Pravaas

Restaurant photography for Pravaas, a modern Indian restaurant in South Kensington, London.
Led by Chef Shilpa Dandekar, Pravaas brings the tradition and flavour of India into a refined, contemporary setting.
The photography was commissioned for their website and social media, aiming to show a full picture of the dining experience: the food, interiors, and the kitchen team in action.

Full overhead table shot of colourful Indian dishes at Pravaas, featuring lamb shank curry, biryani, kebabs, and fish curry.

Selection of Indian street food starters at Pravaas — Close-up of colourful street food including pani puri and chaat, styled naturally on a wooden tray.

Grilled green-marinated chicken with salad and lemon wedge at Pravaas, South Kensington.

Bright green cocktail at Pravaas — Refreshing green cocktail with basil garnish, photographed among a busy table setting.

Chef plating a starter at Pravaas — Overhead shot of a chef carefully decorating a plated Indian starter with green sauce.

Chef preparing marinated chicken for the tandoor at Pravaas — Action shot of a chef threading spiced chicken pieces onto skewers in the kitchen

Flat lay of Indian dishes at Pravaas — Overhead view of a table full of vibrant dishes including biryani, tandoori chicken and curries.

Close-up of three lamb galouti kebabs topped with cherry tomatoes and edible flowers, surrounded by vibrant Indian dishes.

Close-up of a scallop starter at Pravaas — Delicately plated scallop dish served in a shell, topped with edible flowers and colourful sauces.

Stuffed chicken leg curry at Pravaas — Close-up of a stuffed chicken drumstick in a rich red curry sauce, photographed against a dark background.

Slow-cooked lamb shank at Pravaas — Braised lamb shank served in a deep red sauce, garnished with edible flowers and micro herbs.

The brief for this shoot was clear: show off the craft, care and creativity behind the dishes, and give a feel for the atmosphere of the restaurant itself. Pravaas isn’t just another Indian restaurant. It’s refined but relaxed, elegant without being over the top. I wanted the photography to reflect that – stylish, but still warm and inviting.

The interiors at Pravaas are a perfect mix of contemporary design and subtle Indian influence. The dining room feels sophisticated but not formal, with soft lighting and bold textures. I started by photographing the space before service began, capturing wide shots of the room and the details that make it unique — from the feature wall with its geometric lighting to the patterned chairs and the careful table settings.

When it came to the food photography, it was important make it vibrant and mouthwatering, but keep it honest — no heavy styling, no over-editing. Every plate at Pravaas is packed with colour, texture, and precision, so I shot close-up with crisp, clean lighting to bring out the natural details and stay true to how the dishes really look. Using a mix of close-up details and wider context shots, I wanted the images to show off the skill behind each dish while keeping everything looking approachable and real. Capturing full tables loaded with food helps give the viewer the feeling of sitting in the restaurant, sharing a feast with friends.

Behind the scenes, I captured the team prepping dishes in the kitchen. This kind of documentary-style photography is a big part of my approach: showing the skill and dedication that happens before the food even reaches the table.

As a set, the images give a real sense of the whole experience at Pravaas — the environment, the energy of the team, and the food itself. They’ll be used across the restaurant’s website and social media, helping to build a brand that feels personal and authentic while still polished and professional.

This shoot was a great example of why I love restaurant photography in London. At Pravaas, the food, the space, the people — it’s all connected. It’s about bringing tradition into a new setting without losing the heart of it.