Our Team
Rajesh Pandey (Founder)
Rajesh Pandey is the founder of Light Academy of Photography and is qualified from JJ Institute of Applied Arts, Mumbai. He is into photography profession since 1980 and worked on 3 generation of Photography right from Black & White film era, colour to Digital Photography. He worked for Mumbai Doordarshan, Indian Express, Times of India and several Corporate Industry, He was the visiting facility member at various colleges. He has indepth knowledge of Photography and makes learning extremely enjoyable, combined with excellent teaching methods both practical as well as theory sessions. He spends considerable time showing how a professional photographer visualises, composes, plans and shoots to get the visualised image. He is easily assessable to his students to discuss on the assignments and career forward path.
He has conducted 100+ workshops on various topics in photography
The other faculty at Light Academy are aligned with the philosophy of the academy: share knowledge and the willingness to work with students who have varying learning curves.
Swapan Mukherjee
Studied photography at the Harrow Technical College and School of Art. England. There after worked for seven years at a studio, in Soho, London, well known for fashion and still-life. Since then, set up own studio, shooting fashion, beauty and some industrial work, in Pimlico, a suburb of Central London.
Won many international awards, notably “Beauty Photographer of the Year” awards of L’Oreal, U.K. for 3 consecutive years; 4 Bronze medals for contributions to the symposium and contest, “The World and Its People”, organized by Kodak of Rochester, U.S.A., 1st Prize for Architecture, awarded by Cokin of France. Many other awards for portraiture, architecture, sport from Black & White Spider Awards and others, awards for food campaigns from various Ad Clubs, around India.
Returned to India in 1985 to join the erstwhile women’s magazine, Eve’s Weekly, as the Chief In House Photographer. Seven years later set up my own studio, specializing in fashion and food photography.
Since 2010, teaching environmental portraiture, beauty and fashion photography at a well known school of photography in Mumbai.
Sagar Gotkhindikar
Sagar Gotkhindikar is Masters in Fine Arts & Diploma in Cinematography.
He is a Senior Commercial Photographer from Industry since last 25+ years. His work includes Food, Fashion, Product & Automobile photography for renowned brands & advertising agencies.
Director in Salt & Pepper Advertising Agency.
Worked as Assistant Professor at Symbiosis School of Photography Pune (Symbiosis International University).
Visiting Faculty at Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema & Entertainment (Mumbai University), Symbiosis Institute of Design (Symbiosis International University), Fergusson College.
He has conducted several Workshops & Seminars across India & Abroad.
FEW CLIENTS :
Atlas Copco, Thyssen Krupp Industries, Alfa Laval, Thermax India, Kalyan Silk, AVI Fashion, Rupali Fashion London, Bajaj Auto, Skoda, Mercedes Benz, Mahindra, Times of India, Sandvik Asia, Walchandnagar Industries, Tata (Telco), Galaxy Machine Tools, Redifussion DYR Advertising, Interface Advertising, FCB Ulka, Bets, Thought Blurb, Idea @ Work, Microlise
INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS :
Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Malaysia, London, Scotland & USA.
Dilip Yande
With 30 years of experience in this industry, Dilip Yandes Forte is fashion photography, portraits & still lifes. Mentored as visiting faculty in many institutes like Symbiosis, Udaan, Pearl Academy, Seamedu, L.S. Raheja etc., Mr. Yande has conducted workshops for Tamron & Canon. He is the official mentor for Fujifilm X series cameras, Godox lights, Vanguard, Sekonic light meters. More than 30 of his articles been published in Smart Photography magazine.
Somadatta Nhwakar
Somadatta Nhwakar has been working passionately in the field of photography and digital imaging since 2005. His curiosity and passion lead him to specialize in multiple genres including automobile, architecture, portraiture, product, food photography and post production techniques to create flawless images in software like Adobe Photoshop.
After completing his Art Teachers Diploma (ATD) and Diploma in Professional Photography and Digital Imaging, he taught for 5 years as assistant faculty. During his tenure, he has imparted quality education, actively interacted students in photography and has always encourage students to achieve the desired results. His application of photography skills and post-processing workflow allows him to create unparalleled images by using software’s like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Capture One Pro.
Somadatta Nhwakar today has ventured to have his own studio catering to numerous clients for their marketing goals.
Amit Bhandare
Amit Bhandare is a steadfast and animated professional photographer. Worked as an assistant professor at D.Y. Patil University, Symbiosis School of Photography. Undertake successful initiatives like creating a ‘Darkroom’ for exploring ‘Alternate photography printing processes’.
Researched on ‘Cyanotype Process’, ‘Carbon transfer print processes’ and a joint research paper on ‘Infrared Photography’ in different aspects to the world of photography.
Amit’s work in the world of photography is extremely diverse having team up with Ad. Agencies like ‘Mudra Communications’ and ‘Attitude’, magazines like ‘Style Speak and ‘Ideal Home and Garden’ tagging along with direct clients shows his love for new challenges and zeal in discovering new frontiers.
Showcased work at the ‘India Art Fair’ right up to conducting ‘International Photography’ tours for his students. His deep passion for photos is as clear as the lens on his camera.
Mrinal Pandey
Mrinal Pandey has done her Degree in Fine Art & Photography, She inherited photography passion from her father, since childhood she has assisted him in his commercial studio & workshops. She is passionate for Fashion & Product Photograph. She specializes in lighting.
Rajesh Pandey
(Founder)
Rajesh Pandey is the founder of Light Academy of Photography and is qualified from JJ Institute of Applied Arts, Mumbai. He is into photography profession since 1980 and worked on 3 generation of Photography right from Black & White film era, colour to Digital Photography. He worked for Mumbai Doordarshan, Indian Express, Times of India and several Corporate Industry, He was the visiting facility member at various colleges. He has indepth knowledge of Photography and makes learning extremely enjoyable, combined with excellent teaching methods both practical as well as theory sessions. He spends considerable time showing how a professional photographer visualises, composes, plans and shoots to get the visualised image. He is easily assessable to his students to discuss on the assignments and career forward path.
He has conducted 100+ workshops on various topics in photography
The other faculty at Light Academy are aligned with the philosophy of the academy: share knowledge and the willingness to work with students who have varying learning curves.
Swapan Mukherjee
Studied photography at the Harrow Technical College and School of Art. England. There after worked for seven years at a studio, in Soho, London, well known for fashion and still-life. Since then, set up own studio, shooting fashion, beauty and some industrial work, in Pimlico, a suburb of Central London.
Won many international awards, notably “Beauty Photographer of the Year” awards of L’Oreal, U.K. for 3 consecutive years; 4 Bronze medals for contributions to the symposium and contest, “The World and Its People”, organized by Kodak of Rochester, U.S.A., 1st Prize for Architecture, awarded by Cokin of France. Many other awards for portraiture, architecture, sport from Black & White Spider Awards and others, awards for food campaigns from various Ad Clubs, around India.
Returned to India in 1985 to join the erstwhile women’s magazine, Eve’s Weekly, as the Chief In House Photographer. Seven years later set up my own studio, specializing in fashion and food photography.
Since 2010, teaching environmental portraiture, beauty and fashion photography at a well known school of photography in Mumbai.
Sagar Gotkhindikar
Sagar Gotkhindikar is Masters in Fine Arts & Diploma in Cinematography.
He is a Senior Commercial Photographer from Industry since last 25+ years. His work includes Food, Fashion, Product & Automobile photography for renowned brands & advertising agencies.
Director in Salt & Pepper Advertising Agency.
Worked as Assistant Professor at Symbiosis School of Photography Pune (Symbiosis International University).
Visiting Faculty at Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema & Entertainment (Mumbai University), Symbiosis Institute of Design (Symbiosis International University), Fergusson College.
He has conducted several Workshops & Seminars across India & Abroad.
FEW CLIENTS :
Atlas Copco, Thyssen Krupp Industries, Alfa Laval, Thermax India, Kalyan Silk, AVI Fashion, Rupali Fashion London, Bajaj Auto, Skoda, Mercedes Benz, Mahindra, Times of India, Sandvik Asia, Walchandnagar Industries, Tata (Telco), Galaxy Machine Tools, Redifussion DYR Advertising, Interface Advertising, FCB Ulka, Bets, Thought Blurb, Idea @ Work, Microlise
INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS :
Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Malaysia, London, Scotland & USA.
Dilip Yande
With 30 years of experience in this industry, Dilip Yandes Forte is fashion photography, portraits & still lifes. Mentored as visiting faculty in many institutes like Symbiosis, Udaan, Pearl Academy, Seamedu, L.S. Raheja etc., Mr. Yande has conducted workshops for Tamron & Canon. He is the official mentor for Fujifilm X series cameras, Godox lights, Vanguard, Sekonic light meters. More than 30 of his articles been published in Smart Photography magazine.
Somadatta Nhwakar
Somadatta Nhwakar has been working passionately in the field of photography and digital imaging since 2005. His curiosity and passion lead him to specialize in multiple genres including automobile, architecture, portraiture, product, food photography and post production techniques to create flawless images in software like Adobe Photoshop.
After completing his Art Teachers Diploma (ATD) and Diploma in Professional Photography and Digital Imaging, he taught for 5 years as assistant faculty. During his tenure, he has imparted quality education, actively interacted students in photography and has always encourage students to achieve the desired results. His application of photography skills and post-processing workflow allows him to create unparalleled images by using software’s like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Capture One Pro.
Somadatta Nhwakar today has ventured to have his own studio catering to numerous clients for their marketing goals.
Amit Bhandare
Amit Bhandare is a steadfast and animated professional photographer. Worked as an assistant professor at D.Y. Patil University, Symbiosis School of Photography. Undertake successful initiatives like creating a ‘Darkroom’ for exploring ‘Alternate photography printing processes’.
Researched on ‘Cyanotype Process’, ‘Carbon transfer print processes’ and a joint research paper on ‘Infrared Photography’ in different aspects to the world of photography.
Amit’s work in the world of photography is extremely diverse having team up with Ad. Agencies like ‘Mudra Communications’ and ‘Attitude’, magazines like ‘Style Speak and ‘Ideal Home and Garden’ tagging along with direct clients shows his love for new challenges and zeal in discovering new frontiers.
Showcased work at the ‘India Art Fair’ right up to conducting ‘International Photography’ tours for his students. His deep passion for photos is as clear as the lens on his camera.
Mrinal Pandey
Mrinal Pandey has done her Degree in Fine Art & Photography, She inherited photography passion from her father, since childhood she has assisted him in his commercial studio & workshops. She is passionate for Fashion & Product Photograph. She specializes in lighting.
