About Rajiv Solanki

Rajiv Solanki is an award-winning photographer and documentary filmmaker with over 15 years of professional experience. With a unique balance of technical mastery and cultural sensitivity, he is known for travel, people, commercial, industrial and interior photography – bringing meaningful narratives, human connection, and social impact into every commercial assignment.

Based in New Delhi, Rajiv is the founder of Innovative Picture, a visual production company delivering photography and film solutions for international organizations, institutions, and brands.

The Journey

From an early age, Rajiv was drawn to nature and visual arts, spending his childhood painting and sketching. This artistic foundation evolved into a lifelong commitment to photography. Self-taught and driven by passion, he honed his craft through continuous practice, experimentation, and real-world experience. After beginning his career in an administrative IT role within the government sector, Rajiv gradually transitioned into professional photography full-time, following his calling for visual storytelling.

Traveling across India – from rugged mountains to vast deserts – he documented cultures, traditions, and the human experience. His passion for people and cultural storytelling led him into fine art wedding photography, which later expanded into lifestyle and commercial work, with portrait photography at its core.

Humanizing Commercial Photography

Rajiv spent years traveling India on fine art wedding photography assignments – not just capturing emotions, but immersing himself in the country’s diverse cultures, traditions, and regional stories. Growing up surrounded by Delhi’s grand monuments also shaped his eye for architecture and space. Today, that cultural depth shows up in everything he photographs. Whether it’s an industrial facility, a corporate headquarters, or an architectural interior, he approaches each project with the same human sensitivity that makes his documentary work resonate. Currently, Rajiv’s calendar is open for commercial, industrial, and interior photography.

His documentary work continues to address critical social issues. One notable film, focusing on the role of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) during the COVID-19 pandemic, was showcased at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Innovative Picture: Rajiv’s Visual Production Company

He is the Founder of Innovative Picture, a New Delhi based visual production company delivering photography and film solutions for international organisations, institutions, and brands. The company works across multiple dimensions of photography and filmmaking.

Innovative Picture operates from New Delhi with a fully equipped studio and has delivered assignments for prestigious clients including UNESCO, WHO South-East Asia & Country Office of India, and various government and public institutions.

Innovative Picture’s professional service include  :

• Photography – Specialized photography services for the development sector, editorial publications, industrial,  corporate, events, and the tourism industry.
• Video production – documentaries, tourism videos, Corporate films, promotional videos, educational films, and training materials etc
• End-to-End Post-Production Solutions –  Comprehensive post-production services with fully automated video editing, mixing, and final output development.

Teaching & Mentorship

Beyond his commercial work, Rajiv is deeply committed to photography education. He has served as Faculty of Photography at Sharda University, Greater Noida, and currently holds a guest faculty position at India Today Media Institute (India Today), Noida.

He regularly conducts:

• Photography courses and workshops
• Exclusive photo tours across India
• Real-time industry-based training programs for beginners and professionals
• Guest lectures at leading universities and institutions

Rajiv is frequently invited to serve as a judge and jury member at photography competitions organized by universities and institutions across India. He also collaborates with internationally recognized imaging brands, including Nikon.

Recognition & Awards

Rajiv’s work has been recognized nationally and internationally, earning numerous awards including:

National Recognition:

• National Winner, India’s first Family Photographs Award “Fun-Frame” – 2011 by Better Photography Magazine (Network18 Media)  & Olympus India  – Two categories
• Winner, “100 Farmers 100 Stories” National Photo Competition (TAFE ‘Be a Farm Dost’, 2022)
• Awarded by Delhi Government, “Picture Perfect Delhi” National Photography Contest (2012)
• Two-time Zonal Winner (Delhi), Privilege Moments Photography Contest (ICICI Bank, 2013 & 2018)
• Winner, “Delhi Night Made Beautiful” Photo Contest (Canon & Times of India, 2011)
• Winner, VIVO India Photography Walk (2018)
• First Runner-up, Ford Fiesta Photography Contest (Ford India, 2011)

International Recognition:

• Winner, International Photography Competition (The Lancet, London)
• Selected/Published, “Urban Photograph of the Year 2013” (CBRE, London)
• Finalist, Professional Photographer of the Year 2012 (International Magazine) – Street Photography

Notable Nominations:

• Nominee, Better Photography of the Year 2012 – Two categories
• Finalist, National Photography Contest on “Girl Child-Gender Equality” (Jagran Pehel)

His work has been widely published in leading national and international journals, newspapers, and magazines.

Academic & Professional Engagements

Current & Past Faculty Positions:

• Guest Faculty, India Today Media Institute (India Today), Noida. (2021–present)
• Faculty of Photography, Sharda University, Greater Noida (2013–2016)
• Guest Faculty, Bachelor of Fashion Design, FMG Group of Institutions (2011–2014)

Judge & Jury Roles:

• Annual Photography Competitions, YMCA, New Delhi (2013–present)
• Yearly Examination Jury, Department of Mass Communication, Sharda University (2013–2016)
• Judge, Photography Contest, Indraprastha College for Women, Delhi University (2013)

Guest Speaker & Lecturer:

• Orientation Programs, School of Cinema, Asian School of Media Studies (ASMS), AAFT, Noida (2018, 2020, 2022)
• Induction Program, School of Media and Communication, Manipal University, Jaipur (2021)

Get in Touch

For collaborations, assignments, workshops, or speaking engagements, reach out to Rajiv through Innovative Picture.