Interview with Sports Photographer - Avirup Mukherjee

From Kolkata Football Grounds to Professional Sports Photography

This interview encapsulates the journey and perspective of Kolkata-based football photographer Avirup, whose career evolved from shooting landscapes and fashion photography to covering football professionally as a freelance photojournalist. Through his experiences covering local tournaments and major football matches, Avirup shares valuable insights on learning through mistakes, understanding the importance of networking and social media, building experience through grassroots football, and adapting to the constantly evolving sports photography industry while staying passionate about the craft.

About Avirup

Avirup is a Kolkata-based football photographer whose journey reflects steady growth through passion and persistence. Starting with landscape and fashion photography at RAS Media, he gradually transitioned into sports as a freelance photojournalist with 90r Football. Today, through his coverage of local tournaments, I-League, and Indian Super League matches, he shares practical insights on learning through mistakes, building strong industry connections, and growing within the evolving world of sports photography

Q1. Where did you start your journey in photography? Which Company which genre (Sports/wedding/lifestyle/ product)?

I started my journey as a landscape photographer talking beautiful shots around the places then worked as an fashion photographer at RAS Media and then became an freelance photojournalist for 90r football .

Q2. What Do you like most about Sports Photography? Which Other Genre Do you like the Most

I like mostly covering football matches around kolkata whether he it's Indian Super League, I league [ Indian football league currently ] and local tournament matches so that I can make a good portfolio. 

Q3. Any mistakes which you had learned the most from? Can be technical as well as Practical mistakes related to photography 

One of the biggest lessons I learned was not paying enough attention to lighting and camera settings during fast-paced shoots, especially in sports photography. I also learned the importance of backing up photos immediately after assignments and always being prepared with extra batteries and memory cards. These mistakes helped me become more careful, technically stronger, and better prepared on shoots.

Q4. Any Tips for Sports Photographers Starting their Journey?

For anyone starting in sports photography, focus on understanding the game as much as the camera. Anticipating moments is just as important as camera settings. Practice shooting fast action, learn to work with lighting in different stadium conditions, and always be patient. Consistency, networking, and building your own style are what help you grow in the long run.

Q5. Any youtube / Instagram Channels or Photographers You follow the Most?

I mostly follow 433, Bleacher Report Football to get an example from the photographs they post on their social media as an sports photographer this helps on I will be taking in the next upcoming games . And talking about YouTube channels I mostly follow Talk Football HD and Football Byomkesh 

Q6. Any Financial Advice on photographers Struggling to Stay Afloat?

I should say that don't focus on money as a beginner and focus on working and gaining experience as much possible as you can and make connections while going to cover matches with other photographers. So that you can take experiences from them and money will come eventually at the end 

Q7. Any Tips on How to reach the Big Leagues In Sports Photography? LIke IPL/ISL/Pro Kabbadi League/Indian Polo Season? 

While starting this journey don't think about what are covering from my experience cover local league state level matches like eventually you will get recognition from your work and then go for the big tournaments like ISL, AFC , IPL gaining experience helps a lot you will come to know about many things . 

Q8. Everyone Want reels these days? Do you Think Photography is no longer in Demand?

No actually not like that people think due to Ai photography is becoming a less demanded field but not like that at the end you are taking shots and your getting featured on newspapers and media portals that helps to boost confidence.(Edited)

Q9. I noticed you have done both photography and social media handling professionally. Do you think having both skills together gives you a competitiev advantage over your peers when you apply for a photography gig?

Yeah this helps a lot at the end social media is the ultimate tool for getting recognised from your work people tends to see your work with fine details so this helps a lot having good social media audience.

Final Thoughts

The key insight from Avirup’s journey is that success in sports photography comes from steady progression rather than shortcuts. His experience shows how covering local matches, learning from errors, and building connections within the football ecosystem are essential to growing into higher-level leagues like the ISL and I-League.