Mumbai Photo Community Hits 12,700 Members Through Mentorship

When Prerna Kale and Hitesh Baldota started MumbaiOgraphy in 2016, they built it on a simple promise: knowledge matters more than money.

Eight years later, their photography community has blossomed to over 12,700 members who gather every two weeks for photo walks, workshops, and group discussions. The founders fund everything from their own pockets, turning down sponsors who just want to sell products.

"We do personal mentorship through social media like WhatsApp groups," Kale explains. The community helps photographers improve through tips, feedback, and hands-on assistance during shoots.

The approach works remarkably well. The community grew from 500 to 2,500 members within just a few months of launching. Members now span multiple cities across India and submit photographs from around the globe.

MumbaiOgraphy recently held its third exhibition at Mumbai's iconic Jehangir Art Gallery, where art lovers naturally gather. A panel of expert judges selects only the most worthy photographs based on open themes and current topics.

The community runs different types of competitions to keep members engaged. Live competitions give photographers two hours at a chosen location to capture their best shots. Instagram contests and archive photo challenges offer prizes like photography magazines.

The Ripple Effect

What started as a local photography club now influences the broader creative community. Other groups from different cities have approached MumbaiOgraphy to conduct photo walks and lectures, spreading their knowledge-first philosophy.

During the pandemic lockdowns, the founders pivoted to webinars where experts from different genres conducted slideshow presentations. The virtual format helped the community stay connected when in-person gatherings became impossible.

Members pitch in to help complete tasks, creating what Kale describes as a growing family. The community includes a large panel of accomplished practitioners who give feedback specific to each photography genre, from wedding photography to tabletop shots.

Kale, who studied advertising, and Baldota, an engineer by training, stay current by reading constantly. They need to answer member queries about emerging trends like smartphone photography and artificial intelligence tools that are transforming the field.

Looking ahead in 2025, MumbaiOgraphy plans more workshops and photo walks. "Our photowalks are always the talk of the town, as a lot of knowledge sharing ideas and in-depth discussions take place while clicking," Kale says.

A family that stays together grows together, and this Mumbai photography community proves it every day.