The Photo That Found Me in Mumbai

Some photos aren’t just taken. They find you. They freeze time, capture emotion, and silently tell you, “This is where your journey begins.”

I still remember the day clearly. I was on a school trip to Mumbai, far away from my usual surroundings, walking through unfamiliar streets, absorbing the pace, the colors, the chaos. I am having just my phone in my pocket and curiosity in my heart.

There wasn’t any plan to take the shot. But while walking, I saw a moment that pulled me in. A scene that quietly stood out: an old building, some taxis passing by, and a certain light that felt... cinematic.. So I paused, lifted my phone, and clicked.

At that moment, I didn’t know what I had captured. It was just a random picture among many.

But later, while editing, it all changed. As I adjusted the colors, balanced the light, and stared at the final image—it spoke to me.
"Something inside clicked too."
This wasn’t just another travel photo. This was one of those pictures I clicked before I even knew I loved photography.
This picture helped me realize that photography was more than just a hobby—it was a perspective, a way to connect with the world and with myself.

What surprised me even more was how people reacted to it.
“No way this is from a phone!”
“You clicked this?”
That genuine disbelief turned into motivation for me. It felt like I was finally seen—not just by others, but by myself too. And maybe for the first time, I felt proud of something I created.

Since then, this photo has stayed with me. It’s the lock screen of my laptop, a constant reminder of how far I’ve come and where it all began. It’s not just beautiful to look at it’s a symbol of the moment I unknowingly stepped into the world of photography.

I’ll be sharing more of such photos—stories behind the shots, emotions tied to the frames, and my journey of learning as a freestyle photographer. Whether it’s street, monochrome, or pure instinct, each click has a story. And this was the first.