Strike the pose, there’s nothing to it
NEW DELHI — It’s election season in India, and that can mean only one thing for Umesh Sabharwal: portraits of politicians.
Every five years, Sabharwal’s Studio Prem becomes a haven for office-seekers looking to get their photos taken by the photographer, who has reputation for having the magic touch when it comes to capturing a politician’s essence. Politicos in turn use these portraits for posters and handouts to prospective constituents.
Sabharwal is an irrepressible entrepreneur whose main business is shooting lavish wedding photography and videos. He has a team of some 90 people — photographers, videographers, editors, post-production specialists — who run his image factory. But every election season, he’s called on by a range of candidates, everyone from local Delhi parliamentarians to far-flung public servants from states like Bihar and Himalchal Pradesh. All make the trek into Delhi to sit with the master or someone on his staff.
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