Accredited Sports and Action Photographer from Delhi, India

Photography at Sundar Nursery – Portraits, Bird Photography & Hidden Landscapes in Delhi

Sundar Nursery is one of Delhi’s most underrated gems for photographers. Located in the heart of the city yet surprisingly peaceful, the space offers a rare combination of landscaped gardens, Mughal-era architecture, open green spaces, and biodiversity, making it an ideal location for portrait photography, bird photography, and lifestyle shoots in Delhi.

For me, Sundar Nursery has been both a creative escape from the chaos of the city and a versatile photography location that blends history, nature, and storytelling into one space.

A Hidden Photography Spot in Delhi

In a city as crowded and fast-paced as Delhi, finding a location that feels calm, visually rich, and relatively less crowded is extremely rare.

What makes Sundar Nursery special is that it combines:

Historical monuments and Mughal-style architecture
Landscaped gardens and open lawns
Birdlife and biodiversity
Controlled visitor access due to paid entry

The small entry fee automatically limits overcrowding, which is a huge advantage for photographers looking for clean compositions and uninterrupted shoots.

Bird Photography at Sundar Nursery

I initially visited Sundar Nursery with the intention of exploring bird photography in Delhi. Despite being located inside the city, the biodiversity within the nursery was genuinely impressive.

Some of the bird species I observed and photographed included:

Peacocks
Orioles
Hornbills
Red-naped ibis
Various smaller resident and migratory bird species like the White-breasted waterhen

The combination of trees, water bodies, open landscapes, and quieter surroundings makes Sundar Nursery surprisingly rewarding for urban bird photography.

While the location is not meant for large wildlife sightings, occasional mongooses and smaller urban wildlife can also be spotted around the grounds.

For wildlife photographers, Sundar Nursery becomes especially useful because:

Birds are relatively less disturbed
Natural light works beautifully in mornings and evenings
Historical structures create unique environmental compositions

White‑breasted waterhen agitated while protecting chicks nearby at Sunder Nursery, Delhi, India — wildlife photography by Jithin Thomas, Indian photographer specializing in action and athletics, captured with Nikon DSLR showcasing parental instinct, alert behavior, and authentic birdlife imagery.

A White Breasted Waterhen Agitated As Its Kids Were Nearby

“Beautiful peafowl posing gracefully with chick at Sunder Nursery, Delhi, India — wildlife photography by Jithin Thomas, Indian photographer specializing in action and athletics, captured with Nikon DSLR showcasing elegance, parental bond, and authentic birdlife imagery

A Beautiful Peafowl Posing Perfectly Along With Its Kid

Red‑naped ibis standing gracefully against beautiful natural background at Sunder Nursery, Delhi, India — wildlife photography by Jithin Thomas, Indian photographer specializing in action and athletics, captured with Nikon DSLR showcasing elegance, habitat, and authentic birdlife imagery

A Red-Naped Ibis In a Beautiful Background

Portrait & Maternity Photography

Beyond wildlife, Sundar Nursery is also one of the best locations in Delhi for portrait and family photography.

The monuments and landscaped pathways provide:

Elegant natural backdrops
Soft earthy tones for portraits
Symmetrical Mughal architecture
Clean greenery for lifestyle shoots

I personally used the location for a maternity photoshoot for my wife, and the results turned out beautifully because the environment naturally adds warmth and timelessness to photographs.

The location works particularly well for:

Portrait photography
Couple shoots
Family photography
Maternity photography
Pre-wedding and lifestyle sessions

Photography Restrictions & Practical Considerations

While Sundar Nursery is photographer-friendly overall, there are a few important restrictions visitors should be aware of.

One key rule is that:

Tripods and monopods are generally not allowed inside the premises

This means photographers need to rely on:

Handheld shooting techniques
Fast lenses
Stabilization through body posture or bean bags where possible

Fortunately, the lighting conditions in the nursery are generally good enough for handheld photography during daytime.

The controlled entry system also helps maintain the cleanliness and peacefulness of the location, which improves the overall shooting experience.

Creative Possibilities at Sundar Nursery

One of the biggest strengths of Sundar Nursery is its versatility as a photography location.

Within a single visit, photographers can explore:

Architectural photography
Landscape photography
Bird photography
Portrait storytelling
Natural light photography

The changing seasons also alter the visual feel of the nursery, making it a location that can be revisited multiple times for different styles and moods.

A Rare Balance of Nature & Heritage

What truly stands out about Sundar Nursery is how naturally it blends Delhi’s historical heritage with urban biodiversity.

Very few locations in Delhi offer:

Monumental architecture
Rich greenery
Birdlife
Low crowd density
Controlled aesthetics for shoots

For photographers, this combination creates endless opportunities for both creative and documentary-style photography.

Final Thoughts

My experience at Sundar Nursery has been incredibly rewarding, both creatively and personally. Whether it was photographing birds in natural light or capturing maternity portraits against historic backdrops, the location consistently offered visually rich and emotionally meaningful frames.

For anyone interested in portrait photography, wildlife photography, or landscape photography in Delhi, Sundar Nursery remains one of the most versatile and beautiful locations in the city.

It is a reminder that even within a busy metropolitan environment like Delhi, hidden pockets of calm, biodiversity, and artistic inspiration still exist.