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Jai Thakur is an Indian documentary photographer from New Delhi. As an advertising postgraduate, Jai started his career as a copywriter in 2009 and since then worked with various agencies, consultancy firms and MNCs. His interest in photography developed while working as a Junior Artist in the Bollywood movie "Bhag Milkha Bhag". In 2013, he attended a weekend photography workshop and post that started practising on his own. So far Jai has covered more than 100 cities in India and Nepal and mostly his work revolves around the stories of the people and their respective socio-economic environment.
Other than the number of group exhibitions, he is a recipient of various national and international awards including the Water Hero Award by Govt. of India (Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR), National Geographic's MyIncredibleStory and Sahapedia Frames Grant. His work has been published in multiple books and platforms like HIPA Annual Book, FotoNostrum Magazine, Dodho Magazine, National Geographic, Picture of the Year - Asia, Indian Photo Arts Magazine, 121Clicks, Sahapedia, Street Photography India Book, Photographers Forum's Book, Edge of Humanity, Everyday India, Exposure Magazine and many more. He appeared in the MX Player web series “Express Yourself ” on River Conservation. As a member of the curation team, Jai has organised three editions of City Experience Festivals (Agra, Lucknow & Banaras). As a day job, he is working as a Business Research Analyst and practising photography simultaneously in the available time.
Contact: jaithakur0787@gmail.com | Other Work: IPM Films
GRANTS & AWARDS
2021: London International Creative Competition - Official Selection (Series)
2021 & 2016: Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) - Winner
2021: Photo Cinematica "Photo of the Year 2020" - Nominee
2019-20: National Geographic (MyIncredibleStory) - Winner
2019-20: Water Heroes Award by Govt. of India (Water Dept. RD & GR) - Winner
2019-20: HIPA (Water - Season 9) - Finalist
2020 & 2019: Sony All India Corporate Photography Contest - Winner
2019: Grantee of Sahapedia Frames Grant - Potters Community of Delhi
2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 & 2016: International Photography Awards - Hon. Mention
2020: One Eyeland Award - Finalist
2018: The Paris Photo Prize (P×3) - Winner
2018, 2017 & 2016: Monochrome Photography Awards - Hon. Mention
2018: Photographers Forum's Magazine Spring Awards - Finalist
2016: Moscow International Foto Awards (MIFA) - Hon. Mention
EXHIBITIONS/FILMs - Group Shows & Selections
2020: AIFACS 13th All India Photo Exhibition - AIFACS Delhi
2020: Shorted Short Film of the Year - Nominee (Yamuna: An Appeal)
2020 & 2019: Sony All India Corporate Photography - Mumbai
2018: Ras Se Bana Banaras - The Stainless Gallery
2016: Where the road leads - Lalit Kala Academy
2015: Sahitya Kala Parishad Annual Art Exhibition - AIFACS
2014: NiceFoto DPC - India Habitat Centre
2013: NiceFoto Jaipur Chapter DPC - Jawahar Kala Kendra
2013: 10th Jeevika: Asia Documentary Festival - India Habitat Centre
WORKSHOPS/PORTFOLIO REVIEWS
2021: Chobi Mela - Shortlisted for New Waves of Documentary, Practice as Research (A collaboration between Pathshala South Asian Media Institute and the VII Academy)
2020: Indian Photo Festival - Selected for Crafting a compelling visual narrative with National Geographic Photo Editor
2020: World Photography Organisation - Selected for Porfolio Review
2020: Tarzeer Pictures (For 16th Angkor Photo Workshops) - Selected for Porfolio Review
2020: Art Chain India - Selected for Porfolio Review
CITY EXPERIENCE FESTIVALS - Organizing Team Member
2019: Ras Se Bana Banaras - India Habitat Centre
2019: Andaz-e-Agra - The Stainless Gallery
2019: Hum -Fida-e-Lucknow - The Stainless Gallery
TALKS & INTERVIEWS
2021: Workshop on Documentary Photography - Dyal Singh College, Delhi University
2021: Interview with FotoNostrum Magazine
2020: Interview with 121Clicks
2020: Interview with Stop Acid Attack (Chhanv Foundation)
2020: Interview with Sahapedia Frames (Sahapedia)
2020: Interview with EatMyNews
2020: Interview with FO2
2020: Interview with PhotoCommune
2020: Guest Speaker at Corporate Event - Balancing Work & Passion
2018: Corporate Workshop on Smart Phone Photography
2017: Guest Speaker at Army School
2017: Corporate Workshop on Photography - Multiple Sessions
