By Raja Anjana Kothapalli
This top 10 list can be used the brands that are on the lookout for top photography influencers. It also can be used by the photography enthusiasts who want to perfect their art. They can achieve it via watching the tips and tricks suggested by these opinion leaders. These photography influencers have a much higher engagement with their followers. This is in comparison with influencers who’ve huge followership but minimal engagement. Read on and find out who we, at Hobo Video, think are the top 10 photography influencers in India.
Metrics behind the top 10 photography influencers in India
We, at Hobo Video, focused on 3 major metrics. We used them to decide on our final list of the top 10 photography influencers. They are:
Engagement
This metric is used to observe the level of engagement of a photography influencer. It includes the number of reactions and comments. Reactions are likes, dislikes, shares, etc. Most importantly, the engagement rate of the influencer’s social media account.
Content
The content should have good visual and audio quality. It should be unique and engaging. The content has to be relevant to the photography niche. Timeline of the content needs to be consistent.
Followers
The influencer should have a huge and loyal follower base. They need to actively and regularly engage with their followers.
However, more weightage is given to engagement (50%). Then content (30%) and finally the number of followers (20%) of the photography influencer.
Hobo Video’s list of the top 10 photography influencers in India
1. Sanket Khuntale
Sanket Khuntale is a Mumbai-based commercial photographer. He is specialized in advertising, weddings, and product photography. He fell in love with photography at the age of 13. Further, he tries to create imagery for his clients to convey their brand’s story. Moreover, he is also a freelancer, graphic designer, and painter. He is also a travel enthusiast and social media photography influencer. Above all, Sanket Khuntale received many national and international awards.
He has been featured in magazines such as Creative Gaga and Smart Photography. Sanket Khuntale runs a website called sanketnow.com. Here, he showcases his extensive photography work and blog posts. As of March 2021, Sanket Khuntale has 22K followers on Instagram. He has 13.6K followers on Facebook and 3.1K followers on Behance. Further, he has 540 followers on 500px and 130 subscribers on YouTube. Look into Sanket Khuntale’s Instagram report by starngage.com. According to it, he has an engagement rate of 9.5%. His average likes are about 2,094 per post. Further, his average comments are about 51 per post. In addition, the majority of his followers are male (71.1%). He loves to post on topics related to photography, pets, and travel.
2. Kalyan Varma
Kalyan Varma is a Bangalore-based wildlife photographer. He is a filmmaker and social media photography influencer. Further, he is a naturalist and an explorer specializing in environmental issues. He works as a freelancer with many worldwide entities. These entities include leading magazines and environmental NGOs. They also include television channels such as National Geographic and BBC. Kalyan Varma’s work appeared in several publications around the world. They include National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, and The Guardian.
Moreover, he runs a website called kalyanvarma.net. Here, he showcases his photography work, films, and stories. He also shares his workshops and journal posts. Above all, Kalyan Varma founded India Nature Watch along with a team of photographers. It is an online community for aspiring Asian wildlife photographers. He is the co-founder of Nature InFocus, a photography festival. Kalyan Varma conducts workshops and seminars on wildlife photography. He won awards such as ‘Sanctuary Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2005’. Kalyan also won ‘BBC Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2013’.
Kalyan Varma prefers to use narrative and visual construction. He intends to lure the audience into the subject. He likes prompting them to ask questions. As of March 2021, Kalyan Varma has 59.7K followers on Facebook. He has 31.7K followers on Instagram and 13.1K followers on Twitter. In addition, look at speakrj.com’s audit report of Kalyan Varma Instagram account. As per it, he has an engagement rate of 9.15%. His average likes are about 2,764 per post. Further, his average comments are about 55 per post.
3. Kunal Malhotra (the.photography.blogger)
Kunal Malhotra is a Delhi-based photographer. He is also a blogger and YouTuber. Most importantly, he is a social media photography influencer. He shares the latest trends and news in the world of photography. Kunal also shares several tips and tricks on photography. His YouTube channel is called The Photography Blogger. It is a Hindi Photography Channel. Here, you get to watch photography tutorials and lessons in Hindi. Kunal Malhotra also teaches photography online. You can find his classes and tutorials here. Above all, he supports Tamil Nadu’s Kanavu Fellowship. Moreover, Kunal Malhotra has been associated with top brands. They include Canon, Amazon, and Unacademy.
He blogs on the Digital Photography School. Also at kunalmalhotra.in, and the-photography-blogger.com. Kunal Malhotra conducted over 100 webinars. He conducted many photography walks and workshops. These belong to different genres of photography and content creation. Kunal likes working in different genres of photography. As of March 2021, Kunal Malhotra has 597K subscribers on YouTube. He has 129K followers on Instagram and 14K followers on Facebook. Further, he has 1.3K followers on Twitter and 42 followers on Flickr. You can look at speakrj.com’s audit report of Kunal Malhotra Instagram account. As per it, he has an engagement rate of 5.9%. His average likes are about 6,195 per post. Further, his average comments are about 213 per post.
In addition, look into his YouTube stats and analytics report by HypeAuditor. According to it, his average views per video is 87,400. With 21,104 minimum views and 87,409 maximum views. His average engagement per video is 4,100. With 3,780 average reactions (likes and dislikes) per video and 272 average comments per video.
4. Himanshu Khagta
Himanshu Khagta is a Himachal Pradesh-based photographer and travel enthusiast. He is also a director and social media photography influencer. Moreover, he founded QUROST in 2018. It is a Broadcasting & Media Production Company based in the Himalayas. Himanshu Khagta documents life in mountainous areas of India. Further, he directed ad-films for Royal Enfield, National Geographic Traveller, and Vivo.
Moreover, his photographs have been featured in prominent publications. They include The New York Times and BBC Travel. Further, they include The International Herald Tribune and Lonely Planet. His projects ‘Life in Spiti’ and ‘Life in Shimla’ depict his experiences of Shimla and Spiti Valley. Further, Himanshu Khagta runs a website called khagta.com. Here, he posts his photographs, videos, and journal. Moreover, he also is an orchardist at Qurost Orchards. It is an orchard in the Himalayas producing fruits and organic vegetables.
Profile Stats
Above all, as of March 2021, Himanshu Khagta has 7.3K followers on Facebook. He has 5.6K followers on Instagram and 2.6K followers on Twitter. Further, he has 344 subscribers on YouTube and 87 followers on Behance. You can look into HypeAuditor’s report on the Himanshu Khagta Instagram account. According to it, he has an engagement rate of 5.21%. His average likes are about 293 per post. Further, his average comments are about 2 per post.
Moreover, He created Himalayan Roads in 2015. It films the beautiful Himalayan roads and culture. As of March 2021, Himalayan Roads has 105K subscribers on YouTube. It has 2.9K followers on Instagram and 2.3K followers on Facebook. In addition, Himanshu Khagta founded From Shimla. It is a boutique online store by Shimla farmers. It reflects the essence of Shimla. As of March 2021, it has 729 followers on Instagram.
5. Ganesh Bagal
Ganesh Bagal is a travel and wedding photographer. He is a travel enthusiast and writer. Bagal is also a blogger and social media photography influencer. Moreover, he worked as a brand ambassador for top brands. They include Sony Alpha, Peak Design, Haida filter, and Godox Lights. Ganesh Bagal is also associated with numerous brands. They include Google Pixel, Johnnie Walker, and Samsung. Most importantly, his works have been published in publications such as National Geographic. Ganesh Bagal believes in capturing special moments. He also believes in coloring the photographs with the essence of the soul. In addition, he runs a website called ganeshbagal.com. Here, he showcases his photography work, blog posts, and operates an online store.
Above all, as of March 2021, Ganesh Bagal has 72.7K followers on Facebook. He has 66.9K followers on Instagram and 435 followers on 500px. You can look into speakrj.com’s audit report of Ganesh Bagal Instagram account. As per it, he has an engagement rate of 5.17%. His average likes are about 3,312 per post. Further, his average comments are about 82 per post.
6. Amar Ramesh
Amar Ramesh is a Chennai-based photographer. He is a travel enthusiast, entrepreneur, and artist. Ramesh is also a speaker, creative coach, and blogger. Most importantly, he is a social media photography influencer. Moreover, he left a software career to pursue his passion for photography. Most importantly, Amar Ramesh is the founder of StudioA Weddings and BigShortFilms. He founded The Photo Rama’s and Mizu Backdrops. Also, Evolve Library and Kadamba Vanam. StudioA Weddings has the finest wedding photography and filmmaking teams. They cover from exotic destinations to intimate weddings. Further, Stones and Stories is the passion project of Amar Ramesh. It documents the rare temples of India.
Above all, he supports Tamil Nadu’s Kanavu Fellowship. It is a one-year fellowship program in photography and film-making. It is for female and female-identifying aspiring photographers. This fellowship aims to reduce the gender gap in the field of photography. As of March 2021, Amar Ramesh has 105.3K followers on Facebook. He has 63.6K followers on Instagram and 29.5K subscribers on YouTube. Also, 17.7K followers on Pinterest and 1.8K followers on Twitter. In addition, look at the Instagram insights generated by tanke.fr for his account. As per it, he has an engagement rate of 4%. His average likes are about 2,224 per post. Further, his average comments are about 26 per post.
7. Varun Patel
Varun Patel is an Ahmedabad-based fashion photographer. He is a freelancer and social media photography influencer. Patel quit a career in IT to pursue his passion for photography professionally. As a reputed fashion photographer, he worked for many international clients and magazines. They include The Financial Times London. Further, Varun Patel runs a website called varunpatelphotography.com. Here, he shares his photographs and information on his workshops. Above all, he also shares his blog posts and provides solutions to his clients. Moreover, he owns a well-known Photography Institute in India. He works as a mentor at the institute. His courses are available on photographyinstituteahmedabad.com.
As of March 2021, Varun Patel has 49K followers on Instagram. He has 14.6K followers on Facebook and 4.1K subscribers on YouTube. Also, 422 followers on Twitter. His YouTube channel has good photography and Photoshop tutorials. In addition, look into Varun Patel’s Instagram report by starngage.com. As per it, he has an engagement rate of 3.9%. His average likes are about 1,886 per post. Further, his average comments are about 12 per post. The majority of his followers are male (78.9%). He loves to post on topics related to photography, portraits, and modeling.
8. Hari Menon
Hari Menon is a Kerala-based photographer. He is a self-taught artist. Further, he is a travel enthusiast and social media photography influencer. He conducts photography workshops for aspiring travel photographers in India. Hari Menon’s photographs have been featured worldwide. Most importantly, you can see his works in the Incredible India campaign. Also, in the Kerala & Karnataka Tourism promotions. His work include ‘Close to the Gods’ on Theyyam, a North Kerla-based ritual art form. Also, ‘Invisibles’, a pictorial depiction of Indian tribal cults.
He runs a website called harimenonphotography.com. Here, he shares his photographs and exhibits. Moreover, as of March 2021, Hari Menon has 1 million followers on Facebook. He has 92.6K followers on Instagram and 45 followers on Twitter. Look into Hari Menon’s Instagram report by starngage.com. As per it, he has an engagement rate of 3%. His average likes are about 2,741 per post. Further, his average comments are about 34 per post. In addition, the majority of his followers are male (68.5%). Further, he loves to post on topics related to photography and travel.
9. Deepti Asthana
Deepti Asthana is a Bareilly-based National Geographic Explorer. She is an independent photographer and a good storyteller. Further, she is a travel enthusiast and social media photography influencer. Deepthi Asthana’s work focuses on women. Mainly the untold stories of traditional societies of rural India. She has a keen interest in slow and long-form documentary photography. It allows her to truly capture the lives of the women she photographs. Moreover, her talent has won her many grants, awards, and accolades.
She has been a part of numerous photography exhibitions and talks. For instance, ‘A Thousand Thorns’, Digital Photography Festival in 2020. Moreover, as of March 2021, Deepti Asthana has 22.3K followers on Instagram. She has 3.4K followers on Twitter and 2K followers on Facebook. In addition, look at the Instagram insights generated by tanke.fr for her account. As per it, she has an engagement rate of 3%. Further, she has average likes of about 483 per post. Her average comments are about 7 per post.
10. Shreya Sen
Shreya Sen is a Mumbai-based photographer, feminist, dog lover, foodie. She is a music lover, and social media photography influencer. In addition, she is specialized in candid lifestyle photography. She prefers niches like weddings, maternity, kids, and pets. Further, Shreya Sen also does fine art portraits and editorials. She is a mental health advocate. Sen describes herself as a leader in creating minimal aesthetics. Moreover, Shreya Sen runs a website called shreyasenphotography.com. Here, her photography work and blog posts are showcased.
Above all, her works have been featured in many publications. They include The Hindu and Times of India. Moreover, as of March 2021, Shreya Sen has 37.5K followers on Facebook. She has 7.1K followers on Instagram and 1.9K followers on Twitter. In addition, look at the Instagram insights generated by tanke.fr for her account. As per it, she has an engagement rate of 3%. Moreover, she has average likes of about 141 per post. Further, her average comments are about 10 per post.
Which photography influencer did you like the most?
How did you like our list of the top 10 photography influencers in India and who did you like the most? Let us know your thoughts on this article by dropping a comment below. Feel free to ask any queries and we welcome your feedback.
In addition, you can also read Hobo Video’s list of:
6. Top 10 parenting influencers
8. Top 10 gaming influencers in India
9. Top 10 automotive influencers
11. Top 15 lifestyle influencers in India
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