Arjun Yadav
Arjun Yadav (he/him) is a Toronto-based photographer passionate about telling stories through photography. His work aims to capture the magic in life’s everyday moments and places. Whether through landscapes or aerial perspectives, he invites viewers to see the familiar world around them in a new light.
Hi Arjun! Tell us a little about yourself — when did you first become interested in photography and how did you get to where you are today?
My journey into photography started during my undergrad at the University of Toronto. At the time, I was really into building drones as a hobby. I loved tinkering with technology and seeing how I could make something work in a new way. Eventually, I decided to attach a camera to one of the drones I had built, long before photography drones became commercially available. That was a game-changer for me!
Getting that unique aerial perspective really opened my eyes to how different the world looks from above, and it sparked something in me. I started thinking more about photography as a way to capture the beauty of places from angles and perspectives that weren’t easily accessible. This led to an interest in aerial photography and travel—wanting to visit new places and document them from the sky.
“My work is driven by a love for storytelling through light, the passage of time, and the changing seasons.”— Arjun Yadav
What are your favorite subjects or themes to explore, and why?
I love shooting landscapes and aerial photography because they allow me to explore the world and serve as an excuse to travel to new and exciting places. My work is driven by a love for storytelling through light, the passage of time, and the changing seasons.
Your photos are beautiful: both calming and colorful at the same time. How did you find your own photography style?
Thank you! That is a great question. Finding my photography style has definitely been a journey, and it’s evolved over time. At first, I just took photos of whatever caught my eye, but as I learned more about composition, lighting, and color theory, I started to gravitate toward certain themes.
A big influence in shaping my style has been the paintings of Edward Hopper. His ability to capture a certain loneliness and stillness in everyday moments really resonates with me. There is a certain calmness in the the way he uses light and shadow to create mood that I try to emulate in my own work and I think my style continues to shift as I experiment with new techniques and perspectives.
What has been one of your favorite projects to work on so far? What would be your dream creative project or subject to shoot?
Working with VSCO as one of their photography ambassadors and also later on working on creating a VSCO preset (WE6 and WE6 PRO) based on my photographic style has been one of my favourite projects I have worked on.
What's the most impactful feedback you've received on your photography, and how did it influence your development as a photographer?
One of the most impactful pieces of feedback I received early on was to capture as much of what I want to convey in-camera as possible, rather than relying heavily on post-processing. This advice pushed me to be more intentional with my compositions, lighting, and camera settings. It also taught me to be more patient—waiting for the right conditions, experimenting with different angles, and refining things at the shoot rather than fixing them afterward in post.
What’s your creative process like? Walk us through your process of creating and putting together a shoot.
My creative process is usually sparked by something that intrigues me—whether it’s a new spot I’ve come across while location scouting (which often involves a lot of driving around) or a place I’ve already visited but want to capture in a different season or time of day. I also use Google Earth to find potential locations that look appealing from above. Once I’ve chosen a location, I consider the best lighting and conditions, often planning around weather, time of day, and season. From there, it’s about being present, observing how the light interacts with the landscape, and letting that guide the final composition.
If you could only choose one camera body and one lens in your kit, which would you choose?
I think right now I would choose my trusty old Fujifilm X-H1 with the 33mm f/1.4 lens.
What tools and techniques do you use when it comes to post-processing your images?
I primarily process my RAW photos in Adobe Lightroom, where I fine-tune tones, exposure, and other stylistic choices to achieve the look I envision. Once I’m satisfied with the base edit, I export the image to VSCO for color grading, as I find that their presets add a unique character and that extra special sauce that makes the photo stand out.
What advice would you give to new photographers who are just starting out?
Always keep shooting. Experiment with new techniques and subjects until you find your niche.
What are you currently working on now and what’s up next for you?
Currently, along with other creators, I’m working on a year-long collaboration with Destination Canada—the official government tourism organization of Canada—and potentially some brand deals in the near future, while also building and growing my personal portfolio.
