️
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 Juinor Artist in a 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. He looks up to the works of master photographers Raghubir Singh, Alex Webb, Daidō Moriyama, Elliott Erwitt, Amit Mehra, Prashant Panjiar, Ami Vitale and GMB Akash as his inspiration.
Other than the number of group exhibitions, he is a recipient of various national and international awards including Sahapedia Frames Grant, Water Hero Award by Govt. of India (Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR) and National Geographic's MyIncredibleStory. His work has been published in multiple books and platforms like Dodho Magazine, National Geographic, HIPA.ae Annual Book, Indian Photo Arts Magazine, 121Clicks, Photographers Forum's Book, Edge of Humanity, Exposure Magazine and many more. He appeared in the MX Player web series “Express Yourself ” on River Conservation. As a day job, he still works as a Business Research Analyst and practising photography simultaneously in the available time.
GRANTS & AWARDS
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: Sahapedia Frames Grant - Kumbhar Community of Potters
2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 & 2016: International Photography Awards - IPA (Main & Theme) - Hon. Mention
2020: One Eyeland Award - Finalist
2020: Shorted Short Film (Documentary) - 3x Nominee
2018: The Paris Photo Prize (P×3) - Bronze
2018, 2017 & 2016: Monochrome Photography Awards - Hon. Mention
2018: Photographers Forum's Magazine Spring Awards - Finalist
2016: Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) - Hon. Mention
2016: Moscow International Foto Awards (MIFA) - Hon. Mention
EXHIBITIONS - Group Shows & Selections
2020: AIFACS 13th All India Photo Exhibition - Delhi
2020 & 2019: 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 - India Habitat Centre
2013: NiceFoto Jaipur Chapter - Jawahar Kala Kendra
2013: 10th Jeevika: Asia Documentary Festival - India Habitat Centre
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
PORTFOLIO REVIEWS & WORKSHOPS
2020: Indian Photo Festival
2020: World Photography Organisation
2020: Tarzeer Pictures (For 16th Angkor Photo Workshops)
2020: Art Chain India
TALKS & INTERVIEWS
2020: Interview with 121Clicks
2020: Interview with Stop Acid Attack
2020: Interview with Sahapedia Frames
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
