This week Emirates Woman speaks to Rajesh Satankar, Co-founder of India’s leading photography brand, Knotting Bells.
Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
In a world where luxury weddings have become larger-than-life productions, Knotting Bells stands out for capturing the moments that truly matter, the unfiltered emotions behind the opulence. Founded over a decade ago, the brand has carved its own niche at the intersection of editorial finesse and heartfelt storytelling.
With more than 500 weddings across India, Dubai, and 20 countries worldwide, Knotting Bells has built a reputation for translating love, culture, and celebration into timeless visual narratives. Their work blends the sophistication of fashion photography with the raw authenticity of candid moments, creating images and films that feel both cinematic and deeply personal.
At its core, Knotting Bells remains rooted in its Indian heritage, the brand balances artistry with intention. Their signature aesthetic is refined, emotional, and culturally grounded, and has resonated with couples across continents. Whether shooting multi-day destination weddings or intimate ceremonies, Knotting Bells approaches each project with humility, sensitivity, and an instinctive understanding that no two love stories are alike.
As they set their sights on expanding into the UK and USA, the brand continues to evolve while staying true to what defines it: soul, sincerity, and the belief that every celebration deserves to be remembered beautifully.
So to delve, into their story, Emirates Man sat down with Satankar, to see how it all began.
What was your favourite subject at school?
I truly believe that art has always been an integral part of who I am. Even though I wasn’t the most academically inclined student, I was deeply drawn to extracurricular activities, especially those related to the arts, like theatre, drama, and organizing cultural festivals. Those were the spaces where I felt most alive and expressive. If we’re talking about academic subjects, I did fairly well in Math, but my heart always leaned towards the creative side.
What was your first job?
After completing my graduation in filmmaking, I had the opportunity to assist Mr. Jatin Kampani, a highly respected fashion photographer in India. That was my first professional experience in photography, and it really shaped my understanding of visual storytelling.
What brought you to Dubai?
Dubai, for me, feels like a dream city. This might sound personal, but every time I stand near the Burj Khalifa or walk along the promenade, there’s a certain energy in the air. Watching people cross paths, the liveliness of the city, it gives me an incredible adrenaline rush. That feeling has been a great motivator for me. On a practical level, Dubai has a large Indian community and hosts many grand Indian weddings. So, as a wedding photographer, I saw great potential and exciting opportunities here.
What inspired you to enter the the world of photography and talk to us about Knotting Bells.
I started out in fashion photography, but I eventually found my true calling in weddings. The two are quite different. Fashion photography is curated and controlled, but wedding photography is real. You become a part of someone’s most cherished day, surrounded by happiness and raw emotions. Life, to me, is a celebration, and wedding photography lets me celebrate not just my own life, but also the joy of others. That’s what truly drew me in. At Knotting Bells, we’ve been doing this for over a decade and have covered more than 500 weddings. Our work has been published in renowned platforms and appreciated widely. But at our core, Knotting Bells is a humble brand. It’s rooted in Indian culture and aesthetics, and we take great pride in reflecting that in our work.
Talk us through the concept?
Wedding photography falls under a very glamorous lifestyle space, luxury venues, designer outfits, high-end jewelry, and elite brands. But beneath all that glamour lies something deeply emotional and personal. Weddings are filled with genuine moments of laughter, tears, love, and connection. It’s this contrast between luxury and raw emotion that makes wedding photography so special. Every wedding we shoot is unique, different couples, different energies, different styles. And that makes every project a new challenge. At Knotting Bells, we try to maintain a consistent aesthetic that combines an editorial style with a lot of candid moments. That’s the signature touch we like to bring to every wedding.
What are the key elements of your role?
Knotting Bells is a vision shared between my partner Sachin and me. While Sachin brings strength in operations and strategy, I focus more on the creative side. I love shooting and am actively involved in shaping the visual tone of our work, the aesthetics you see on our page come from my lens and perspective.
Talk us through your daily routine.
My daily routine is a balance of personal and professional life. I start my mornings early with spiritual practices, some yoga or quiet time with my family. Being a father and husband is something I deeply cherish. Once the workday begins, it’s filled with meetings, planning shoots, reviewing edits, and aligning with the team. I also spend time watching creative content, films, music videos, art to stay inspired and think of new concepts. Every day is different, and that’s what keeps the excitement alive.
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Tell us more about the services?
As a wedding photography brand, we offer everything from couple shoots and documentary-style photography to editorial images. We provide end-to-end photo and video services. Our cinematic films are carefully crafted stories that capture the essence of 2-3 day celebrations. Alongside the main wedding film, we also create longer movies and shorter pieces for social media. There’s something for everyone!
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
One of our earliest clients once told me, “Your humbleness is your biggest strength. Never lose that, no matter how big your brand becomes.” That advice has stayed with me. It’s a constant reminder to stay grounded, no matter where the journey takes us.
And what is the worst?
I don’t recall any ‘bad advice’ as such because I believe every experience, every client call, every piece of feedback, is an opportunity to learn and grow. At Knotting Bells, we’re always open to feedback. We try to turn every suggestion into something positive and constructive. That’s what helps us keep evolving.
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What’s the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?
Over the past decade, I haven’t seen any major challenge that truly shook me, except for COVID. That period was tough for everyone, not just professionally but personally too. It taught us the importance of living in the moment, valuing our relationships, and finding joy in everyday work. It wasn’t just a lesson in business; it was a lesson in life.
What lies ahead for the brand?
Having started in India and expanded to Dubai, we’ve now worked in over 20 countries. Our next goal is to establish a presence in Western countries like the UK and USA. We want to take Knotting Bells global while staying true to our Indian roots and storytelling.
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