Alpana Aras-King grew up in a house filled with family photographs—on the walls and in albums. “My father understood the value of investing in memories and made sure we had tangible reminders of our family’s journey through time,” she tells me.
Now a professional photographer, Aras-King lives in San Francisco, some 8,000 miles from where she grew up in Mumbai (then Bombay). But she’s continued that tradition by becoming the family documentarian herself.
Over almost two decades, she’s captured her son’s childhood: Halloween costumes, birthdays, games of make-believe, and graduations.
Looking back now, with Rowan (her son) having recently left for college, it’s the smaller moments rather than the milestones that stand out most in the artist’s mind. During a trip to Mumbai, for instance, she remembers sitting down at Cafe Britannica, an Irani cafe that instantly brought her back to her own childhood.
“The 90-year-old owner tenderly placed his hand on my son’s head while he enjoyed his cola,” Aras-King recalls. “In that small, heartfelt moment, I felt an instant surge of connection to our culture, a sensation I hope my son will carry with him when he looks back at the photo.”
We asked her to tell us more about the magic of childhood, the importance of capturing those blink-and-you-miss-it moments, and her years-long collaboration with her son.
Shutterstock: For how long have you been photographing your son? What first inspired you to start documenting his childhood?
Alpana Aras-King: Having witnessed the power of photographs as memory keepers in my own childhood, I knew I wanted to capture moments of my son’s life. In those early days, I used my video camera, which was on hand, even though it had terrible resolution. Finally, when Rowan turned three, I got my hands on my first DSLR, a Nikon D70.
That’s when I started taking photos of him and sharing them on Flickr. Little did I know that this online community would be an inspiring and supportive space, enabling me to grow as an artist.
As I documented my son, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, honing my identity as a photographer and finding my voice, which ultimately led me to establish my own business, Storybox Art.
At the time, the trend in some of the pro photography groups was more toward formal portraits, but I found myself drawn to something different through the lens of capturing my son. The unfiltered and raw moments felt like honest interpretations, whether he was smiling, laughing, crying, or anything in-between.
I found pure magic in those unguarded instances where the camera assumed the role of a silent observer, allowing me to freeze genuine emotions and create art that truly resonated.
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SSTK: How has your collaboration with Rowan evolved over the years?
Aras-King: During his younger years, my photos were filled with unposed, authentic moments that reflected real life. You know how challenging it can be to get a young child to sit still for a photo!
As my son grew older, I started to guide him more to capture specific images. Light became a guiding force in my photography, as I got obsessed with capturing the interplay of light and shadows. Many of the photos I took were inspired by moments when I stumbled upon beautiful light.
One memory is from the pandemic in 2020. We had initially planned to venture out to a nearby location, but the weather had other plans for us—it was going to rain, so we stayed in. I have a special fondness for reflections, and the living room window has been a canvas for capturing various portraits. With the light filtering through the cherry tree outside, I loved being able to play with his reflection—almost as if he was looking at his future self.
SSTK: Do you have a favorite time of day or weather/lighting conditions for portraits?
Aras-King: Unlike most photographers who chase after that golden light, my version of golden light is backlight. I’m not bound by specific times of the day, as I shoot whenever I feel a spark with whatever is in front of me, with the space and light aligning to create that magical combination.
For client work, I aim for softer light whenever possible—or make it work with whatever I have—but I always find a way to incorporate backlighting for that extra touch of magic.
SSTK: Please give us a peek inside your camera bag.
Aras-King: I’ve accumulated various cameras, including digital and film cameras, even medium format ones. My film cameras include a Contax 645, Mamiya 645, Nikon F100, Polaroid SX-70, Olympus XA-3, Nikon P&S, a Golden Half, and a Holga.
My favorite may be the plastic toy camera—the Holga!
However, my current focus is primarily on headshots and brand photography. For these shoots, my go-to setup is usually my trusty Nikon D850.
When working in a studio, I use Godox flash strobes and a tripod. But, generally, I stick to one camera body and a few different lenses that I have, like the Nikon 24-70 and 50mm.
My absolute favorite is the Nikon 85mm lens. It consistently delivers fantastic results and allows me to capture stunning shots.
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SSTK: You grew up in Mumbai. How often do you get to return with your son?
Aras-King: Yes, I grew up in Mumbai, or as I still like to call it, Bombay. I immigrated to the U.S. for my Masters degree and now live in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Normally, I would make a trip back to Bombay every couple of years but, due to the pandemic, it didn’t happen as planned. However, I did manage to visit again this past January.
My son has been back to India a handful of times—the most recent when he was about to start high school. During that trip, we visited Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, and Bombay. Returning to India evokes a profound sense of connection to my culture, instilling within me a deep feeling of belonging.
As my son grows up in America with a mixed-race identity, I am aware that his cultural experiences may differ from my own. Nevertheless, I hold onto the hope that the photos I capture will become cherished memory keepers, offering him a valuable connection to my cultural heritage.
One of my favorite childhood memories was riding the double-decker bus 123 along the sea route. I’d always run to grab the coveted seat at the front. I made sure, on one of our trips, we went on the 123 bus to relive the joy of my own childhood.
SSTK: What do you think your earlier photos mean to your son now that he’s growing up? Do you look back on them often?
Aras-King: I asked my son to answer this question, as I didn’t want to answer for him. Here is what he had to say:
“The photographs themselves have become my memories. I may not recall the exact moments or instances captured, but the images hold a significant place in my memory.
“For example, the picture of me next to the wall in India on our fireplace or enjoying a Thumbs Up in the cafe triggers a sense of familiarity and connection, even though I don’t remember the specific details of those moments.
“I really liked the graduation pictures we took in San Francisco, where jumping on top of the hill felt cool and memorable. It’s hard to choose just one from the many pictures we have, but those ones really stand out.
“The family photos, especially with Baba (my father) and Grandpa, are also special. I particularly remember the one with Grandpa while we were fishing and sitting on a bench. Looking at the actual pictures helps me relive those moments even more.”
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SSTK: What tips would you give to artists and parents about capturing their children’s childhoods? Anything you wish you’d known before you started?
Aras-King: I believe that the capturing of memories and the approach to photography is a highly individual process. Different people are attracted to different types of images, whether it is posed portraits, documentary-style shots, or something else.
My advice would be to start by considering what style of work you are drawn to, what your end goal is for your images, and how you might enjoy them.
While special occasions like weddings, birthdays, or family sessions are undoubtedly important and worth documenting, we shouldn’t overlook the power of everyday moments. We often place great emphasis on getting dressed up and taking photos during these specific events.
However, the everyday moments—when you have access to your family and can act as a documentarian—hold their own special charm. They allow you to capture the authenticity of whatever unfolds before you, creating memories that truly reflect the essence of daily life.
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Check out more from Alpana Aras-King by visiting her Offset portfolio and her branding photography website. Follow along on Instagram at @alpana.aras and @alpanaaras.
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