Sameer Raichur is an independent Indian photographer based out of Bangalore and a member of Diversify Photo and Native Agency. He graduated with distinction from the Hallmark Institute of Photography; Turners Falls, MA in 2012 – necessary course correction after a brief stint practicing as a corporate lawyer.
He has an affinity for anachronistic socio-cultural practices, and memory and nostalgia are frequent themes in his work. He is particularly drawn to documenting ignored traditions and subcultures hiding in plain sight and is deeply interested in and continues to explore the thorny notion of masculinity and all its accompanying baggage through his work.
He is especially interested in portraiture, documentary photography and relies on editorial and corporate commissions to further his personal practice. His clients include Caravan Magazine, FT Weekend Magazine, Geo Magazin, GQ, The Indian Quarterly, Libération, Lonely Planet, LiveMint, Sueddeutsche Zeitung and Time Magazine
Sameer speaks three South-Asian languages - Kannada, Tamil and Hindi. He is a member of Diversify Photo and is available for commissions across India.
Awards and Recognition
Toto Funds the Arts, Tasveer Emerging photographer of the year, 2015.
Residency
bangaloREsidency-Expanded supported by the Goethe Institut at basis e.V. Frankfurt, September - December 2021.
Forum Art Gallery residency in association with Chennai Photo Biennale, 2019 awardee.
Workshops
VIII annual New York Times Portfolio Review, 2020.
Solo Exhibition
Forum art gallery, Chennai; Feb 22 - Mar 24. Chennai photo biennale, 2019.
Group Exhibitions
An Lanntair Arts Centre - Stornoway, Scotland; 7th Aug – 29th September, 2017. Fòcas India, 2017-2018 Document shortlist Exhibition.
Max Mueller Bhavan / Goethe Institut, Bangalore. November 6-18, 2015.
Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai. Focus Photography Festival, 2015 - ‘Call for Entries’ exhibit
1 Shanti Road, Bangalore. ‘Roti Kapda aur Makaan’ - The Essentials of living July, 2013.