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Time to read 3 min
For our new series, ‘In Her Element’, we join forces with multifaceted creatives as they go unfiltered to share how they found their niche. We’re kicking off Episode 1 with fashion & beauty photographer, DJ, and music producer Anushka Menon.
Top magazine editorials, biggest music festivals — you name it, she’s done it.
Over a career spanning 20 years, this multi-hyphenate has broken new ground as one of the first female fashion photographers in India, having shot for the likes of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Rolex. Anushka has also played at Boiler Room India and Magnetic Fields, and is a Fujifilm X ambassador. Based between Goa and Mumbai, she is often found hopping timezones and switching up her piercings.
We caught up at her friend’s breezy seaside apartment on an overcast Tuesday, then headed to her studio for a beauty photoshoot. Read on for the full conversation
Tanzire: Firstly, how did you get into photography?
Anushka Menon: Born in Delhi and raised in Muscat, I was introduced to the thrilling world of image-making through a foundation course in arts, design, and communication. When I came back to India at 18, my passion for fashion photography took off during a diploma course at the International College of Professional Photography (ICPP) in Australia, offered through a Delhi college back in 2003. When I first started shooting I was pretty much the only female fashion photographer in India. I remember asking everybody to take me on as an assistant, but having a female photography assistant was just so frowned upon. But I just kept pushing; it was just a lot of hustling, knocking on doors, and doing unpaid work to build my portfolio.
T: What has your journey of finding your authenticity been like?
AM: Initially, I was imitating and recreating images I admired. As I started working on real projects, I realized the need to create original content, and my style began to evolve naturally from there. Finding my authenticity as a photographer has been my ticket to success. Respect for the audience's intelligence and emotional depth is crucial for me.
T: How would you define your niche right now?
AM: I switched from fashion to beauty photography because I saw a gap in the market — there weren’t many good beauty photographers in India. As a woman who understands beauty, skin, and products, I felt I could offer something different. I trained with a great beauty photographer, which helped me make the switch. I’m very in touch with my own body, so I can guide my models better and connect with them on a deeper level.
T: How do you balance your multiple passions, including music?
AM: Having two professions means I can switch between them when I'm feeling burnt out, which keeps me creatively fulfilled. Music and photography balance each other out — music being a universal language and photography being visually powerful. Combining them has been an interesting way to create unique, audio-visual experiences. I’ve even directed my own music videos.
T: What’s your relationship with jewelry and accessorizing?
AM: From a young age, I’ve been in love with body piercings and accessories. I used to go ham with my jewelry, but now my style is minimal — it's matured as I've hit my 40s. This evolution is reflected in my visual language for photography as well. I now go for delicate gold-plated jewelry, with a few standout pieces reserved for festivals or nights out. I have a standard set I wear all the time: my hoops, rings, and a necklace. I never really wore hoops before, but my best friend gifted me a pair shaped like skeleton bones, and they totally changed my look — they just highlight my face in a new way.
T: Tell us more about your piercings and tattoos.
AM: I started with ear piercings, then got my first nose piercing at around 12 or 13, followed by a belly piercing at 15. That’s also around when I started getting tattoos; my tattoos are kind of like body jewelry. I had a tongue piercing as well — which I had to hide from my parents for the longest time! I like the idea of having things on me that are not necessarily visible to everyone else. Ultimately, my body is a canvas for self-expression.
Watch Ep. 1 of ‘In Her Element’ here
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