★Clandestino's photostream  

Each year in October/November for around a week, the tiny holy village of Pushkar, in Rajasthan, India, is swamped with several hundred thousand visitors. Camel herders, pilgrims, acrobats, touts, nomads, tourists, both Indian and foreign, all flock to Pushkar for the annual Camel Fair. While camel traders haggle on the trading field, children walk makeshift tightropes as their parents play instruments and crowds gather to watch. The whole scene is incredible.

I met this man on the trading field, on one of the first mornings of the fair. I was out there early – around 6am, for sunrise, thinking that I’d get out there before the crowds, and I was partially correct – I beat everyone, except the other photographers! I’ve never seen so many other photographers, many with two or three big cameras and huge lenses hanging around their necks. My 5d2 and 135L looked small in comparison (but it isn’t the size that counts, right???).

This man was just waiting with his camels on the trading field. I believe he, like many of the other traders, is basically a nomad, with no fixed home, although he may have certain villages that he stays at during the year. I was drawn to him because of this incredible facial expression, which didn’t change at all the whole time we interacted. He looked weather-worn, sun-baked, but also proud and strong – like a desert warrior.

Thomas Stewart | International Wedding Photographer Sydney / Sydney Destination Wedding Photographer

She told me she's from Jaisalmer, near the Pakistan border. She was at the Pushkar camel fair, I'm not sure why.

One of the impressive forts in Rajasthan; at night it is amazing. Pity the floodlights which light it night weren't working as apparently the local government hadn't paid its electricity bill (or so a rickshaw driver told me). No problem - tonight, the moon is all the light I need.

The most intricate and amazing henna design I saw during 6 weeks in India.

This was shot while sitting in the entrance to a small fabric shop in a back street of Udaipur during the Diwali celebrations in 2011. I spent 3 hours drinking chai and talking to the shop owner while a long procession of immaculately dressed women slowly shuffled past in a long line, waiting to enter the temple next door to receive a Diwali blessing.

The women were more than happy to be photographed and to chat with me. I was surprised at the proficiency of English amongst them.

This was one of the loveliest experiences of my time in India.

Thomas Stewart | International Wedding Photographer Sydney / Sydney Destination Wedding Photographer