Photosindia.com helps educate too!

Sometimes its all about pretty faces, simple concepts and an image that has a clear cut message!

Say it with the perfect image from Photosindia.com

We have been producing Indian imagery for over 3 years, there is nothing that we haven't covered and its always a pleasant surprise when one of our images is selected as the face of a brand. Makes us feel 'bang on'!

BigTV launches Diwali Promotion with PhotosIndia Image

Big TV DTH service of Reliance Communications launched their Diwali Dhamaka Offer with PhotosIndia Image.

Kodak chose PhotosIndia's Image for Diwali Promotion

Winds of Change for this Diwali

This Diwali lets pray for peace. Coming from me that is a prophetic statement because like a lot of us I really look forward to the sweets and gifts that pour in at this time of the year. Many times I have wondered if this kind of commercial, wanton greed is healthy but since I share it with so many charged- up-Diwali-loving Indians, my guilt is reduced. So this year the quandary is “to shop or not to shop”, well, shop we all will have to, after all tradition, relationships and ego massaging is very much called for in the urban work and life culture. So the quandary shifts to “what to buy?” I have done a little homework in that area and I would sincerely encourage readers to try and opt for one of these products as their Diwali gift for the year. Budgets aside, a lot lies in the thought, purpose and objective of the gift, if you are a discerning gift giver, you would spend some time on your choices just to be sure the right gifts reach the right recipient.



The main idea of this exercise is to not only compliment the friends and family in our lives but also to extend positive vibes through our actions. There is no one thing you can do to solve the problems your loved ones face but you can participate in the alleviation of that problem. Kind words are just the beginning; incorporate a small prayer of peace at home, at work, for friends, for family, in your country and let the message manifest through your gifts.


1. Potted plants
Lucky Bamboos are truly passé, I mean they work and they look good but most of us either have them or have had them. Check out www.greengrowerindia.com for really unique plant gifts. Especially the landscapes, which work very well outdoors and since plants obtain nourishment differently, a landscape miniature garden is actually very easy to maintain. A Jade bonsai on the other hand is said to bring luck and happiness, so that would be thoughtful too. If you want to be really hands on, go get a beautiful ceramic pot and ask your local nursery to suggest a pretty perennial plant and that’s your customized Diwali gift.


2. Artwork
Look for that quaint artwork shop in your local market; check up with friends to find an artist in the group or simply Google it. Once you have a theme and budget in mind, it’s a matter of identifying the right source and you could well do a range of Buddha portraits as your Diwali gift. I have decided to commission three such pieces for very dear friends simply because I want my gift to be accompanied with blessings too.


3. Organic Produce
I love and recommend http://www.organicbounty.com/about1.asp, based in New Delhi; this organic store is online but very reliable and efficient. Try the honey from lychee flowers, add an exotic Rhododendron Jam (yes the plant!!!), mix that up with blood purifying fruits like Pomegranates and I think that makes a pretty healthy basket. Do a little research; most metros have awesome organic stores to choose from.

4. Music
I have developed a special liking for the ‘Best of Soundscapes’ CD collection available from Music Today, apart from that contemporary music can be as uplifting. After all the idea is bring a new dimension into your friends/family’s lives, introduce them to a new experience, a rejuvenating, happy experience. In western music, Sade has beautifully positive vibes, so try one of her albums. The Buddha Lounge collections are easy listening and good for urban chill time. Again you want to go very personal, then develop a collection of your own and burn it for your friends, take a quick Photoshop tutorial and make your own CD cover too.


5. Literature
Here I’d like to recommend the ‘Calm Sutra’, apart from the catchy name, the contents of the book are awe inspiring too. Published by Times of India, it promises simple truths to beat stress. The ‘Festivals of the World’ series of coffee table books are very eclectic and informative too. My personal favorite for this year is however “A Thousand Splendid Suns’ which is definitely going to two of my girlfriends.



The mood of the world is generally dismal, global slowdowns, recessions, security threats and political instability. Not a lot to look forward to unless you vow to make everyday worthwhile, for yourselves and the people around you. Add a touch of calm, a feeling of serenity and spread joy, for everyday is worth it.

Festivals and Shopping

We are on the threshold of shopping season and I hope everyone is geared up for it. I know two wonderful women that start putting away just 2500 rupees from May onwards and by the time they hit October, they have an awesome booty of Rs. 12,500 from practically nowhere. That tuck is kept for Durga Puja, Dussehra and little bit of winter wasting! Diwali sees it own extravagance and that can be discussed later but the deals that are springing up now are a treat in itself. Brands and products start the wooing process earlier every year, ever since we saw the advent of globalization, 365 days of the year didn’t seem enough for shopping. Markets and stores were flooded with foods, apparel, kitchenware and everything else that’s worth buying, seasonal specials didn’t happen in December like the west, they happened all the way from September till November. For a nation in perpetual inflation, we certainly had a penchant for waste. Maybe that’s not entirely fair; some of us keep genuine requirements for this time of the year. But I do know of one soul that has already ordered a suspicious 1 GB MP3 player, which I keep calling IPod, but then at $20, I know I am absolutely wrong! Followed by a home décor set which comprised of mismatched block print bed linen that I wouldn’t even use in a $10 bed and breakfast. These trends make me think that this time of the year actually causes a kind of ‘shopping’ fever that few can control. Every morning the newspaper greets you with endless offers, sales and steals, they all seem over the top and that’s when I wonder, if the damn thing is priced this cheap then why did we pay all a premium the whole year through?



All this ranting is in lieu of the first day of ‘Navratri’ which is today, the 30th of September 2008. Today start the nine holy days that Hindu’s observe twice a year. Personally, it is the latter halves Navratri days that I prefer the most, they lead up to the opulence of Diwali, the sensation of complete health, wealth and well being. The weather too starts changing, leaves fall and fresh ones erupt, the sun sets earlier than usual and there is a certain nip in the air, that is so very welcome after months of sweltering Indian heat. These days bring on a sense of oneness with God and nature, it is no wonder that shoppers step out in throngs.



This is the time to redecorate the house if you have been meaning to do it; this Dussehra and Diwali month dedicate your space to color and light. As a budget option, pick corners of your house that need perking up and work on those areas only. After you have decided on the nook you want to change, think of the colors that you associate with this season, for me it’s always red and gold, a nice matte bronze like gold. Now set a budget, keep in mind the fact the season lasts almost 2 months and is followed by another month of partying, Christmas and New Years, so your theme corner will stay symbolic for longer than you think. Now to the fun part – scrapbooking. Making scrapbooks is not just for kids, it can be amazing grown up fun. Take a thick cover sketch book, glue stick, markers, sketch pens and your imagination. Now think of all the lovely knick knacks you saw in last month’s magazine or that perfect table arrangement showcased in ‘Cosmo’ or even the table cloth you know Westside has. Wherever you find inspiration try and take a piece of that, a digital picture (my friend still uses her Polaroid), a magazine cutting, a newspaper article and add it to you scrapbook cuttings. I usually divide my scrapbook into sections like bedroom, kid’s room, living room, kitchen etc. so I know exactly where each cutting belongs and once I am on my shopping sojourns I can spot what I want immediately. I use family pictures, cloth swatches, movie stubs, chocolate wrappers in my scrapbook too, so it’s more of a memoir and chronicle than a personal shopping wishlist. The latest corner I made was near my fish tank, I used 3 votive candles (raspberry red), a red glass lantern with a flower and vine pattern painted on it, a beautiful piece of white stone, an incense holder and a tall metal vase in matte red, in which I keep gold painted reeds. That is my festive corner and I hope I have inspired you to make one too. Do this for all seasons, it refreshes the house and it feels good to have something brand new set up for celebration. Watch this space for Holi ideas next!

Find Photosindia.com on Every Nook and Corner

Photosindia.com has come a long way in three years, it has circled the globe and adorned innumerable billboards, magazines and brands. Each time an image is sold the scope of stock imagery expands. The profile of users is constantly changing and its dynamism is very encouraging. Stock images have come a long way, from random collection of travel and lifestyle pictures, it is now a well researched and organized industry with exceptionally talented photographers and state of the art technology. The Photographs available now are exactly what the market needs, its amazing how easy developing creative's has become. That is probably the reason our image was spotted at a bookstore in Pakistan. The variety, quantity and quality allows buyers to choose from thousands of beautiful pictures and they are bound to find the perfect one for their project.