion
Shreyovi's Mother: Shreyovi never shied away from roughing it out when she travelled with us. Wildlife photography and wildlife travel require discipline - getting up early, punctuality, and patience. I have seen all these aspects in her since she went on her first field trip at 2. Girls are close to their dads and look up to them. I remember when she was 2-3 years old, she always looked forward to spending time with Shivang as he spent 300-odd days in the field. And when she wanted Shivang to tell bedtime stories, he had nothing else to narrate but some field incidents and stories. So, a lot has been printed in her subconscious brain, and jungle life came naturally to her.
Are you involved in planning her photography trips or helping her with equipment?
Yes, we try taking her to new locations and new tiger parks and other destinations in India. But Shivang wants her to experience a wider gamut when it comes to species – from big cats, birds, and even the macro world. Regarding equipment, she has been surrounded by them, and as a toddler, she has seen cameras and lenses all around her. After this award, I am sure she will demand her personal equipment.
How do you balance encouraging Shreyovi’s passion for photography with her education and other activities?
We ensure she spends 30-40 days a year on the field. Her school, Shiv Nadar, recognizes her love for nature and has been very supportive. We encourage her to experience nature in an urban environment so that her photography is not solely dependent on safaris.
What was your reaction when you learned that Shreyovi was named Runner-Up in the Youngest Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition?
It was surprising and delightful. We discussed Shreyovi participating in NHM someday, and I told Shivang why to wait and that if an image is good, she should compete. It’s overwhelming to see the love she is getting from the masses and our peers in the wildlife fraternity. It’s going to be a big boost for her.
How do you see Shreyovi’s passion for wildlife photography influencing her future?
Shreyovi is Dad’s ardent follower. So, I am sure she would be following in his footsteps. However, being in the wildlife profession for 20 years, I think we would be better positioned to plan her next moves if she wants to pursue this professionally. For now, the best thing for her is to enjoy the natural world and hone her natural history skills.
What advice would you give to other parents who want to support their children’s unique interests or talents?
Children have boundless energy and talent. Letting themselves loose will help them figure out what they are interested in. But once you have identified that part, give them the exposure to hone their skills.
As Shreyovi’s journey unfolds, so does her passion for wildlife photography. Her journey is a testament to the power of nurturing young talents and the boundless potential of a curious mind. With each click of her camera, she not only captures the beauty of nature but also inspires others to appreciate and preserve it. In her hands, the camera becomes more than a tool; it’s a key to unlocking the magic that exists all around us. One can’t help but be inspired to look at the world with the same wide-eyed curiosity—to see not just what's in front of us but what could be if only we invested close enough. Shreyovi may be young, but through her lens, she’s showing us that the world is infinitely more alive than we often realize, reminding us to embrace our own wild at heart and not take it for granted. In the words of Lester Brown, an American environmentalist, “We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children.
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