Instagram in India

As a professional photographer, keeping my creative juices flowing is a constant necessity AND a beautiful privilege. While in India, I feel like a kid in a candy shop, constantly over stimulated by the barrage of colors and textures and cultural nuances. While I generally have my trusty Nikons with me, I have really been enjoying keeping my creative brain waves active by just snapping imagery of everyday life using my good ole iphone.

Search for PWATTSPHOTO to follow my journey on Instagram in India.

Travel street photographer in India

Buddhist Tibetan Monks Dharamsala India
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Young Monks.

Don’t miss your chance to enter the drawing to receive your favorite image from this series.

All you have to do to qualify is leave a comment, and we will randomly select TWO people to receive their print of choice.
(US mailing addresses only, sorry)

WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13th

young monk imagery Tibet buddhism

emotional young buddhist monk from Nepal

young Tibetan buddhist monk in classroom

Tibet buddhist monk from Nepal

young boy Tibet buddhist monk Dharamsala India

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Refugee Status. A Documentary Project for Tibet

Tibetan refugees, India, Tibet, Documentary Photographer, Current Affairs, Culture

“Being clear about what we’re doing and why is the first step in doing it better. If you’re not happy about the honest answer to this question, make substantial changes until you are.” Seth Godin. Jan 15, 2013

Not a day goes by when I don’t have the extreme privilege of hearing stories of young Tibetans fleeing the Chinese government’s occupation of their land. The stories are shocking, filled with bravery, a fight for freedom and many times, end in tragedy.  Just today, a friend of mine told me his story of crossing the Himalayan Mountains (as they all do in order to get to India). He told me of being captured by the Chinese government the first 3 times he tried to escape, put in prison and then returned him to his home. The fourth and final time, he travelled for multiple weeks over the mountains, with some dying along the way. Food runs out, the temperatures are freezing, there are unmarked paths with dangerous cliffs. One young man fell to his death during their journey.

I want to help. This has inspired me to start a documentary project of these young adults, coming from Tibet, as refugees, holding on to their culture, learning for the first time about their country’s history (as it is mostly banned in Tibet to learn of their own history), all the while trying to embrace their new surroundings in India, separated from their families and from the way of life they’re accustomed to. A beautiful mixture of tradition and modern appeals. Starting a new life…. with “Refugee Status”.

This is the first image of the series.

(Sengye, shown above, is a young Tibetan man from the Amdo region of Tibet. He wears a traditional fur hat and necklace, identifying him as Amdo. He was raised in a nomadic family (as most are in that region), breeding yaks, sheeps and goats. He fled Tibet on the same night of his father’s return from being imprisoned by the Chinese government for 14 years. They didn’t see each other.)

Please feel free to share your thoughts, input and comments.

The Taj Majal India

The Taj Majal India

Nick and I had the incredible pleasure of visiting the Taj Mahal again. Despite the incredibly offensive heat (about 45C or 115F), we had a great time exploring and visiting this “wonder of the world“.

Of course, as a photographer, I am always intrigued to get another opportunity to shoot images for my stock portfolio as well as think creatively for different shots, since, lets face it, every photographer who has been to the Taj, has taken the famous reflection shot. It’s hard not to though. The Taj is a very symmetrical building, with great consideration by Mughal emperor Shah Jahanin in all its fine intricacies, and this is one of them. The reflection shot proves this nicely as well as frames a nice image of the front of the mausoleum.

Hope you enjoy the photos! THANKS!

Taj Mahal travel photographer clear sky stock photo
Luckily, the sky parted for some nice contrast and interest in the clouds.

India Taj Mahal interesting beautiful photography horizontal

unique Taj Mahal imagery photographer stock image

Taj Mahal documentary photographer India travel

beautiful Taj Mahal imagery photographer India silhouette vertical

reflection image of Taj Mahal photographer

 

Shop keeper man in Udaipur, Rajasthan India Stock Photography
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India::A Photographers Delight

If you’re a photographer and you’ve never been to India… go! India is full of vibrant colors, rich culture, and beautiful people! I had an amazing time walking and exploring the streets of towns like Jaipur, Udaipur, Puna, Jodphur, and they all have something unique and beautiful to offer. For instance, Jaipur, is the Pink Town, so much of the old Jaipur is painted in pink! Jodphur, on the other hand, is the Blue City, so most of the town’s buildings are blue! Its incredible. Here are a few clips from my time in India! If you’d like to see more, don’t hesitate to ask! I am always a ham to show my photography!

Old Woman in Goa, Stock Photography

Pink City Jaipur India Stock Photography travel photographer

Trip-Around-The-World
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Trip-Around-The-World

Well, its officially 12 days before my husband, Nick and I leave for our adventures overseas for 3 months! January 21- April 17! Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, South Africa, Mozambique, Argentina, and Cost Rica!
One of the reasons we are going to the 9 different countries we are visiting is, of course, photography! I am so excited to photograph the different sceneries and people groups- and even teach photography in Cambodia! Wow- chance of a lifetime! Another main purpose of the trip is to serve others less fortunate! We are teaming up with multiple different organizations to volunteer our time, services, and help wherever we can! That will include everything from loving and playing with children who have been orphaned in South Africa to volunteering our time and labor to help re-paint an orphanage in Thailand, to just being eager, willing people to serve others ! We couldn’t be more excited! Jesus said in Galatians, “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” and that’s what we intend to do – Show Jesus’ love to those who otherwise might not know what it’s like to be loved. I will continue posting pictures and stories of our time overseas and hope to be able to stay connected with whoever wishes! Also, if you are interested in booking Paula Watts Photography for assignments, please feel free to email me at paulawattsphoto@yahoo.com and we can discuss bookings for projects in April!