When Modi took his 'Time'

If three “Time” reporters took two hours to elicit an over-7,100-word interview from Narendra Modi, the photographer took almost an hour to get the right clicks of the image-conscious prime minister for the magazine's cover as well as the inside pages.

Peter Hapak, a contract photographer for “Time” magazine, got a “lengthy” and “unusual” photo session with Modi, who loves to take “selfies” with his mobile phone.
Hapak, a known name in the field of portrait photography, said he had a “very fortunate session” with Modi.

“I had a full hour with him, which is very unusual because most of the time I only have 10 minutes for a portrait session. For portraiture, it is very important to make your subject forget that you are here, that somebody is watching him. It was enough time for him to get comfortable,” he was quoted by “Time” as saying.

The shoot was the culmination of a three-day visit to New Delhi. Hapak said on the second day, they were granted access to the prime minister's residence at 7, Race Course Road.

“We made a complete scout. We were able to go through his office, his lounges and his garden, where he spends a lot of his time when he's alone,” said Hapak, who has shot more than 15 covers for “Time”.

On the day of the shoot, said the “Time” report, Hapak spent 30 minutes shooting Modi's portrait for the cover.

“I was shooting a wide range against different backgrounds. After the cover shoot, he took a walk outside, and I told him to do what he would usually do if I were not there. It was only the two of us,” said Hapak.