(June 6, 2025) Raghuvamsh Chavali, a Hyderabad-born and Ontario-based photographer, has a way of noticing the quiet details that most people miss. His award-winning photo series Wings Over Concrete captures birds flying through cityscapes — graceful, often overlooked, yet full of presence. Set against hard urban backdrops, these portraits bring out a sense of stillness and wonder in the middle of chaos. The series won him first place in the Photo Project category at the 10th 35AWARDS, selected from over 473,000 global entries. But this recognition is just one milestone in a creative journey that continues to evolve with every frame.
His move from Hyderabad to Canada in 2021 marked a turning point — not just geographically, but creatively. The vast, quiet landscapes of Ontario demanded a new kind of patience and discipline. With long winters and fewer visible subjects, Chavali learned to slow down, wait, and engage with stillness in a deeper way. That shift is reflected in his work, which has since appeared in Canadian Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and BBC Sky at Night. Whether he’s chasing wildlife, birds, stars, or emotions, his photography remains rooted in storytelling and a personal sense of discovery. For Chavali, each image is not just a picture—it’s a pause, a perspective, and a piece of his ongoing exploration of the world and himself.
Roots in a happy childhood
Chavali grew up in the BHEL Township on the outskirts of Hyderabad, where nature and community coexisted in peaceful harmony. “My childhood was filled with nature and greenery, far from the noise of the city,” he tells Global Indian. It was here that his early love for the natural world took root, long before he picked up a camera.
His mother, a schoolteacher, and his father, who worked in the private sector, emphasised curiosity and creativity. Like any other kid, he loved playing cricket, swimming, and basketball but also found time for stage, music, and the arts.
Lighting a spark: A trip to Ooty
While photography came into his life in college, the defining moment arrived during a trip to Ooty, Tamil Nadu. “The breathtaking landscapes, sun rays filtering through tea plantations, and the captivating greenery of Ooty profoundly impacted me,” Chavali shares.
That experience broadened his horizons and inspired him to explore the diverse beauty of India. Since that pivotal trip, he has traveled extensively across the country.
A Tiger Named Arrowhead
One of Chavali’s earliest and most transformative photographic experiences came during his first wildlife safari in Tadoba National Park. “There I was, camera in hand, and suddenly this massive tiger walks right toward our jeep,” he recalls. The tiger, known as Arrowhead, gave Chavali a 20-minute front-row show. “I totally froze… It felt like she was staring right through me.”
That head-on shot changed everything, and he never looked back!
A self-taught professional
Never having taken part in formal training or mentorship, Chavali carved his own photographic path. “I feared being molded by others. I didn’t want to end up shooting like them,” he says. Learning alone meant no guidance, no validation, and a constant wrestling match with self-doubt.
Calling himself his harshest critic, he had to dissect and decode photography by studying light, emotion, and rhythm by watching others and relentlessly practicing on his own. Some days, he carried only a wide-angle lens, forcing himself to ignore birds and animals and focus on landscapes; other days, he did the exact reverse.
He states, “I wasn’t chasing moments; I was chasing understanding. I failed often, but that process taught me patience, restraint, and purpose. Eventually, I figured out a few areas that feel like mine, built on motion, shaped by light, and guided by narrative. Ironically, not having rules became my greatest creative freedom.”
A new landscape: Canada
When Chavali relocated to Canada in 2021, the transition brought both creative constraints and new possibilities. “The environment demands a different kind of discipline,” he says. Unlike India, where subjects are everywhere, Canada taught him patience in its purest form. Winters span nearly half the year, reducing bird and animal activity. “Every sighting becomes rare. You can’t just click; you have to craft.” The contrast between India’s vibrant energy and Canada’s calm, open spaces gave Chavali a new way of seeing the world. It helped him tell stories through his photos that feel personal but also connect with people everywhere. His work now reflects a mix of both cultures, creating a style that speaks across places and perspectives.
His pursuit of the Northern Lights is a case in point. Despite 30 to 40 attempts in subzero temperatures, he managed to photograph the aurora only a few times. He also tracked elusive creatures like moose, coyotes, and even a lynx through Canada’s frozen terrain. “The light was unfamiliar, the weather unforgiving, and the sense of space overwhelming,” he says. Yet these challenges honed his minimalism and deepened his connection to storytelling through stillness.
Crafting stories through images
Storytelling is central to Chavali’s work. He believes that every subject—living or not—has a personality. He explains, “Even the chair we’re sitting on might be silently screaming at us to get up,” he muses. One memorable series involved a lizard and an ant. “You’d expect the lizard to eat the ant, but instead, they posed side by side. No chase, no hunger, just stillness.” To him, this wasn’t just a photograph; it was a parable of unexpected companionship.
He’s selective about what he shares. “I shoot many stories, but I only share the ones that feel alive, layered, and quietly strange,” he says. These are the images that make him pause, even after the shutter clicks.
Inspirations and Influences
Chavali draws inspiration from artists like Joel Robison for conceptual storytelling and Thomas Vijayan for rare wildlife captures. He also credits renowned Indian photographer Sudhir Shivaram for a confidence boost. “He once said during an Insta Live session, ‘This is what a powerful portfolio should look like.’ That feedback still drives me.”
Publishing in outlets like the Smithsonian magazine has been both humbling and empowering, the photographer notes. He adds, “It’s one thing to create work that feels personal, but when it resonates on a global stage, it shifts your perspective. You begin to think not just as a photographer but as a narrator of visuals—someone shaping how others perceive a subject, a place, or even a moment in time.”
Currently a lead product consultant at a tech firm, Chavali integrates his analytical and creative sides seamlessly. “Observation is key in both roles,” he explains. “Photography trains you to notice what’s new. Product strategy is no different; you look for gaps and recommend scalable solutions.”
Challenges and anecdotes
With his dual focus on wildlife and conceptual photography, Chavali navigates a spectrum of challenges. “The true challenge in wildlife is narrating an animal’s life without intruding. Conceptually, it’s about staying authentic without succumbing to self-doubt.”
He’s not above a little self-deprecating humor. During his days at UnitedHealth Group in Hyderabad, he ran the office photography club. “I always reminded everyone: Bring multiple memory cards! Then guess who forgot his? Me. I had to borrow cards and laugh it off. This is the practical part of the lesson’!”
Beyond the Lens
Outside of photography and consulting, Chavali finds solace in music. Trained under the late Sri Mulagaleti Gopalakrishna garu, he actively composes Telugu indie tracks. His wife, Dr. Sailaja Devarakonda, a paediatric dentist turned oncology clinical researcher, remains his biggest supporter. “She plays the most important role in any recognition I have received,” he says. The couple enjoys hiking, traveling, and culinary explorations together.
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What’s next?
Chavali is currently working on publishing Wings Over Concrete as a photo book. He’s also experimenting with short films using AI-driven tools and developing an app based on his biometric watermarking patent to help artists protect their work.
His advice to emerging photographers? “Focus on stories, not trends or social media. Learn the rules, then try to break them.” In an era of infinite scrolls and instant likes, Raghuvamsh Chavali’s work stands as a quiet rebellion, one that asks us to slow down, look closer, and maybe, just maybe, feel a little more.
excellent deep thinking of a pic into drawing is nat an ordinary thing ….chavali keep on doing keen interest u hv u never neglect…..it’s one of millions drawing….very rare ……continue the talent not every one has….