Herald Café: Are you still open to accepting modelling assignments? Sheetal Mallar: I am working as a full time
photographer now. I don’t model anymore really; I might do a one off thing for a friend once in a while.
HC: When and how did photography happen? Do you have any mentors? SM: I didn’t undergo any formal training in
a school. I started pursuing my passion for photography seriously about 6 years ago. Having been in the fashion industry and having been around cameras, I had the chance of being around and observing photographers closely. I
guess my interest and love for the medium led me
to photography. There is inspiration everywhere,
in contemporary and classic photographers and
artists. I didn’t have any real mentor. But I did
have good photographer friends who always
supported me and were there when I needed
them.
HC: Your website doesn’t mention anything
about you as a model. Is that a conscious
exclusion or is it because you’re a popular name
and people know you as a model anyway?
SM: On my website, I just focused on the
photography part of my life in the ‘about me’
section, since that seemed relevant. I don’t see it
as an exclusion.
HC: The Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2011
assignment that you shot, includes a lot of
behind the scenes / stage shots. Did you miss
being on the ramp and in front of the camera?
SM: Shooting Blenders… was fun since it’s an
environment that I was a part of. Most of the
people I was shooting were friends of mine. So it
was easy. I don’t miss being on the stage as I have
had a fulfilling career with modeling. I am happy
to be behind the camera now and I am really
enjoying it.
HC: Which has been your most challenging
assignment as a photographer till date?
SM: The Dharavi assignment was physically
challenging. But it was very satisfying.
HC: Tell us about your future photography
projects.
SM: I like working on a few projects
simultaneously. Currently I am working on a series
of an Italian Gypsette and urban couples.
