Rakesh Kurra, the founder of Rakesh Kurra Photography and Modelling Agency, is an award-winning advertising photographer and a prominent creative force in the Indian fashion industry. While his portfolio is diverse, he is especially renowned for his expertise in both beauty and fashion photography. Kurra’s success stems from a unique blend of technical skill and a friendly, collaborative approach. This has enabled him to cultivate and maintain strong, lasting relationships with leading names in fashion and beauty publications across the country. He doesn’t just take pictures; he builds connections and works alongside his clients to bring their visions to life.
Kurra’s ability to capture vibrant, compelling images of his subjects is exceptional, whether he’s working in a studio or on location. He possesses a masterful understanding of natural light, a skill that sets his work apart. His shots are never washed out or overexposed, even under challenging conditions like bright, sunny days where a clear sky and a model blocking the light could pose a significant problem. He knows how to manipulate the available light to create depth, dimension, and mood, ensuring every photograph tells a story. This keen eye for detail and lighting is a cornerstone of his advertising photography.
His versatility is also evident in his interior shoots. He can take a blank white background and a single prop and transform it into a captivating scene that explores the overall mood surrounding a designer’s collection. Kurra’s approach is to tailor each shoot to the specific vision of the brand, ensuring that the final images are not just beautiful but also perfectly aligned with the client’s marketing goals. He often works with a solo model, capturing a series of poses and outfits that showcase the collection in a comprehensive way. The models he selects are always the perfect choice to showcase these styles at their highest potential, a testament to his expertise in both photography and talent management.
Before becoming a leading advertising photographer, Kurra honed his creative skills in a different medium: 3D animation. During this period, he worked for globally recognized companies like Disney and Nickelodeon, as well as many other American production houses. This background in animation provided him with a unique perspective on composition, storytelling, and visual aesthetics, which he seamlessly integrated into his photography. This experience taught him the importance of narrative and attention to detail, skills that are invaluable in the competitive world of commercial photography.
In 2012, Kurra took his passion for talent and creativity a step further by founding the rakesh kurra modelling agency. Through this agency, he has trained and cast a large number of aspiring models and actresses for a wide range of projects, including photo shoots, fashion shows, web series, and commercials. This hands-on experience in talent development gives him a distinct advantage, as he understands the nuances of working with models from both sides of the lens. His commitment to the industry doesn’t stop there. Kurra is also dedicated to nurturing new talent, regularly conducting fashion photography workshops all over India. He shares his knowledge and experience with budding photographers, helping to shape the next generation of creative professionals.
Rakesh Kurra’s expertise is not limited to just fashion and beauty. His extensive portfolio also includes advertising photography for various brands, newborn photoshoots, creating professional model portfolios, and event photography. His diverse skill set and deep industry knowledge make him a sought-after professional for a wide range of creative projects. Whether he’s capturing a stunning beauty shot, an impactful advertising campaign, or a cherished family moment, Kurra’s work consistently demonstrates his artistic vision and technical mastery.
For a glimpse into his work and creative process, you can follow him on his Instagram page.