Toehold's team comprises of experienced professionals who are extremely passionate about what they do. They bring with them decades of experience in photography. Here is a team that will assist, guide and realise your dream.

JAYANTH SHARMA - CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

A former User eXperience specialist in an IT firm, Jayanth took up serious photography in 2004. After gradually moving out of IT to pursue his passion, Jayanth has established himself as a fine Natural history photographer in the recent years. He believes there is no meaning to wildlife photography if these pictures can't be used to protect or save them. He travels extensively to take pictures and report stories on birds and animals in order to generate awareness about the critical importance of conserving vulnerable Indian wildlife that is falling prey to a great many changes.

An accomplished photographer, Jayanth Sharma has bagged awards in wildlife photography and many recognitions in magazines and publishing houses. Jayanth loves traveling and believes he should explore all possible natural hotspots of the world before he leaves the planet. Jayanth has immense experience in travelling across various countries and continents like South America, Russia, Africa & South East Asia for photography. This is supplemented by his expertise in photography across all terrains of the Indian Sub continent. Be it the Himalayas or the unexplored north-east india or the tiger havens of central India, Jayanth has been there and done that in the subcontinent and is now exploring the rest of the world. Participants of his photo tours have always enjoyed his company where they learn and see a place from a perspective they had never imagined. Not to forget we have to mention the high potential photography and natural history knowledge he imparts through his very own flavor of humor.

You can have a look at Jayanth's work on his website www.wildlifetimes.com

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SUDHIR SHIVARAM - CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

Sudhir is a renowned wildlife photographer in India. His long and passionate association with photography began in his student days. What started out as an exploration of the enchanting world of the camera gradually gained direction and came to focus upon wildlife photography, in particular bird photography. Sudhir is deeply committed to the cause of wildlife conservation and follows ethical practices while photographing his subjects in the wild. He believes that wildlife photography is not underscored by photographic hardware and skills alone. A deep understanding of and concern for the wild environment ought to be an integral part of a good nature photographer's 'eye' in order to be able to convey the spirit behind a picture. His pictures are noteworthy for their technically sophisticated and evocative character, generating appropriate moods to move viewers. This green evangelist campaigns for wildlife protection around the world and gives freely of his time and images to raise awareness about nature and wildlife. He also talks about his work and the state of wildlife to young people across the counrty hoping to inspire and win their commitment to this cause so dear to him.
Sudhir is a Canon contractor photographer and is part of the Canon Professional Photographers Panel (CPPP) aimed at providing value added services for the Canon EOS Customer Loyalty Program, named the "Canon Edge Program". It is a platform where he interacts with Canon EOS customers, amateurs, serious amateurs and professionals to open up the Canon world to them.

Sudhir's work can be viewed at his website: www.thejunglelook.com

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GIRI CAVALE - CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

'Born in Bangalore but reborn again in the wild', captures the essence of Giri's obsessive passion for nature and its pictorial documenting. His camera and his artistic eye are always on the look out for a momentous picture and, of course, the perfect shot. He has explored some of India's most enthralling ecosystems across various seasons with the simple objective of seeing and photographing nature up close in its pristine purity. He readily admits that two precious 'colleagues' - luck and patience - have always accompanied him on his expeditions into the wild, yielding some very fine photographic moments and equally wonderful memories.

People believe where there is Giri, there is a cat in the wild. Many of our clients are specific about being guided by Giri in the wild which they believe is a toehold for their wild hunt. Giri Cavale is a nature devotee whose guiding philosophy is 'too much is never enough'.

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SACHIN RAI - DIRECTOR

A keen eye for wildlife and unique perspectives underline Sachin's journey as a nature lover and as a well-established name in the field of nature photography. Having travelled extensively through several remote corners of India for over a decade, Sachin brings with him great respect for nature and a holistic understanding of many of the environmental crises we face today. He loves Amphibians and Tigers and anyone who has ever been out with him in the field will appreciate his contagious craziness and witty sense of humour, things adding to worthwhile company!

Sachin has been documenting many of the less-known and less-noticed aspects of the wild and constantly perseveres to share his experiences with citizens and scientists, especially through his photography website - an enriching resource for budding wildlife enthusiasts and naturalists. He is an active supporter of many conservation NGOs and invests a lot of his time in their outreach activities. He has led several expeditions in search of rare species and ended up rediscovering a 'lost' species of frog, 73 years after its first sighting and description. Sachin has also been honoured with prestigious awards and accolades for his photography and his involvement in wildlife tourism adds great value to our clients' experience.

Sachin's work can be viewed on his website at www.landofthewild.com

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PHILLIP ROSS - PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Phillip is without a doubt the 'little master' of wildlife photography. Barely out of college with a commerce degree, Phillip already has a very impressive portfolio under his belt. He has traveled through wilderness areas across India, volunteered as a naturalist and has been doing a bird survey in Bannerghatta National Park for the last three years. His conservation inputs toward saving this National Park earned him a Wildlife Conservation Award in May '09. When out in the wild, luck always seems to favor Phillip, so he always has captivating stories of rare wildlife sightings to bring home. Phillip is an avid angler, and spends season after season down by the river.

Phillip possesses the uncanny ability to turn nature into art through his photographs, which have been published in various magazines, newspapers, journals and calendars. With his incredible skill with the camera combined with his extensive knowledge of wildlife, he is truly a force to be reckoned with!