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Meet Shailen Champaneri

Shailen is a documentary photographer based in Leicester, UK, with a focus on humanised portraiture and candid moments. His work often explores both black and white photography for its nostalgic and timeless qualities, as well as colour photography, which he views as context-dependent. With a strong preference for high-energy environments like chaotic cities, Shailen is drawn to scenes filled with social dynamics and diverse characters.

A proud moment

"I captured a spontaneous portrait of my great uncle. We were at the dinner table, and the lighting created such dramatic contrast.
At 85, he still has vibrant green eyes and a full head of hair. He’s had an extraordinary life, full of adventure and incredible stories.
What made me most proud was that he told me he plans to use the photo for the cover of his memoir. That meant so much to me—knowing that my work would be part of telling his incredible story."

Staying inspired

"Surrounding myself with a small community of photographers and creatives whose work I admire and trust. I also limit my time on social media and dedicate more of my attention on physical books and prints.
I challenge myself with specific themes or projects. For instance, when doing street photography, I focus on capturing emotion or particular moments, like someone deep in thought or full of energy.
I also enjoy night photography, especially rainy evenings where condensation on windows creates moody, atmospheric shots. Additionally, I draw inspiration from films, paying close attention to lighting in scenes, with a lot of my aesthetic coming from 80s and 90s Bollywood films".

Biggest challenge

"The biggest challenge has been comparing myself to other photographers, especially those with more experience in a similar field. Social media amplifies this, as it’s easy to see others with millions of followers sharing incredible work.
Another challenge has been accepting praise—it takes time to adjust to. Over time, I’ve learned to block out the noise, trust my instincts, and stay authentic to my vision. I now focus more on creating than consuming content, which helps me stay grounded and continue growing.
It’s a process, but with time, I’ve learned to appreciate my unique journey".

Some advice

"Visit galleries and take inspiration from physical photo books, rather than relying solely on social media. While social media is useful, it can be hard to find something truly unique. There’s something about experiencing art in person that feels truly empowering.
A great book to check out is Forever Saul Leiter, a collection showcasing the work of a street photographer known for his vibrant, painterly images created with expired film.
Also having your camera with you to catch moments as they come, even if it’s just your phone. And set aside even a small amount of time for photography—you’d be surprised at how much you can gather over time".

Dream collaboration
(Dead or alive)

"Tupac Shakur. He remains one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, and his music, especially tracks like ‘Until the End of Time’ and ‘Starin' Through My Rear View’, has always resonated with me. The way he described the world in his songs paints vivid images, almost like a visual guide that influences my photography. His words would often inspire my work, and I could see myself capturing moments that reflect the themes and emotions in his music. Tupac was also naturally charismatic and had a striking presence in front of the camera. I would have loved the opportunity to capture powerful environmental portraits of him for an album cover.
Beyond his music, his family’s involvement in the Black Liberation movement and civil rights activism deeply moved me.
I have the photo journal by Jeffrey Henson, In a Time of Panthers, which captures the early days of the Black Panther Party. It would have been a privilege to capture Tupac’s journey through powerful imagery, documenting those defining moments of his activism that I deeply admire.

Where it began

"My journey began at thirteen, taking photos of my grandparents and family with my parents' Canon digital camera. It was a great introduction to capturing the world around me, and my skills have steadily evolved since then.
I didn’t buy my first Fujifilm SLR until 2022; before that, I used my phone’s camera.
That year, I took my family on a four-week backpacking trip through North India, specifically Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, where we travelled through rural villages.
That trip marked the first time I truly felt I had created a body of work I was proud to share. Watching my dad use film cameras as I grew up sparked my fascination with photography".

"This photograph truly a lucky shot. It was my first day in Thailand, and I was just excited to take photos. I wandered into a monastery and took some shots, but they felt pretty mediocre, lacking that special something.

A few moments later, I noticed a young novice monk running behind the temple grounds. He was quite a distance away, behind a gated fence—likely the monks' private area. As he ran into the light, something about the scene struck me as surreal, almost like stepping into another world. I was so captivated by the moment that I forgot all about my camera for a second.

Curious, I moved to the other side of the monastery where I found a gap in the fence. As I stepped through, I saw the monk again. Our eyes met, and I walked up to him and greeted him. He was blowing up a balloon. I asked if I could take his photo, and he kindly agreed.

I'm really proud of this photo—it's certainly one of my favorites. It reminds me to never give up and to fully explore every angle of a scene before walking away."

Himachal Pradesh, October 2022

Chang Mai, January 2025

Koh Samui, January 2025

My iconic great uncle

My Dad

@slyneshoots

How we met..
I first met Shailen a few years ago at a family friend's party in Leicester. We instantly bonded over a shared love of travel. At the time, he had just returned from a trip to India, and he spoke about it with such passion and energy that you could feel his excitement. Little did I know that a year later, we’d meet again for a beer and connect over our mutual love for photography.
Shailen’s unique ability to capture raw, candid moments has inspired me to move beyond just shooting landscapes and architecture. His eye for people and their stories has had a profound impact on my own creative journey. Today, Shailen continues to inspire me every day with his work.
Check out his Instagram and give him a follow —his work is truly captivating.