“I Wish To Spread Love And Peace Through My Photographs” – A Chat With Yonten Gailly, Aspiring Photographer From Darjeeling, West Bengal

Today, we have an aspiring photographer, Yonten Gailly from Darjeeling who is currently pursuing his undergrad degree in New Delhi. Ever since he got his hands on a GoPro, an action camera, Yonten’s zeal for taking photographs began to develop and his travel experiences inspired him even more to go on pursuing photography. He love to travel to places and capture moments where he could show to people – what a beautiful world we’re living in and make them learn to cherish and preserve it – through his photographs.

We had a chat with Yonten Gailly, an aspiring photographer from Darjeeling, West Bengal. He talks about what inspired him to pursue photography and what he wants people to take away from his photograph!

Photo : Yonten Gailly, an aspiring photographer from Darjeeling

Hi! Please introduce a little about yourself.

My name is Yonten Gailly, 22-years-old from Darjeeling, West Bengal. I am currently living in New Delhi pursuing my B. Sc. in Hospitality from IHM Pusa. In my free time, I go indulge myself in various kinds of activities that involve photography. I have been concentrating on completing my education presently, and simultaneously pursuing my passion of photography along with travelling.

What initially sparked your interest in photography?

My interest in photography started in the year 2013 when I took a road trip with my friends to Bhutan. Whilst cruising the beautiful mountains of Bhutan, I realised that I wanted to capture all the beautiful moments I experience in my life. I started photography with an action camera called GoPro. Ever since, I began to learn so many things from the internet. I sharpened my editing skills through Youtube and practical experience. In 2017, I got a DSLR camera which expanded my photography style.

Yonten’s visit to his hometown Darjeeling, West Bengal

Yonten taking a bike ride to Himachal Pradesh

How has your roots influenced your working style?

I was born in a Buddhist household in Darjeeling wherein I was accustomed to various cultures and traditions. The diversity in culture helped me visualize various kinds of art and expanded my capability as a visual artist.

Where do you take inspiration from?

I have no specific individual or object that inspires me. I click photos of anything that incites me. For me, every individual, situation, face, colour is unique in its own way. Everyone has a different story to tell and I aspire to capture and retell the story with my photographs.

A beautiful shot of colourful Prayer Beads | by Yonten Gailly

Yonten’s one of his photography of a friend at Rajasthan

A Click of Qutub Minar at Delhi by Yonten Gailly

What gets you particularly excited about pursuing photography?

The beauty of the moment itself excites me the most and is one of the biggest reasons for pursuing photography.

Tell us about your most memorable photoshoot?

My most memorable photoshoot was when I went for vacation to Jaipur in November, 2018. The difference in culture between the city I was in and the place I was born in mesmerised me. Everything in Jaipur, starting from the historical monuments to their traditional attires, from the variety of food to the hustle-bustle of the markets, from the day to day life of the local vendors and guides to their amazing beautiful art, everything fascinated me. It is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited.

Yonten’s click of the beautiful Hawa Mahal at Jaipur, Rajasthan

Yonten’s photography of his visit to Jaipur, Rajasthan

What do you hope people take away from your photographs?

The main theme for my photos is “Peace” and “Nature’s Beauty.” I wish to spread love and peace through my photographs. My photographs also denotes that we live in a beautiful world and that we should learn how to cherish and preserve it.