How this Jamshedpur teen landed a photography gig with an ISL club Jamshedpur FC

Abhishek Tirunagri, 19, is the official junior photographer for Jamshedpur FC and has worked with the team during ISL and I-League
Abhishek Tirunagri (Pics: Abhishek Tirunagri)
Abhishek Tirunagri (Pics: Abhishek Tirunagri)

Abhishek Tirunagri is a bonafide multitasker. Not only is the 19-year-old from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand managing his Bachelor's degree in Computer Application (BCA) from Arka Jain University, but he is also juggling it with a full-time gig. That of a junior photographer for Jamshedpur's I-League and Indian Super League (ISL) football club, Jamshedpur FC.


So, how did a teenager become one of the official photographers for a national-level football club? "Photography has always been more than a hobby and over the years, I have been photographing several events all over the town. But, there wasn't a specific genre that interested me more than the other. However, when I came across this opportunity, I realised that this is something that I could do and be good at," says Abhishek. So, he did just that. Abhishek applied for the position in early November, last year. "The management didn't take me seriously initially. But, later when they saw my work, they asked me to shoot an event. They really liked what they saw and I was hired by the end of the month," he recalls.

A photo clicked by Abhishek

Abhishek has been photographing events, advertisements and promotional, shooting videos and practice sessions for the football club since then. He even got the opportunity to photograph the players when they played for the I-League. He also clicks photographs for the club's social media profiles. But, how does he manage it with classes and college? "I have always been a techie and love computers. It is fairly easy for me to manage the course. But, I've had to miss classes now and then to attend club events or even matches. However, I ensure that I collect the notes and study and prepare for examinations after I return from the events in the evening," he says.  

Abhishek feels that the club owners', Tata Steel's, aim to motivate and empower the youth is what prompted them to select someone as young as him to become their official junior photographer. "This has provided me with an immense amount of exposure as my work is now showcased on not only the official social media handles of the club but also on I-League's social media handles," he says.  


Speaking about his love for photography and how he began pursuing what is now his passion, Abhishek says, "When I was 13 years old, I had visited Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. A foreign tourist approached me to take some of his photos with his professional camera. I didn't know much then and after he showed me the process, I managed to click a few shots. I had never held  a camera before and it was fascinating and intriguing to operate one. The tourist seemed really impressed and it was then that I realised that it was something I could pursue," Abhishek recalls.

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