Meet Ishaan Chaudhari | Cinematographer & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ishaan Chaudhari and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ishaan, how do you define success?
For me, success is the ability to grow and create without losing sight of why I started. It’s not just about milestones on set or personal achievements, it’s the feeling that comes when everything aligns. When the story, the frame, the emotion, and the people you share it with, all align. In my career as a cinematographer, that means capturing moments that resonate, learning something new every day, and telling stories that linger with audiences. In life beyond work, it’s about living authentically, staying curious, and most importantly nurturing relationships with the people who matter most.

I think of it like the journeys in One Piece (Anime), chasing freedom, finding your own path, and staying loyal to your crew while navigating the unknown. For me, success is when I can do a little bit of that every day, create something meaningful, make a small impact on someone’s life, and keep moving forward without losing sight of why I started. When the work, the people, and the moments all come together, that’s when it really feels like success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It hasn’t been an easy road. There were many times I doubted if I was good enough or if this passion could ever become a career. Resources were limited and opportunities uncertain, but each challenge pushed me to dig deeper. What kept me going were the people around me my parents who always believed in me, my mentors who gave me structure, and my friends who constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that filmmaking is never a solo act it’s built on collaboration, trust, and vulnerability. As a cinematographer, I’ve learned to listen not just to the director or the script, but to the emotion beneath the story. As a producer, I’ve seen how vital it is to bring the right story, cast, and production together for a film to truly work. And my background in color grading has made me more intentional on set it taught me how light, contrast, and color choices shape emotion, and how planning with color theory in mind gives the final image real depth.

At the end of the day, I do chase perfection but not for control’s sake. For me, perfection comes from discipline, the kind Francis Ford Coppola spoke of when he said, “Art depends on luck and talent. But most of all, it depends on discipline.” That discipline is what turns vision into reality, what makes every frame purposeful. If my work can carry that precision while still making people feel something honest, then I know I’ve done my job.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to visit, I’d start in Bournemouth with a swim in the sea and a hike to Old Harry Rocks, taking in the stunning coastline. We’d grab dinner at my favourite Oh Deer BBQ Hotpot and spend the evenings at Sonny’s Speakeasy, enjoying live indie music.

Then we’d head to London hitting Nando’s, Shake Shack, and the city’s food markets, exploring galleries along the Southbank, wandering Soho, and ending a night in Camden’s buzzing music scene. I’d also take them to BFI Southbank or an old indie cinema to soak in the magic of film. By the end of the week, they’d get the full mix: coastal adventures, hidden creative spots, and the rhythm of the city the kind of trip you remember long after it’s over.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to start by giving the biggest shoutout to my parents. They’ve always believed in my passion and stood by me with strength and encouragement, even when things were uncertain. That foundation has meant everything. I’m also deeply grateful to my mentors at Whistling Woods and Bournemouth University, especially Mark Bond, who helped me take all that raw passion for filmmaking and shape it into something structured and focused. My friends deserve credit too they constantly push me creatively, challenge me to think differently, and remind me to never settle.

Beyond the people I know personally, I’ve drawn inspiration from creatives whose work I admire deeply. Troy Roscoe’s music videos and Michael Fimognari’s cinematography have shaped how I think about story, emotion, and visual style. While I haven’t had the chance to work with them directly, their work serves as a benchmark for what I aspire to achieve, especially if I get the chance to be a DOP on music videos or films. I love to absorb and reinterpret ideas from those I admire, as the saying goes, “All artists are thieves.” That idea keeps me learning, experimenting, and finding ways to make their influence my own while staying true to my voice.

At the end of the day, my shoutout isn’t just about recognition it’s about acknowledging that creativity is never made in isolation. The guidance, inspiration, and encouragement from others, both near and far, shapes the work I do and the filmmaker I am becoming.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ishaan_chaudhari8/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishaanchaudhari

Youtube: https://youtube.com/lilchauds