I draw sketches with light, says Bharat Arora

Be it the construction equipment, crane or any construction project site, Bharat Arora has always been there with me. His photographs have been published on cover of leading magazines. 

New Delhi, 21 March 2025 | Nirmesh Singh

Bharat Arora doesn’t just capture images; he crafts stories, infusing life and movement into every shot. Whether he’s photographing massive construction machines or the world around us, his ability to capture the essence of light is unmatched.

He says, I draw sketches with light. His creativity knows no bounds.

I first met Bharat during my early days in journalism when I worked as a correspondent for a leading infrastructure magazine. He was a photographer, and from the moment we began working together, I could sense his daring nature and unyielding passion for photography. Our first major assignment took us to the rugged terrains of Himachal Pradesh, where I was covering hydro projects and tunnels. Bharat was there, camera in hand, capturing every moment — especially the heavy Sandvik machines working in the tunnels.

On another assignment, we found ourselves at a Leighton site in Gurgaon, where he was tasked with getting the perfect shots of the equipment in action. As I stood there, pondering how best to capture the scene, Bharat turned to me with his trademark spark and suggested, “Let’s climb the tower crane.” Without hesitation, we both ascended to the top, clicking photographs from a vantage point that most would shy away from.

Over the years, we worked together on numerous projects, documenting everything from construction sites to construction machinery and cranes. However, as time passed, I moved on to different media organizations, and we lost touch for a while. But, as fate would have it, our paths crossed again last year.

This time, Bharat showed me his latest work, which featured the Manitou equipment. Through his lens, the machines seemed alive — each frame evoked the feeling of motion, of power, and of purpose. It was evident that Bharat’s eye for detail had only sharpened with time, and his work had evolved into something truly extraordinary.

Bharat Arora is a versatile and accomplished photographer, specializing in a wide array of subjects, including automobile photography, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, lifestyle, hospitality, product shoots, branding, and corporate profiles. There are few things he can’t capture with his lens. Over the past two decades, he has worked with numerous creative agencies, advertising firms, and PR agencies, earning a reputation for his innovative and dynamic approach to photography.

An entrepreneur at heart, Bharat ventured into the business world at the young age of 18, and by 2005, he founded his own venture — Bharat Arora Photography. His journey in photography has been guided by a deep passion for the craft, and he honed his skills with formal education, earning a diploma in photography from the Indian Institute of Professional Photography (IIPC).

For Bharat, originality is the cornerstone of any brand campaign.

“Originality is the most important part of any brand campaign, as it belongs to your brand and no one else. It sets the whole tone of the campaign, because with the right imagery, you capture attention and convey the brand’s message authentically, which eventually creates brand credibility,” he says.

When talking about brand campaigns, he emphasizes the importance of the right photography. “You get only one chance to make the first impression, to get noticed, and then to be remembered. Using common stock imagery that is available to everyone does the exact opposite. By being original, you stand out more easily and create a distinctive and memorable experience,” Bharat adds.

In his illustrious career, Bharat has completed photoshoots for some of the world’s most renowned brands, taking on international assignments in the UK, Russia, Bangkok, and other countries. His work has made an impact across borders, reinforcing his reputation as a photographer of global calibre.

At the end of our conversation, Bharat reflects on the essence of his work. “Photography tells a story, but telling the right story isn’t easy,” he says with a smile. And indeed, he has told countless stories through his powerful photo essays and striking images. As he looks ahead, Bharat is excited for the stories yet to be told, and the many more moments he will capture in the years to come.

Bharat Arora’s ability to weave light, originality, and emotion into his photography ensures that his legacy as a storyteller will only continue to grow.

But before I left his studio, he photographed me in black and white, and that was when he told me, “I draw sketches with light.”
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