Cats of Iran project

There are times, when you want to kickstart your creativity, the best thing I have found is to challenge yourself with a simple project/ some personal work, and shoot it in as many interesting ways as possible. On my recent trip to Iran, I did just that. My subject were the ‘Street Cats of Iran’ and I wanted to create a story or stories behind the series (inspired from HONY). Luckily Tehran has street cats everywhere and they aren’t shy and some are extremely beautiful. I started posting a few of the images everyday on my Instagram feed and had several interesting conversations with wonderful people around the world. This helped both my shooting as well as story telling.

In case you did not see the series on Instagram, here they are with the original stories behind each one. So next time, you’re out of ideas, challenge yourself and shoot something simple,  animals, trees, plants, books, regular items around you and create stories; this will definitely spark that creativity bug for future projects.

Good morning world, wish you a #MerryChristmas #white #persian #cat

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 24, 2014 at 11:05pm PST

#streetcats of #Iran #cat

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 25, 2014 at 7:38am PST

#poser #streetcats #Iran #cat

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 26, 2014 at 1:09am PST

I was once a free soul, but I loved her too much #streetcats #Iran #cat #stories

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 26, 2014 at 4:55am PST

People call me “Frank Morris”, no #prison could hold the likes of me #CatsOfIran #streetcats #cat #Iran

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 26, 2014 at 7:00am PST

Now you see me, now you don’t #streetcats #CatsOfIran #cat #camouflage

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 26, 2014 at 9:47pm PST

I was once a #famous #actor, now I move in #shadows #CatsOfIran #cat #streetcats #Iran

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 27, 2014 at 7:41am PST

I was always an #introvert, but I’m trying to put myself out there… #curiosity #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 28, 2014 at 8:23am PST

I lost my right eye in the #war of Jamalabad, she was #beautiful and #deadly, a #worthy #opponent #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 28, 2014 at 9:17am PST

An #eye for an eye, we won the #war or did we? #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran #persiancat

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 29, 2014 at 3:51am PST

I was forced into #marriage by my family. Now I’m #free and ready to face the #world #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 29, 2014 at 7:44am PST

I was an #orphan ,the #streets have been my #home for as long as I can remember. I look at #families and wonder…

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 29, 2014 at 10:33pm PST

I wish everything was simple as #blacknwhite I was the reason for the #war #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran #portrait

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 30, 2014 at 12:00am PST

I work 2 #shifts a #watchman during the #day and a #bouncer at #night #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 30, 2014 at 10:42am PST

I was #destined to be a #world #famous #gymnast ,now I #wash #cars for a #living. #toughlife #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran #streetcats

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 30, 2014 at 10:35pm PST

YAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! It feels #good to #LetItOut #sometimes #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran #streetcats

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 31, 2014 at 3:34am PST

This is where my #son is #buried, he was in the #army #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran #streetcats

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 31, 2014 at 8:12am PST

Behind the scenes #BTS #CatsOfIran #project

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 31, 2014 at 8:54am PST

People say, when I was little, I fell into a bucket of #milk, but I’m sure there is a more #important reason for my #WhiteSocks #IamSpecial #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran #streetcats #happynewyear

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Dec 31, 2014 at 10:53pm PST

I left him for another and #regret that decision. Now he won’t #takeMeBack, so I #cry and #wait #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran #streetcats #toughlife

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Jan 2, 2015 at 7:41am PST

#NoMatterWhat I try to be the best, always trying to make everyone #happy #LookAtMe #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran #streetcats

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Jan 2, 2015 at 10:49am PST

I’m the youngest in my #family so I’ve been #pampered by everyone #LuckyMe This is #MyPad #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Jan 3, 2015 at 7:05am PST

“My #friends call me #galaxy, look into my #eyes and you’ll know why.” #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran #streetcats

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Jan 4, 2015 at 2:48am PST

” #Professor is the name, #teaching is the #game. I wish more people would ask questions and then #JustFuckingGoogle the #answers” #grumpyCat #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran #streetcats

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Jan 4, 2015 at 9:06am PST

“I’m supposed to handle the #familyBusiness, but I really want to be a #singer. #People say I’m pretty good. Want me to #sing something for you?” #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Jan 5, 2015 at 8:09am PST

“My best #friend #tookOff with my #fiancé and I could do #nothing. I don’t understand what went wrong, #why? Why? WHY?” #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran #streetcats

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Jan 6, 2015 at 2:17am PST

#LeaveMeAlone #DoNotDisturb me or I’ll beat you up. #GoAway #CatsOfIran #cat #Iran #streetcats

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Jan 6, 2015 at 9:33am PST

“I like to make people wait for me and be #late for the #party. Makes me #FeelSpecial” #CatsOfIran #streetcats #cat #Iran Last day in Tehran folks, glad you enjoyed the Cats Of Iran project. Until next time, Meeaaooowwww!

A photo posted by Ravi Tahilramani (@drrave) on Jan 8, 2015 at 10:53am PST