Behind the Frames — A Photographer’s Reflection on 2025 | Part 01

As we moved from 2025 into 2026, a lot happened in the world—but this reflection isn’t about that.

My world, my life, and my photography went through their own set of twists and turns in 2025. It wasn’t a flat year by any measure. A lot of work unfolded quietly yet relentlessly throughout the year. From pitching to execution, the process was intense—sometimes overwhelming—but it shaped the outcomes in ways I couldn’t have planned otherwise.

To reflect on this journey, I’ve chosen three images from 2025. I’ve divided them into three parts, each representing a moment where emotion, intention, and raw decision-making came together behind the frame.

Rooftop Deck - Amaraya By LaRiSa

This image gave me a strong start to 2025.

I was presented with this space at a pre-opening boutique hotel nestled in Uttarakhand—surrounded by majestic peaks, serene rivers, and rich flora and fauna. From the very first moment, the location carried a quiet power. My intention was clear: to create a frame that allows the viewer to inhale the ambience—to feel drawn into the space and sense why they would want to be there.

I wanted the image to offer more than architecture. I wanted it to suggest experiences—vast mountain views, surreal sunsets, slow evenings, and conversations that stay with you long after the journey ends.

When I arrived on the first day and saw the space in its raw form, I was honestly clueless. I had no fixed idea of how the final image would look. The client gave me complete creative freedom, which is both a gift and a responsibility. The stylist, the client, and I sat together, discussed the space, and brainstormed possibilities. Somewhere during that conversation, I felt strongly that this frame had the potential to become a hero shot—one that visually defines the soul of the property.

Once I communicated my vision—the mood, the emotion, the stillness I was trying to achieve—the stylist, someone I’ve always enjoyed collaborating with, translated that vision into reality. As the sun began to set, the sky unfolded exactly as you see it in the image. Sometimes you plan everything right, and sometimes nature decides to collaborate. I’ll take that luck.

When the full setup came together, something still felt incomplete. The frame needed warmth—something subtle yet alive. Since a bonfire wasn’t possible due to the wooden flooring, I introduced a small fire element on the table. That single decision changed the energy of the image, adding warmth, intimacy and balance to the vastness around it.

This shot laid the foundation for my year in 2025. It gave me momentum, belief, and the motivation to keep pushing—to curate more thoughtfully, to trust the process, and to create images that don’t just show spaces, but make people feel them.

I really would like to thank Mr.Sanchit Wahi ( Chief Operating Officer at AM Hotel Kollection ) for giving me the chance to shoot this property, which has become my most memorable shoot in recent times.

I would also like to mention Ms.Sonia Bhardwaj ( Interior Designer & Co-owner of The Design Ally ), who understood my vision & gave it a reality with her styling experience. As mentioned, it's always a pleasure working with her & the way she makes us feel comfortable during the shoot process.

Yatinder Kumar is available for commissioned projects in hotels, resorts, hospitality, and lifestyle photography.

(C) Yatinder Kumar Photography | 2026

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Alfresco Sitting with Beach View

So this shot is one where the entire alfresco area was a mess due to pre opening stage. The setup was nowhere close to what one sees in this final shot. As a photographer, this was the ideal chance to arrange the shot to my taste while maintaining a sellable area and avoiding overkill.

It was the final day I would be staying here, so self-visualisation was crucial to getting the right shot. So I just moved around a bit and thought about what light conditions it will be at dusk time. With the help of my great assistant & hotel team, I was able to get the alfresco area ready for the shoot well before time. But something was missing, so I thought to add some elements to the table so the mood sets in right. 

It took me 15 minutes to shoot with all exposures clicked, & with some lighting adjustments, I was able to get all the raw shots. The most important aspect was the self-visualization section, where I was able to closely visualize how this shot would turn out. Not to mention that during post-production my team did a very good job where they gave my vision a reality.

I am appreciative of my assistant, the hotel staff, and the weather. Without them, this scene would have been included in the pre-opening resort shoot in Chennai's Mahabalipuram as a hero shot.

Please review the connections to my work on this website.

Experiences that bring value to Life.
Images that can Create a Difference.

See you soon in the next one.