Parvathi Kumar earned her crown as Pure Street Photography’s Grant 2025 1st Place Winner. She captures stories words cannot hold as every frame becomes a revelation and every shadow a verse. Her work dances with light and geometry, transforming fleeting moments into timeless poetry. An unforgettable force in contemporary street photography, her story is only just beginning.
An Exclusive Interview with Pure Street Photography
Discover how for Kumar, respect and safety are essential, and how true magic begins when we let go of expectations and stay open to the unknown. Patience, humility, and even mistakes become the real teachers, guiding photographers toward growth. The true reward is never in numbers or likes but in the joy of creating with authenticity.
Interview by Dimpy Bhalotia and Kamal Kumaar Rao
17/09/2025
(c) Parvathi Kumar
(c) Parvathi Kumar
We would love to know more about you! Who you are and where you're from? When did you start street photography?
I’m Parvathi Kumar, born and raised in eastern Canada, of South Indian (Karnataka) origin, and currently based in NJ, USA. Though I didn’t formally study photography (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science degrees got the better of me!), photography has been my lifelong passion, thanks to my mother who initiated me in the art in high school. I believe my first ‘street photo’ was taken from a train from Bengaluru to Mysuru, India in 1990, an unexpected scene juxtaposing words and action, a moment that has always stayed with me, from back before I knew there was a genre called ‘street photography’. I have always been a wanderer or “flâneuse”, embracing unknown territory and allowing my senses to take in the novelty of the unfamiliar. I kept doing this ‘candid public photography’ alongside other fine art / travel photography, but didn’t truly focus on and study street photography until 2020 or so.
What inspired you to become a street photographer?
Though difficult, street photography felt like the right fit for me, as it is rooted in being present. To notice, compose, and creatively capture what is “hidden in plain sight” in a fraction of a moment requires high alertness, patience, and skill. There is nothing easy about it! But the work I saw and keep seeing by many outstanding street photographers simply captivates me and inspires me because it resonates exactly with what I had been trying to do all along. The teachings I have learned from various workshops, online courses, mentors, and peers continue to shape and inspire me.
How would you describe your work in terms of style and/or approach?
I love to play, experimenting with light, color, geometries, and scenes/activity, as I find them. I don’t generally know ahead of time what to expect when I visit a place. I may have some background knowledge, some ideas in mind on what to shoot, but I always leave the door open for surprises, the unknown. Ultimately, I keep myself open to what unfolds for interesting compositions and take advantage of the medium (camera settings) as needed for artistic effect. Most of my best work has a simplicity to them, and I like to create more poetic works.
(c) Parvathi Kumar
(c) Parvathi Kumar
Congratulations on winning 1st place in the Pure Street Photography Grant 2025, Parvathi! How has this journey been for you—from submitting your work to now being part of the upcoming exhibition in Rome as one of the official winners? What does this recognition mean to you, and how do you feel about your photograph being showcased internationally this September?
Thank you so much! It’s all rather surreal! I’m honored and delighted, my first time having this kind of recognition! In the instant that I made that photo in Casablanca, Morocco in Feb 2024, in my heart I knew this was a strong image. Receiving this kind of appreciation as 1st Place is above and beyond what I had expected! To gain this international spotlight is simply marvelous, and I am utterly grateful.
(c) Parvathi Kumar (USA), 1st Place Winner, “Of Olives & Ovals!”
What is your photography routine like? Do you photograph every day?
I try to do street photography as often as possible which is generally on weekends and on travels. But I continue to learn about the medium itself, its other genres and possibilities, and so I pay attention to my surroundings for photo opportunities, whether at home or out and about, street photography or not.
What camera or mobile device do you use for photography? Do you shoot digitally, on film, or a mix of both?
I currently use both my iPhone 16 Pro and Fujifilm XT5. I “grew up” on manual film photography (a Minolta x700 passed on from my mother) for 15 years before switching to digital in 2003, so I try to use some of the practices from then, namely to take the time to slow down, observe, and compose before hitting the shutter, even though moments are fleeting in street photography. I am all for “working the scene” and trying different takes when a moment/scene allows and requires, and so I am grateful for the freedom and space digital provides for trial and error, and I don’t see myself reverting to film for now! I also find that both cameras are useful, with benefits to having both depending on the situation.
What challenges do you face when photographing on the street?
One must always be safe and respectful of surroundings, local customs and laws. Beyond that, I think the true challenge is to be completely open, to let go of preconceived notions, and to truly SEE. To be in that fully present state is when the magic happens.
Do you ever wonder what happens to the people in your photos?
I do! I may ponder where they are now, where life has taken them, and wish them well! For some of my images that have been shared widely, such as this one that won 1st Place, I often think “If only they knew…!”
(c) Parvathi Kumar
(c) Parvathi Kumar
In your opinion, what is the biggest misconception people have about street photography?
That it’s easy! Also, the name of the genre is a bit misleading when people initially hear it, as one instantly assumes only urban scenes and urban issues, rather than the wider scope street photography encompasses, its poetry and art
What are your favourite elements to capture in a street photograph? (light, colour, composition, human interaction, etc.)
My favourite elements to shoot and play around with in street photography are geometries, reflections, shadows, abstracts, color and color combinations, light varieties, subtle moments, close-up details, textures, and vantage points. I love to play, and generally aim for “simple and elegant”!
What is your take on social media influence on street photography?
Alas, the blessing and the curse of social media! I fully embrace the community of photographers and artists I’ve come to know and consider my dear friends from all over the world! I love the amazing variety of outstanding work I see in photography and other art forms. It’s been a great educational tool as well, to learn about the genre itself, and find opportunities for workshops, festivals, exhibitions, photo walks, etc. But when creating one’s own work, while being inspired by others is wonderful, ultimately one tries to find their own unique expressions and styles. And when posting and sharing, one should not count on the algorithms or number of likes/comments to deem one’s images as good/bad, as it is not what matters.
Are your prints available for purchase? If so, where can art buyers and collectors contact you to purchase them?
Yes, my prints are available for purchase! Some images are on my website, and other images seen on my social media are also available. Please email me at pkumar@parvathikumar.com or DM me through my Instagram or Facebook pages.
(c) Parvathi Kumar
(c) Parvathi Kumar
What advice would you give to aspiring photographers?
Keep practicing, keep learning. Be safe, considerate, respectful, and be prepared to invest the time! Surround yourself with those you respect, admire, and trust in the field, whether through good books, websites/ online resources, courses and workshops. Allow yourself to make mistakes, to grow, evolve, and adapt as needed. Be open to the unknown, be Present, slow down, and above all enjoy the process!
A huge thank you to (c) Parvathi Kumar for sharing her incredible journey.
In Frame : Parvathi Kumar