Aamir Wani is not your average photographer. Weaving heartwarming stories in each frame, this Kashmir-based visual artist opens the window to emotions, landscapes, and stories with every shutter click. Back from a recent trip to Türkiye, the award-winning photographer gives Travel+Leisure India & South Asia a glimpse of his trip, content creation journey, and more.
Excerpts from the interview with Aamir Wani:
T+L India: How did you develop an interest in photography? What motivated you to pursue it as a career?
Aamir Wani: I was studying business in the UK as my formal education. Photography was not on my radar! But the more time I spent away from my home, the Kashmir valley, I realized there was nothing I wanted to do other than tell beautiful stories about the people, culture, mountains, lakes, art, seasons, and meadows that I grew up in. Living in the UK also made me realize how the people of the valley and the place are so misunderstood. This urge to share an unseen facet of Kashmir led me to photography.
I started taking pictures on my phone and expressing my feelings through poetry, which my community finds deeply engaging. I invested in a camera and taught myself how to use it to improve my body of work. As Kashmir is so misunderstood, I think there was a need to show people our everyday reality–our joy, pain, and beauty.
T+L India: How would you describe your approach to photography, and how has it evolved with time?
Aamir Wani: I want to click what’s real. I hardly ever have an agenda when I click on a theme. It’s what I come across that day–be it a sunset or a tailor working on some garments. I want to keep things simple because I believe there is beauty in simplicity. It’s something we can all appreciate and relate to. I believe in letting the energy of the environment speak for itself. My approach is to be authentic to the moment, stories, and the feelings a place evokes within me. I believe those photos carry an inherent beauty that speaks to everyone.
T+L India: You even won the mBillionth award for your work. Can you tell us more about the project or initiative that earned you this recognition?
Aamir Wani: My photos have always been stories and I have focused a lot on the local culture, heritage art, and stories of the people. My work was picked up by the Digital Empowerment Foundation as they believed my photos were a step towards preserving the heritage and culture of Kashmir.
T+L India: What inspired you to use storytelling to promote human dignity, social justice, and equality?
Aamir Wani: Over time, I realised that people might forget a headline or a story they hear. But a striking image, where the eyes speak louder than words, stays in peoples’ consciousness forever. It gives people across oceans a true insight into what a community looks like and what their lives are like. [It serves as a reminder] that all of us have the same beating heart and the same struggles in life. One might be living in a high-rise somewhere and the other may be a mountain shepherd, but both are striving for a better life for their families. A look into a different landscape also inspires people to visit, and nothing brings the world closer than people travelling and interacting with people from different cultures and languages. I truly believe [travelling] encourages empathy and compassion amongst us.
T+L India: Can you share any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re working on that continue to champion these values through storytelling?
Aamir Wani: I am working on a long-term project focused on the different artisans of Kashmir: paper-mâché art, walnut wood carvers, aari and sozni embroiders, pashmina weavers, and more. Most of these heritage workforces are women. I have been creating short cinematic movies about their journey, challenges, intricacies of their craft, and what inspires these artisans to continue preserving their ancestral handicrafts. The project will be carried out in phases. I have released two episodes this year.
T+L India: You recently visited Türkiye. Were there any hidden gems or off-the-beaten-path experiences that you discovered during your time there?
Aamir Wani: On my last trip, I visited Taraklı and Sakarya, a small, quaint village barely a three- to four-hour drive from Istanbul. I loved it as it is relatively lesser-known. It wasn’t overly crowded and gave me the chance to experience the regular life of Turkish people and their community. I will return for a quiet and relaxing holiday there soon!
T+L India: Türkiye is known for its delicious cuisine. What were some of your most memorable food experiences during the trip?
Aamir Wani: I love the fish served at Eminonu Square by the Bosphorus. The street food there is delicious, especially the shacks serving freshly caught fried fish.
T+L India: Can you share some of your favourite photographs taken during your trip to Türkiye and the stories behind them?
Aamir Wani: One of my favourite photographs is this one I clicked in a mosque in the Mardin area of Türkiye. I happened to be there when soft light was falling on a man reading the scriptures. There was something extremely spiritual about that moment. Far away from the hustle of Istanbul, in a mosque in this lesser-known area, was a simple man quietly connecting with the divine, with an almost halo shining over him. It still evokes a deep calmness and a spiritual gravity in me.
Another favourite is a photograph of the Istanbul skyline. I love how that city is a melting pot of tradition, faith, spirituality, modernity, innovation, and different cultures living together. From this vantage point, you can see all the ancient towers, the mosque, and the 21st-century high rises seamlessly blending into a stunning view, reflecting all the faces of the city.
T+L India: What equipment and techniques did you use to capture the essence of Türkiye in your photographs?
Aamir Wani: I always have Sony α1 and my vivo devices with me when I am taking photos. For my Türkiye trip, I used my vivo X80pro a lot. It has an exceptional camera and helps me take beautiful photos when I am out and about. Having said that, I believe the only gear you truly need is your observational skills, your ability to be present in the moment and see a story or an emotion playing out in front of you–that’s what makes the best photos.
T+L India: What advice would you give to anyone planning a trip to Türkiye?
Aamir Wani: I advise everyone to explore other parts of Türkiye, other than Istanbul. The mountains are beautiful, the southern shore is picturesque, and the drives are very scenic. I will advise everyone to venture further and explore more of the countryside and the southern shore.
T+L India: Do you prefer solo travel or travelling with others? Why?
Aamir Wani: I like travelling alone, especially when I am planning to take lots of photos. I have erratic schedules, sometimes capturing a sunrise and sunset at different locations on the same day. Hence, travelling alone allows me to be flexible with my schedule without disrupting anyone else’s travel experience.
T+L India: What is your ideal domestic and international travel destination?
Aamir Wani: Domestically, I believe there is nothing like the quiet and clear skies and lakes of Ladakh. I love my road trips through that region.
Internationally, I love Türkiye and Italy. I keep going back to these places to capture different seasons and cities; and sometimes, just to rejuvenate!
T+L India: Are there any destinations on your bucket list that you haven’t visited yet?
Aamir Wani: I am quite eager to visit Greenland. I feel like that will be a challenge but also an experience of a lifetime. I have never visited New York, so I am looking forward to being there at some point and taking one of the world’s most famous and iconic cities off my bucket list. I know autumn in New York is stunning and has a character of its own. It is my favourite season, so I would love to photograph New York in the Fall.
T+L India: Any tips for budding photographers?
Aamir Wani: In today’s day and age, there is a place for everyone’s expression of stories and art. As long as you are true to yourself, post things that you like, and [content that is] meaningful to you, there will be a way forward. Share experiences so that people can also benefit. As long as your work is authentic and good-willed, you will get the recognition in due course.
And don’t focus on likes and followers. Remember why you started in the first place. For me, it was about sharing insights, and that’s what I continue to do wherever I go. Patience and perseverance are the two pillars that will carry you to success. Keep at your work with blinders and one day, you’ll look up to find a community you have built around you. Just keep at it!
All photographs courtesy of Aamir Wani
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