This week, The Soiree Book presents a spotlight on Newborn and Children photography – Giggles by Ankit Chawla. Ankit has a gorgeous yet simple style with his newborn and children portraits and we are thrilled to have the chance to ask him a few questions!
Hi Ankit , and thank you for joining us here today! First of all, we’d love to hear a little about your story and where your love of photography comes from!
When I was eighteen, my father bought me a camera . When I first picked up that camera, I just couldn’t keep it down. I kept clicking anyone and everyone around me. That’s when I realised I was bitten by the shutterbug. 
Of all the photography genres out there, you chose newborn and children photography. Can you tell us a little about why newborns have your heart?
As early as during my high school days, I knew that I wanted to work with kids. I feel a connection with them as much as they do towards me.
I decided to combine my love for kids and camera, and thus came up with the idea of a very personalised way of preserving memories of birth or growing up years of ones child.
What piece of advice would you offer to those interested in getting into newborn photography?
Patience is the key and style is a voice. If you buy it, borrow it, download it, steal it, it’s not a style. Never look outward for your style. Instead look inwards.
Your lighting is soft and beautiful. Do you use natural or artificial light? Or maybe a little of both?
I am most comfortable using natural light. And I assume so are the babies. My work is an output of the natural light and the light that comes incandescence from the childs spirit.
What equipment would I find in your camera bag or studio for a typical shoot?
I recently switched to a canon 6D. You will find this camera body, a prime lens, and a reflector in my heavy-duty bag. I’ve never outgrown my equipment, or felt limited by it.
Could you describe your digital work-flow and the software you use?
I only shoot on Raw and I keep experimenting with the different camera settings. After the shoot my pictures go through a necessary post production work. I mostly use Photoshop Lightroom to treat the images.
Are there any memorable images or shoots you could share with us? What made them special for you?
Sometimes the purity of a child’s soul can create magic despite adverse conditions. A couple of months ago when I was shooting with a two year old boy in Lodhi Garden. I realised that after 2-3 shots the child fearlessly started chasing the big dogs present out there in the park. I enjoyed the session as much as the child enjoyed with the dogs. The parents were extremely skeptical about where the session was headed but it turned our to be one of the most magical sessions ever which also was featured at a couple of international forums.
I can’t let you go without talking about money really quick. Can you give us an idea about how much new parents spend on pictures of their newborn, or how much you charge per client?
A basic photography session starts from 10k and goes upto 35, depending upon the deliverables and the number of visits.
And last but not the least, why the name giggles photography?
Because Giggles is a happy word, and reminds you of kids instantly.
Would you like to see even more of Ankit’s wonderful photography? Make sure you visit his facebook page here – https://m.facebook.com/giggles.clicks to see his brilliant images!
Contact Ankit at – +919818306658 or write to him at ankit@gigglesphotography.co.in
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