I met my grandfather through a photograph. He sits there in a vintage black-and-white piece of sturdy paper in our family album, holding a two-year-old me - my only proof of ever having received any grandfatherly love.

Growing up in a pre-Facebook and selfie world, where the sight of a camera augured an occasion, only photography gave you the privilege of touching memories again, a very tactile sensation to an otherwise imaginative exercise.

Between the literary imagery that Coleridge taught in university and the promise of visually capturing a moment - forever - on camera, I was smitten.

After fiddling with the gadget for a while, albeit with remarkable results I am told, I decided to train professionally, graduating from the New York Institute of Photography (NYIP), and working with some of the best photographers in the United States.

I am Swati Chakraborty, a Human Resources professional-turned-photographer, based out of the San Francisco Bay Area, California, whose aperture is her third eye and life, the ever-changing canvas of memories.

First and Second Place winner at the PPA (Professional Photographers of America) District Competition - Portrait  (Western District) 2019

4 Merits at the PPA (Professional Photographers of America) District Competition - Portrait (Western District) 2019

Honors of Excellence - Silver Distinction Award and 2 Silver Awards (Portrait) at WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) 16X20 Annual Print Competition 2019

Honors of Excellence Gold Award (Portrait) at WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) 16X20 Annual Print Competition 2018

Honors of Excellence - 4 Silver Awards  (Portrait) at the WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) 2018 second half online competition

Honors of Excellence Silver Award (Portrait) at the WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) 2017 second half online competition

Honors of Excellence Silver Award (Fashion) at WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) 2017

Photographer at the New York Fashion Week 2017.

Photographer at the New York Fashion Week 2016.

Photographer at the Wills India Fashion Week 2014.

Graduate of the New York Institute of Photography (NYIP) with two merit awards.

Freelance photographer for the 'India Today' magazine.

Member of WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International)

Member of PPA (Professional Photographers of America)

Photograph 'Weekend Swim' published in National Geographic Daily Dozen.