Pushkar Camel Fair 2024

In 2009, during a life-changing trip across India with my best mate, I found myself at the Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan—a place where my journey as a photographer truly began. The fair, held annually on the edge of the desert, bursts with life, color, and energy. It’s a meeting ground for Rajasthani nomads who gather to trade camels, livestock, and stories, creating a spectacle unlike any other.

Pushkar and the Camel Fair is a photographer's dream. The vibrant saris and the intricate jewellery of the women, the weathered faces and proud moustaches of the men, and the endless movement of the fair itself provided me with endless inspiration. Since 2009 it was always a dream to return, and I did that this year; November 2024.

I spent the entire week shooting exclusively on film, balancing between 35mm and 120 formats, capturing moments that felt timeless. This project on a personal level revisits that unforgettable experience and very beginning of my photographic journey.

Puja

Back to the fair

Around Town

The Fairground

Last Sunrise amongst the Camels

The Last Sunset

Pushkar is encircled by small mountain peaks, one crowned by the charming Savitri Mata Temple. I trekked up to the temple for a breathtaking panorama of the city as the sun sank below the desert horizon. Sunsets in India are truly magical, painting the sky with pink and purple hues—perfectly captured on film :)

All photos were shot on my Mamiya 645, Leica R and Olympus OM1.