“I grew up in Tamil Nadu, like most kids from a South Indian family, where the path was pretty clear — study well, choose science, pursue engineering, and aim for a stable job. I did exactly that. After my 10th, I took science, went on to study engineering, and later moved to the US for my master’s in Computer Science.
From 2002 to 2010, I worked as a software engineer in the US. Life was secure, but there was always this nagging feeling that something was missing. One thing I noticed there was how everything, from products to experiences, was presented so well. It made me think about India. We have such a rich culture, heritage, and art, but we don’t package it with the same attention. That thought lingered with me.
During that time, I stumbled upon photography. At first, it was just a hobby, but I kept finding myself drawn to it. Every time I picked up the camera, a part of me questioned — why does this feel so right? Shouldn’t I just focus on my career? But with every photo I captured, I felt a stronger pull toward doing something meaningful with it.
By 2010, I knew I couldn’t brush it aside anymore. I realised I wanted to use photography to capture and showcase the beauty of India — our culture, art, and heritage. So, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life. I quit my job, packed my bags, and returned to India to pursue photography full-time.
I started Studio A, a wedding photography and filmmaking company. Over the years, we have covered weddings across India and abroad. But my heart always leaned toward documenting culture and stories that often go unnoticed. I wanted to give a voice to those stories. That’s when I started Big Short Films, a documentary platform, and Discover Tamil Nadu, a travel channel focused on our cultural richness. I began capturing folk art forms, classical dances, ancient crafts, and heritage sites. There was so much that deserved attention, and I felt a strong responsibility to be part of that effort.
Today, when I see my work helping artisans, bringing attention to fading art forms, or inspiring young people to value our heritage, I know I did the right thing.”
- Amar Ramesh, Engineer turned Photographer