Getting to Know Kiran Karnani

Kiran Karnani is one of the more prominent faces representing the Leica brand in the U.S. and across the globe. During her tenure as VP of Marketing for Leica Camera Inc., she has been pivotal in steering Leica toward new horizons, especially in causes that are important to building community, inclusion, and raising the voices of underrepresented photographers – particularly women. To know her is to know that she is passionate about her work, about Leica, and about understanding the shared Leica experiences that bring people together. For her, Leica is more than just a job. She famously said that (next to having her children) the best decision she ever made was to align herself with the Leica brand because at the heart of the company is the value they place on community and a shared passion for Leica photography.

Kiran’s background is rooted in the garment industry, where she managed production and marketing for her family’s business in apparel manufacturing. “Growing up in a family business involving my father, his brothers, their sons, and their wives, our collective conversations focused on work,” she described. “For us, the separation between work and personal did not exist. The two co-existed in harmony through a passion for work and family.” Indeed, work has always been “close to home” for Kiran and in many ways, she regards the Leica family as part of her own. In speaking with her, it’s easy to see the personal connection she enjoys with Leica and the people who stand behind it. It is the kind of connection that is essential to success.

Leica Q2, 1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 6400

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If you’ve never met Kiran and asked someone about her, you will have likely heard the phrase, “Kiran’s wonderful!” That was certainly the case with me when I asked a colleague, "who is this person, Kiran, I keep hearing about?” When we finally met for the first time at an LHSA event in Seattle in October 2021, she and Mike Giannattasio, President of Leica Camera Inc., were there to make a presentation to our conference attendees. I heard the animation in her voice when she spoke about the “Women in Photography” campaign. She spoke movingly about the need for inclusiveness and the art of storytelling to help create a sense of real community. Later, when I complimented her for the work she was doing, she was quick to deflect any credit and gave kudos to Leica's leadership and others who have helped along the way. In addition, to the other superlatives I heard from others about her, I could now add one more, humility.

In the months since, LHSA has found no better friend than working with Kiran in strengthening its partnership with Leica USA/AG. She and Mike G. have been unwavering supporters of the Society by exploring collaborative programs, ideas and advocating for our Society in unprecedented ways. As a result, our membership is higher than ever, thanks partly to special email campaigns from Leica, not to mention their donation of $5,000 and an M10 camera and lens toward the 2022 LHSA Annual Photo Grant. They are offering similar support for the LHSA/Leica Women’s Photography Grant, which we will offer in the spring of 2023. Kiran and Mike G. see the International Leica Society as an opportunity to build a stronger Leica community, and we are proud to be an active part of that effort.

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Kiran and find out a little bit about her photographic journey in hopes of showing a more personal side to our Viewfinder readers. Below are excerpts from our “email” and Zoom conversations.

RR: In your webinar with LHSA earlier this year, you mentioned that your Leica photography journey began with your parents, particularly your father. You described him as pausing the flow of family events so that he could record them for posterity. In those early childhood experiences, were you drawn to photography or the images first?

KK: Neither photography nor the images. What I remember is the impact of pausing time to record the moment. For my father, the camera was an opportunity to express to his subject, his value of their presence, pausing time to record a shared experience. We chase light with our cameras, and my father’s purpose in making photos was to make his subjects feel radiant. In those early experiences, I was drawn to human connection, to the value of seeing moments that matter while simultaneously feeling seen.

RR: And when was the first time you picked up a camera on your own and created your own images?

KK: The first time I picked up a camera – with the intention to tell a story - was at 18. I spent time in India to immerse myself in a culture I was part of, but largely unfamiliar with as a second-generation American. I bought a camera and rolls of black & white film from a local photo lab in Mumbai and started exploring and documenting. There were groups of children I’d pass by daily, some who lived on the streets lining the apartment buildings near Breach Candy. The camera served to remove our language barrier, making portraits and sharing the printed photograph where possible. I no longer have access to those images but hold dear the memory of them.

RR: How has your photographic journey evolved from that moment to today?

KK: My interest in photography is anchored in fostering emotional connections. Recording time through images feels expansive, expressive, and evolutionary to my life experience and continues to be part of the way I engage and interact with the world. There is no shortage of inspiration from legends and icons for the next generation of photographers: Henri Cartier-Bresson, Vivian Maier, Gordon Parks, Sebastião Salgado, Ralph Gibson, Maggie Steber, Lynn Johnson, Rania Matar, Todd Hido, Devin Allen, Andre Wagner – the list goes on. With each image that inspires us, each image we make and share, we contribute to the evolution of our collective photographic journey.

''...a Leica is a camera with a soul."

RR: With all that inspiration to nurture you, how would you describe the experience of making photographs with a Leica as compared to other cameras? Which is your favorite Leica camera?

KK: Recording moments with a Leica is an experience. There’s an inherent emotional connection between a photographer and their Leica, a focus on the essentials – das Wesentliche – and a shared commitment to reduce distractions between photographer and subject. The camera doesn’t get in the way of a moment but rather, serves as an extension of the eye to see in synergy with the photographer’s way of seeing. With this focus on the “essence” of a moment, it has been said that a Leica is a camera with a soul. Ralph Gibson has been quoted as saying, “Learn how your lens sees - your lens will learn how your eye sees.” With other cameras, I’ve felt constrained by the way the camera wants to record a moment over the way I envision the photograph. I don’t enjoy post-processing, and with Leica, I’m satisfied with the resulting images straight off the sensor. My favorite Leica cameras are the Q2 – the weight, size and image quality make it easy to carry daily, and the M11. The USB-C connection on the M11 makes transferring images to my phone a breeze, the improved battery life and internal storage are truly remarkable.

RR: What kinds of photography are you drawn to? People, landscapes, abstracts, moods, etc.?

KK: I love photographing people and places – making emotional connections in the process. There’s an energy of a moment that I try to record but not control. As Maggie Steber once described, “Photographs are like our children. We put the best of ourselves into them - the best of our vision, our minds, our hearts - and thenwe send them out into the world. At some moment, perhaps the moment we click the shutter, they are being released. From that moment on, they don't really belong to us anymore.” The presenting energy and emotion in any given moment is what drives me to press the shutter.

RR: When you are making photographs, would you describe yourself as an instinctual shooter or are you analyzing what is in front of you?

KK: Highly instinctual. My primary driver in making photographs is the experience and emotional connection between three audiences: the subject, the viewer, and myself.

RR: You have said that aligning yourself with the Leica values/brand was one of the best decisions of your life. Can you elaborate on what specific values or ideals of the Leica brand are in concert with your own?

KK: We talked about Leica’s commitment to the essence of the moment, providing photographers just the essentials to make a photograph, free of distraction. Not only do we believe in the integrity of our cameras and lenses, but also in the resulting images. We invite you to get closer to your subject, to be mindful with the moment, to think differently and with intention. With this ethos, our brand campaign, The World Deserves Witnesses, invites us all to record moments in time, no matter how big or small, as a shared responsibility towards the next generation. Bearing witness to our world, being fully present to see and record the beauty, the charm, the grace and the moments in between, fully aligns with my personal values and beliefs. Leica shines light on moments that matter, and it’s my belief that every moment matters.

"Leica shines light on moments that matter, and it’s my belief that every moment matters."

RR: Among the many achievements you have made with Leica, certainly one of the more passionate of these is your work promoting the voices of women. What would you say are the most salient points you try to communicate about the importance of women in photography?

KK: Photography has the power to inform the way we see and interpret our world. Diverse perspectives serve to reshape a single narrative to afford the viewer more opportunities to determine how they choose to receive visual information. With fluidity on our definitions of gender, there’s a sense of responsibility to amplify visual stories from underrepresented voices to evolve the way we think, see, act, and feel.

The Leica Women Foto Project was conceived through a conversation with Maggie Steber, whose experiences sparked opportunities. Maggie shared stories of her remarkable career, candidly expressing the challenges she and others have experienced as a woman in photography. We identified that women need three things to serve their success in the field of photography: 1) Funding 2) Equipment 3) Mentorship. And with that conversation, the Leica Women Foto Project was born. With Karin Rehn-Kaufmann at the forefront of Leica’s commitment to art & culture - leading with the Oskar Barnack Award, the Leica Hall of Fame Award, and now, the Leica Women Foto Project Award - the pursuit of an initiative that amplifies underrepresented voices in photography in a meaningful way delivers the most fulfilling experiences on both a professional and personal level.

RR: The classical composer, Felix Mendelssohn once said that life and art are not two different things. How have your own values/experiences informed the way you conceive and communicate the Leica brand?

KK: With visionaries and icons leading the Leica brand – Dr. Kaufmann, Mrs. Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, Mattias Harsch, Stefan Daniel, Peter Karbe, Andrea Pacella, Mike Giannattasio and more, shared values towards the pursuit of optical excellence and the essential experience of making a photograph become intrinsic values on a personal level. With the recent record-breaking auction, we continue our service as stewards of the Leica brand, holding the legacy, heritage and innovation with utmost care, respect, and reverence.

RR: Likewise, how has Leica (and the camera) changed or fulfilled your life?

KK: There is always a moment to be inspired with Leica. From visionary talks by Dr. Kaufmann, to the cultural initiatives driven by Mrs. Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, to Mike Giannattasio’s inspiring leadership, the people, products and community uplift and motivate.

Experiencing the evolution of our community in their own personal journey through the world of Leica photography while bearing witness to their remarkable accomplishments is deeply rewarding. One camera can say so much, but it’s the community that brings light to the story. The growth and expansion of our photo community is deeply influential towards my own way of seeing.

Our relationship with LHSA grows stronger with each year. Working in partnership with LHSA on philanthropic efforts underscores our shared commitment to amplify underrepresented voices in photography with exciting opportunities. With initiatives like the Leica Oskar Barnack Award to LHSA’s Grant to the Leica Women Foto Project, there’s no shortage of opportunities to feel purposeful and fulfilled.

"LHSA is an important voice of Leica and plays an integral role in our evolution."

LHSA holds a set of keys to the Leica legacy. From the preservation of our history to the stories each member creates and shares, LHSA is an important voice of Leica and plays an integral role in our evolution. Th ere’s an interesting dance between legacy and personal fulfi llment: how do we choose to see and carry our visual expression for generations to come? Any camera can record time. With a Leica, we choose to see with deliberate intention, authentic to our visual perspective, for stories that transcend time.

RR: It has been a joy to learn more about you I have one final question: I have oft en said that Leica is to cameras as Apple is to computers. Both are beautiful in design and functionality; in our hands, they transform into an extension of ourselves rather than a mere camera or computer. How can Leica enthusiasts, leverage this passion to make a diff erence and give the world much deserved witness?

KK: Th rough the active participation in the recording and sharing of life’s journey. With Leica in hand, we bear a responsibility to tell our unique story. By documenting moments that matter and observing that every moment is one that matters, we co-create visual stories the world deserves.

I want to thank Kiran for sharing her story with Viewfi nder and for sharing her images with us. We are happy to announce that Viewfinder will also be featuring the 2022 recipients and mentees of the Leica Women Foto Project Grant in upcoming issues. It will be an honor to bring their work to you.

“Kiran’s dedication not only to the Leica brand but to our Leica community fuels the scope of storytelling and passion that brings us all together as artists. Her support of my transition to the company two years ago is unending and she continuously strives to support every aspect of our brand to continuously build upon the legacy of Leica.”

– Mike Giannattasio

President, Leica Camera Inc.

Leica Q2, 1/3200 sec, f/8, ISO 100