A Polish photographer has sent the internet wild with her beautiful portraits of locals in India. Magdalena Bagrianow who’s originally from Żoliborz in Warsaw traveled to the South Asian continent to explore the country and discover its traditions.
Photographer Magdalena Bagrianow had spent months in India capturing portraits of its people showcasing just how unique and beautiful they are. The portraits are very powerful, bursting with emotions in each frame. While exploring South Asia, the photographer was learning more and more about traditions and local people.
Using her favored Canon 5D, the 44-year-old spent months traveling around the country and capturing the locals in stunning color in their natural environments. Many of the travel pictures were taken in their usual surroundings as well, only strengthening the sense of sincerity.
Although India’s population growth has been steadily decreasing since the beginning of the 1990s, the country still ranks as the second most inhabited. The 1,3 billion people that live there equate to about 17.5% of the total world population. If you’re interested in how the people there look – check out Magdalena’s amazing travel photography shots!
More info: Instagram
Portrait of a beautiful Kalbelia gypsy named Suman, taken at Pushkar fairgrounds
From her home in the UK where she now lives, Magda told TFN: “Creating a portrait that evokes a feeling, emotion or positive response from the viewer is what drives me but capturing connection with people is my greatest inspiration.
Magdalena Bagiranow / Nasza Klasa
Magda first got into photography 15 years ago after moving to Dubai as a singer in a Polish band.
Singing at night and working as a part-time photographer during the day, Magda’s first experience of India came in 2007.
Portrait of a Sadhu, Hindu Holy man, taken in the streets of Pushkar
“We often hear that the eyes are the window to the soul and in my view definitely the key to portrait photography.
“It is by looking into the person’s eyes that we get the feeling of their character, their emotions…it allows us to connect with them and get a glimpse of who they really are.”
Portrait of a cute gypsy boy, taken at the Pushkar fairgrounds
She said: “I immediately fell in love with this vibrant, alive country and it’s beautiful people.
“After some time it become apparent to me that what I want is to photograph people up close and personal.”
Beautiful Kalbelia girl with her baby sister. Portrait taken in the outskirts of Pushkar
Beautiful Suman from Kalbelia caste, portrait taken at the annual fair in Pushkar
She has since returned numerous times, travelling through Rajasthan and visiting the Pushkar Fair, one of the most famous and oldest livestock fairs in India, where she finds most of her inspiration.
She explained: “Thousands of rural families visits Pushkar over a period of 12 days – camel traders and beautiful nomadic children and women is what attracts me to this place and I was fortunate to become friends with many of them over the years.”
Portrait of an old Rajasthani woman, taken in the streets of Pushkar
Papu and Mamtu, mother and daughter from the Bhopa caste, both considered to be one of the most beautiful women in Rajasthan
Now Magda who put her photography “on hold” to work as a carer at a residential home for people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia has been approached by galleries in London and Milan.
“Definitely it would be great to have my first exhibition in the near future. I still want to go back to India and work on expanding my portfolio as there is so much more to see, so many new people to meet, friendships to make and stories to tell…,” she said.
Maya, a gypsy girl from the Bhopa caste
Portrait of a beautiful gypsy girl from the Kalbelia caste
