Meet the Photographer

Hey, my name is Raghul Shanmuganathan

Hi, I’m Raghul. I am a photographer based in the Öresund region (Malmö/CPH) with an obsession for cinematic visuals. I work as a Project Manager in the tech industry full-time and am currently following my artistic passion more seriously.


My background in photography didn't start in a pristine, perfectly lit studio. It started out in the wild, capturing unpredictable wildlife, harsh Nordic landscapes, casual portraits for friends, and bold architecture. That foundation taught me how to read natural light and find beauty in deep shadows.


Today, I bring that same dramatic, atmospheric style to human subjects. I don’t shoot light, airy, pastel photos. I shoot moody, high-contrast images that feel like a movie. When I am not behind the camera, you can usually find me building in the tech world or planning my next conceptual shoot.

Get in touch

The Muse: Milena Milosavljevic

About me: TBD

Milena Milosavljevic

Muse

 

The Core Vision

 

 

Vibe: "Busy workday" or "lost in thought" cinematic aesthetic. High-end, sophisticated, and slightly vintage, contrasting the sharp workday attire with the rustic charm of Malmö's cafes and clean city architecture.


The Contrast: We are contrasting sharp, modern workday attire with the rustic, historical charm of Malmö's cafe culture and clean urban architecture.

 

The Color Palette

 

  • The Anchor: Rich coffee-brown from the tailored double-breasted suit.


  • Soft Neutrals: Beige and champagne tones via the blouse, layered coat, and pumps.


  • Sharp Accents: Grounding touches of solid black via hats, flats, and bags.


  • The Details: Statement gold rings and a rose gold watch, paired with dark violet nails for a sophisticated pop of color.

 

Wardrobe & Styling

Since we are dealing with chilly weather, layering is key. Here are the distinct combinations we can work with from what you've shared:


  • The Base: Coffee-brown double-breasted suit jacket and pants with a beige/champagne blouse.


  • Outerwear: Beige coat (perfect for draping over the shoulders) or a black coat for variation.


  • Footwear Rotation:
  • Editorial / Cafe: Beige Nine West pumps.
  • Urban Strut: Black textured flats with a gold heel accent.
  • Scandi-Cool Contrast: White Lacoste sneakers with gold logo.


  • Accessories: Wide tortoise shell sunglasses, narrow translucent sunglasses, a small beige or black crossbody bag, and a black matte hat.

Locations & Environment

  • The Meeting Point: A cafe near Malmö Stortorg to grab a coffee, and talk through the final ideas.


  • ​The Streets: We will use busy, interesting thoroughfares like Friisgatan, Södra Förstadsgatan, Drottninggatan, or Lilla torg to get that authentic "walking through the crowd" aesthetic.

The Cinematic Shots (What to Expect)

  • The Voyeur: Shot from outside the cafe, looking in through the glass while you are sipping coffee or working with laptop playing with street reflections.
  • The Commute: Action shots of you walking confidently toward the camera, using a slightly longer lens to compress the busy background behind you.
  • ​The Cafe Candid: Relaxed, documentary-style shots while we review the plan at the cafe.
  • ​The Urban Lean: Utilizing the architecture of Malmö, leaning against brick walls or modern glass storefronts to contrast with the vintage feel.
  • The Crosswalk Prowl: A dynamic, low-angle shot of you striding confidently across a Malmö intersection. We will use a wide aperture (f/1.4) to blur the passing cars, bikes, and pedestrians, making you the undeniable focal point of the bustling street.
  • ​The Window Reflection: Shooting from the outside looking in (or vice versa) through the glass of a coffee shop or storefront. We will catch the reflection of the city streets and architecture overlaid softly across your silhouette for a moody, artistic portrait.
  • The Editorial Macro: Ultra-tight, magazine-style close-ups focusing on specific facial details - a sharp focus on your eyes looking just past the camera, the reflection of the Malmö architecture in your sunglasses, or a tight frame on your lips as you take a sip of coffee. This breaks up the wider street shots and adds a sophisticated, high-end beauty element to the final gallery.
The gear & why

Camera Body: Canon EOS M50 Mark II


This compact mirrorless body is the perfect tool for urban street photography. Because it is small and unobtrusive, it allows us to shoot in busy areas like Friisgatan or Gustav Adolfs torg without drawing a crowd or feeling like a heavy, intimidating commercial film set. It keeps the vibe fast, candid, and relaxed.


Primary Lens: Sigma 30mm f/1.4


This is our core storytelling lens. The massive f/1.4 aperture is the secret ingredient for that "cinematic" look—it creates a beautifully blurred background (bokeh) that instantly separates you from the busy city behind you. It ensures the maroon leather jacket and your expressions are the undeniable focal point of every shot.


Portrait Lens: Canon 50mm


On my camera system, this acts as a short telephoto lens. I will swap to this specifically for the tighter, editorial "Detail Cutaways" and the "Window Reflection" concepts. It compresses the background, visually pulling the Malmö architecture closer behind you while capturing the rich textures of your outfit with tack-sharp precision.

Practical Details & Checklist

When & Where?

  • Date: March 7, 2026
  • ​Time: 14:30
  • ​Location: Meeting near Stortorg in Malmö.

What I am bringing (Raghul)?

  • Professional camera body and a variety of lenses (including a wide-aperture lens for those cinematic f/1.4 blurred background shots, and a longer lens to compress the busy street scenes).
  • A digital copy of our mood board and shot list so we can review our plan at the cafe.

What you are bringing (Milena)?

  • Our chosen outfit base: the coffee-brown double-breasted suit and beige/champagne blouse.


  • Outerwear options for layering and contrast: the beige coat (perfect for draping over shoulders) and the black coat.


  • Footwear options to test different vibes: Beige Nine West pumps and black textured flats with the gold heel (Optional: white Lacoste sneakers)


  • Useful props and accessories: Wide tortoiseshell and narrow translucent sunglasses, statement gold rings, rose gold watch, small beige or black bag, and the black matte hat & winter scarf.

How long does it take to get our photos?

For a shoot like this, I’d say roughly 1.5 to 2 hours is the sweet spot. That gives us plenty of time to be creative and try different angles without feeling rushed.