We were lucky to catch up with Filter Phobiacs recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Filter thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I first fell in love with photography as a kid growing up in Mumbai. Life in the city was chaotic—street vendors calling out, kids playing cricket in the lanes, and the endless honking of rickshaws. But even in all that noise, I was drawn to the quieter, unnoticed moments that felt special in their own way.
One memory that stands out was during the monsoon season. The rain had just stopped, and everything was glistening—the streets, the leaves, even the clotheslines strung between buildings. I borrowed my dad’s old camera and started taking photos of puddles reflecting the sky and the way the light danced on the wet surfaces. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that was the moment I fell in love with capturing the world around me.
Since then, photography has remained a passion and a hobby. I’ve always approached it with a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the raw beauty of the world. While I’m not pursuing it professionally right now, I would love to someday turn this passion into something more. For now, it’s my creative outlet—a way to celebrate life’s simple, authentic moments and share them with others.
Filter, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m the creator of FilterPhobiacs, a photography page dedicated to showcasing the raw, unfiltered beauty of the world. My journey began growing up in Mumbai, where I was inspired by the quiet, authentic moments hidden in the city’s chaos. My work focuses on capturing life as it is—no edits, no filters—because I believe the world’s natural beauty speaks for itself.
Through my page, I aim to inspire people to slow down and notice the extraordinary in the everyday. What sets it apart is my commitment to authenticity in a world where curated and edited visuals are the norm.
What I’m most proud of is the connection my work builds with others. Hearing that my photos encourage people to see beauty in the ordinary is what drives me. At its core, FilterPhobiacs is about storytelling, celebrating life’s imperfections, and reminding us all to appreciate the world as it is.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was that everything has to be perfect to have value. Growing up, I believed that only flawless work was worth sharing. This mindset carried into my photography, where I thought every shot had to be polished and technically perfect.
The turning point came during a trip when I captured what I initially thought was an “imperfect” photo. Surprisingly, it resonated deeply with others because of its raw authenticity. That experience taught me that imperfection often makes things more real and relatable. Now, I embrace the beauty in flaws, both in my work and in life.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building an audience for FilterPhobiacs has been a slow but meaningful process. I started by consistently sharing photos that stayed true to my philosophy—unedited and unfiltered, celebrating the raw beauty of the world. Every post was about more than just the image; it was about the story or emotion behind it, which helped people connect with my work on a deeper level.
Engagement played a huge role. I made it a point to respond to comments, interact with similar creators, and genuinely connect with others who appreciated authenticity. Over time, this built a small but loyal community of people who resonated with my perspective.
For anyone starting out, my advice is simple: be authentic, tell stories, and engage meaningfully. Stay consistent with your content, but don’t stress about perfection—focus on what makes your work unique. Building a presence takes time, but if it’s rooted in something real, people will feel that and stick around.
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