About Shari Academy: A Leader in Photography Education

For over three decades, Shari Academy of Professional Photography and Digital Imaging, Mumbai, has been a trusted name in photography education. Founded in 1991, the academy has trained more than 2,500 students from India and abroad.

Since the beginning, our aim has been simple, to help creative minds grow into confident professionals. We blend hands-on practice with creative exploration so that every student learns both skill and vision.

Moreover, professionals across the photography industry often speak about our lasting influence. Many highlight how our structured courses prepare students for the challenges of today’s fast-changing creative world. In addition, brand partners appreciate how our graduates bring both technical skill and original thinking to every project. This strong industry support shows that meaningful education must always link learning with real-world experience.

As an X-Ambassador for Fujifilm India, our Director Hridgandha Mistry continues to strengthen our ties with top global brands. Through these collaborations, students gain access to the latest technology, expert mentors, and exciting career opportunities. You can explore Fujifilm India’s dedication to promoting education in photography by visiting the Fujifilm India Official Website.

The success stories of our alumni speak for themselves. Many have received national and international awards, often for projects that began right here at Shari Academy. Therefore, their journeys remind us that strong training and creative guidance can open global doors. To know more about how our courses shape careers, visit our Courses Page and explore our diploma and workshop programs.

At Shari Academy, photography is not just a subject, it is a journey of growth, creativity, and purpose. With consistent support from the industry and recognition around the world, we remain committed to guiding every student toward a future filled with confidence, skill, and success.

Shari Academy, Since 1991

Girish Mistry Dean – Shari Academy

Image Maker

The advent of digital technology has had the biggest impact in the Art, Science and Business of photography after the invention of color films.

Digital cameras, labs, storage devices, digital manipulation software, etc. have completely and dramatically changed the photography business as the world has known since it began. This synergy between the old and contemporary, results in great images.

The impact of visual communication is seen by the innumerable images we see every day in our environment. Photographers are often at the forefront as they document history and social changes.

The resources of these image makers are tapped by virtually all industries and very few people will be unaffected by photographic image capture, in its varied usages and application. The contemporary formally trained image maker is not only a respected self employed professional but also a very well paid artist.

The average monthly salary for photographers in India would be from Rs.15,000/- to Rs.45,000/- and the average professional fee charged by a self employed professional is Rs. 10,000/- to Rs.50,000/- plus per day.

So if you have the spark, an ankur, a seed, that the fire of imagination ignites… come to us with your own passion and vision And the process begins… an idea begins to take shape evolving and changing, it is forged and molded and refined… the best thing about this passionate process is that it never ends… wherever your road leads you.

A career that combines creativity with the challenge of business is a lifelong adventure.

Kenichiro Hibi, Managing Director, Sony India.

“Sony India is really glad to partner with Shari Academy, an institution devoted to inspire and inculcate photography culture in India. The academia has done some exceptional work in nurturing young photography talent in the country and it is this common aspiration to promote the photography culture in India that brings us together. Backed by Sony, Shari Academy will be conducting workshops for its students and Alpha customers across India to enhance and enrich their photography experience. Through such initiatives, we hope to lay a strong foundation to develop the photography culture in India and touch more and more people interested in photography. I wish the photo fraternity of Shari Academy the very best in their endeavours and hope they have a great photo future.”

Jayesh Mehta President, AIPTIA

“It is a great pleasure to note that Shari Academy, India’s premier Adobe accredited photography institute is completing its 20th years of services to the Nation. The Institute has been doing laudable services in producing professional photographers who are excelling in their profession throughout the length and breadth of our great country. I am proud to send my hearty congratulations to the Founder leader of the Institute Shri Girish Mistry and wish the Institute all the best to cross many more milestones”.

Vihang VASA Owner – Photonics Enterprise

“Recently I gave lecture and demo at Girish Mistry’s Shari Academy. It was matter of pride and honor for me. Way back in year 1992, when I was in SSC, I had gone to Girish Mistry’s Shari Academy for admission with my father. I was quite young and nervous. But Girish was kind. He asked me one question. “Do you know how to load the film in camera?” Yes I said – first check that there is no film in the camera, and then load the film in the camera under the shade. Etc. He was satisfied and took me in. That was beginning of my career in photo industry. Initially I started as an amateur commercial photographer and then went into photo trading. During all these years I worked with many celebrity photographers and traders and leading photo companies and came a long way from my modest beginning. But my association with Girish Mistry’s Shari Academy continued and he always supported me. At Girish Mistry’s Shari Academy, I not only learned photography but administration, business, finance, computer, human relationship, leadership and to understand photo industry etc. This knowledge has immensely helped me grow and become one of the most successful photo traders of high-end photo equipment in the country. I have visited many photo schools and met many photographers both in Indian and abroad and can say that Girish and his Shari Academy is absolutely of international class comparable with best in USA, UK and Europe.”

Mukul Kashyap, Country Manager, Vitec Creative Solutions

“Manfrotto have been in India and one of our key strategy has been to impart knowledge to budding talent , hobbyist , amateurs and practicing photographers. Across India, we choose a handful of schools for imparting product awareness and knowledge about our products. Shari Academy has been a preferred choice year on year for Manfrotto. It has been a 2 sided association. We get to hear what preferences India has for photo categories and with Shari, we share and hand over some of the best equipment we have for use amongst the students, all for a single aim- A stunning picture ! Our bond over the years has only strengthened, thanks to a commitment from an equally capable partner like Shari Academy”.

Greg Gorman

Celebrity Photographer, A Legend who has defined the art of personality photographer and who has shot portraits of Hollywood actors to advertising campaigns and fine art.

“Congratulations on all your work. The site is very impressive. The students work is very impressive, they are lucky to have a school dedicated only to photography in Mumbai as it is quite rare even in the USA and EUROPE too.”

John Cosgrove, Trainer, Epson Print Academy

Campus Mumbai on seeing the photographic images of The Mastercraftsman Graduates at the Luxoculus 2004

“The exhibition was beautiful, I was really surprised at the quality of work the young photographers showcased. I was looking at a professional exhibition in Singapore a couple of weeks ago and I was very disappointed with what I saw, and then I see this, and these are young guys with only 2 years of training and churning out extremely high quality work, made me think I am in the wrong country, Mumbai seems to be the place for photography and films and fashion, now I am going back and telling everyone about this academy.”

Photographers and students mainly prefer to work and learn in Mumbai and similar metros which have advertising agencies, publishing and newspaper media houses, fashion houses and designers, bollywood, fine art, etc.

Radhakrishanan Vijaykumar, Founder, Srishtidigilife

“Shari Academy is an amazing school and a reputable organisation with a team of educators who are well experienced in the field of professional photography and videography. The courses in the school aim to provide you with the knowledge and skills required for a career as a professional photographer or as a keen hobbyist. The master craftsman program is a comprehensive course covering every aspect of photography. Shari also has all the world-class equipment in photography which is very important for any student to have practical learning.”

Vimal Parmar, Marketing Consultant and Digital Print Evangelist with over 36 years of experience in the imaging industry.

“Shari Academy is amongst the finest and well-equipped institute that grooms students to world-class standards. Their enviable line-up of faculty and guest speakers coupled with close association with leading global brands, helps them to impart cutting-edge training”.