DEEPTI ASTHANA – Documentary Photographer

Deepti Asthana is an independent photographer, storyteller, and National Geographic Explorer. Her work focuses on women in traditional societies of rural India, whose stories are largely untold. Her keen interest in slow and long form documentary photography allows her in-depth access into the lives of the women she photographs. Deepti’s work is both tender and strong, bringing in the emotional and social balance required to tell the truest version of these hard-hitting experiences.

Deepti is currently documenting the contribution of indigenous women in nature and conservation. Her project is supported by The National Geographic Society.

Editorial contribution :  National Geographic Magazine, BBC News, Al Jazeera English, Der Spiegel, Daily Post, Huffington Post, First Post, The Diplomat, Feature Shoot, Hindu Business Line, The Hindu, Better Photography, The Quint, Scroll, The Quartz.  

NGO and Commercial Work: Malala Fund, Leher India, Levis India, Vivo India, Woods at Sasan  

Recognitions : 

2020 World Press 6*6 Global Talent

2020 Photo Fringe shortlisted artist 

2020 National Geographic grantee 

2020 Sahapedia Grant

2019 Gold  in COPY for video documentary ‘A new home’ 

2019 Nomination World Press Photo 6*6 talent

2018 Alexandra Bolut Grant by VII Photo agency

2018 Sahapedia Grant

2017 Mentorship program Women Photograph

2017 Photography grant Unsung project

2017 Nomination Joop Swart Master Class

2017 Focas Scotland Grant

 Exhibitions and talks : 

2020  ‘A thousand thorns’ – Digital exhibition Zoom Photo festival, Canada 

2019 Talk – ‘Finding your focus in Photography; Objectifs, Singapore

2019 Digital Presentation at the Angkor Photo Festival, Siem Reap, Cambodia

2019 Solo exhibition ‘Women of India’ Utsav Maa festival Jodhpur, India

2019 The Queen, The American University, Cairo, Egypt 

2019 Women of India, Solo exhibition in Zurich, Switzerland

2018 Pyre and poverty, Indian Photography Festival, Hyderabad, India

2018  Tale of two girls, An Lanntair Arts Centre, Stornoway, Scotland 

2018 Tale of two girls, National Institue of design, Hyderabad, India

2018 Eyes on Street, Wilson, North Carolina, USA

2017 Living on the edge, Serendipity Arts Festival, Goa, India

2017 Talk – Women of India, Georgetown, Malaysia 

2017  Tale of two girls, Sri Aurobindo Center for Arts and Communications, Delhi, India

2017  Tale of two girls, An Lanntair, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

2017  Tale of two girls, Pondicherry Photo Festival, Pondicherry, India

2017  Tale of two girls, Just Another Photo Festival, Kolkata, India  

2017 Pyre and poverty, Green Matheran Festival, Matheran, India

2016 Group exhibition, Lalit Kala Academy, Kerala, India