Photographer based in Delhi, India
Abhishek Khedekar, Portrait of the Photographer
Tell us about yourself, what's your background?
I grew up in Dapoli, Maharashtra, India, a small coastal village where I enjoyed spending time with friends and family. During my early school days, I wasn’t great at academics, but I was always drawn to arts and cultural activities like drama, dance, and drawing. I especially loved the crafts and "Chitrakala" (drawing) classes and showed a lot of interest in them. It’s difficult for me to remember or express when the idea of becoming an artist first came to me.
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During my further studies, it all started when a friend of mine worked as a photographer in a local studio. I used to borrow a camera from the studio and explore the town, capturing random subjects that caught my eye. This experience sparked my passion for photography and marked the beginning of my photographic journey.
Later, I decided to take art more seriously and moved to bigger cities for further studies. While studying fine art, I worked in a small studio, which helped me learn how to use a camera and deepen my interest in photography.
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After finishing my fine art studies, I relocated to another city to pursue a master’s degree in photography design at the National Institute of Design. I began looking at photography from a new perspective and I started working on the projects that kept me wondering the next one.
“I’ve been changing my approach to create more constructed images, which allows deeper exploration. My inspiration for this project came from a photographer I met, Mr. Subhash Kolekar, who was the first photographer from my town, active since the 1960s. Going through his archive had a profound impact on me."
From project Dapoli, lost and found 02. (Untitled)Aniruddha showed me the ancient stone carvings. March 2024
What are you currently working on and where did the inspiration for it come from?
I am still engaged with the Dapoli project, which I initiated in 2017, and it remains an ongoing project. Recently, I’ve been changing my approach to create more constructed images, which allows deeper exploration. My inspiration for this project came from a photographer I met, Mr. Subhash Kolekar, who was the first photographer from my town, active since the 1960s. Going through his archive had a profound impact on me.
I am also working on another project. Since I often work on multiple projects at the same time, it helps me explore different approaches and keep the creative process alive. For this project, I visited a house in the mountains. The uniqueness of the house and its surroundings inspired me to take the work further.
From project Dapoli, lost and found. (Untitled) Red stone mining. March 2024
From project Before It Fades Away 02, (Untitled) trees looking at you in the cold November. Nov 2023
Innovation does not only happen in the field of technology — it occurs everyday in a creative practice. What do you do for inspiration?
Some days, inspiration comes while cooking or talking with fellow artists and friends. I often have conversations with my friends from my hometown, and our topics can go in random directions—from politics to everyday life or memories of the past. Sometimes, these moments spark new ideas and become the starting point for something creative.
I would also say that visiting new places inspires me. There’s no doubt that random locations and unexpected conversations—whether with a cab driver or a vegetable vendor—can open up new thoughts in my mind and lead to fresh perspectives for my work.
From project Before It Fades Away 04, (Untitled)homemade Pickel. Nov 2023
Describe your practice and process. Where do ideas start for you? In the studio or being in the world?
While working on one project, I frequently find new ideas for another project beginning to take shape in my mind.
For me, ideas usually come when I’m out in the world—whether walking, working on a commission, doing an editorial assignment or doing location scouting. Even when I’m busy, these moments inspire thoughts and visuals that stay with me. Once I return to my workspace, I start writing these thoughts down. Sometimes, the visuals that come to mind feel connected to a new idea, and I explore them further.
Other times, these ideas just sit in my notebook for a while. I keep writing on different pages, letting the thoughts build until they feel ready to develop into something more.
Found images from a flea market
How do you make your work, does it start with a sketch?
It always depends on the project. Sometimes, inspiration strikes when I arrive at a location or place, and the first few hours there are often the most productive. If I’ve already started the process, I might rely on images or documents I’ve collected to give me a starting point. My work doesn’t always begin with a sketch, but when I write down my thoughts, visuals often come to mind that guide the process. Occasionally, I doodle in my notebook, and those sketches help shape the images I create.
(Left) Experimenting with material to scan
(Right) Family archive with objects
Sometimes, I also paste small prints in my sketchbooks and constantly revisit previous images. Having them in front of me, maybe pinned to a board or stuck on the back of a door, keeps inspiring new thoughts and ideas. It’s a way of staying connected to the work and letting it evolve naturally over time.
As for my style, it’s flexible and changes depending on the project. I approach each project experimentally, letting the feelings or emotions I want to convey guide me toward a particular style. My work doesn’t follow a fixed path. Using different mediums for some projects helps me create unique visual languages, and that’s the fun part—keeping myself engaged with multiple projects and exploring new approaches.
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Many artists live by their routines, what does that look like for you?
I wish I could have a definite routine, but my day usually starts with a hot cup of tea. I go through emails and finish any leftover work from the previous night. Almost every morning, I listen to regional songs—they’ve become a comforting ritual for me. While cooking my first meal, I take some time to plan the day ahead.
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Since I work on freelance assignments, my days can vary a lot. On some days, I’m preparing for phone or video calls to discuss the day’s work. If it’s a shoot day, it’s a completely different start—I might be travelling to the location early in the morning or waking up in a different city to get ready for the assignment.
When I’m not traveling for work, I like to walk around and explore new places. Traveling and discovering unfamiliar spots are things I truly enjoy, and they often become part of my creative process.
(Left) Scarecrow, 2018 (Right) Archival Image, Dr. sachin Gujar.
Are there books or films that are an important source of inspiration?
Films are definitely a big source of inspiration for me. I often rewatch certain films multiple times, such as The Traveller (directed by Abbas Kiarostami), Camera Buff (directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski), and Where Is My Friend's Home (also directed by Abbas Kiarostami). Regional language films, like Vihir (directed by Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni) and Killa (directed by Avinash Arun), are also very inspiring to me.
I wouldn’t say that an entire film always inspires me, but sometimes a specific part does—a particular scene, the background score, a unique plot element, the cast or actor, or even the location. These moments often spark new ideas and influence my creative process.
Exhibition: Nowhere Is Home
Curated by Bharat Sikka, Nowhere Is Home was held at PHOTOINK Gallery, A-4 Green Avenue Street, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.
"Dapoli" was part of this group exhibition, presented by PHOTOINK in October 2022.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
The best advice I’ve received is to be very patient. It’s simple but powerful—sometimes, being slow is actually the fastest way forward.
What is the best advice you would give to other artists?
I would give the same advice that I’ve received: have patience and remember that sometimes, being slow is fast. Additionally, I’d say, don’t be afraid to create just because you fear making mistakes. In fact, share your mistakes with fellow artists or get feedback from others. Often, what feels like a mistake can open up new approaches or lead to unexpected developments in your work.
Studio view
Stay up to date with Abhishek Khedekar
Website abhishekkhedekar.com
Instagram @tendercoconut_