Documenting Queerness in the Indian photo studio
he identity of queer persons has often been erased from our history and culture. My attempt as an illustrator was to rekindle some glimpses into how queerness would exist in a heteronormative place like a traditional Indian 'Photo Studio'. The most important events have been documented in these studios, such as birthdays, anniversaries or a yearly family photo. Clicking a photo and being photographed is a vulnerable affair, in this process the 'photo studio' becomes a safe space for the queer identifying person/persons to express and the photographer to respect their being.
These illustrations are an attempt to re-invent an inclusive past and create a feeling of nostalgia in an environment of a traditional Indian photo studio.
Photo studio Background from Durgesh photo studio- Barabanki. (Background images sourced from the internet- JustDial)
Photo studio Background from star photo studio- Bhusawal. (Background images sourced from the internet- JustDial)
Photo studio Background from Durgamata photo studio- Jalgaon. (Background images sourced from the internet- JustDial)
