AIPHH
A studio reduced to ashes. A fatal road accident. A grieving father’s tear-filled eyes.
These are not just stories of tragedy — they are the moments that gave birth to AIPHH – All India Photographers Helping Hand Foundation. Founded by Dharam A Saroj, this organisation has today become the voice of thousands of photographers across India.
The Event, the Bond, the Group
A photography event was organised. Photographers from different corners of the country came together. Two days, just two days. Yet the bond that was formed during those two days was built not on formality or business cards — it was built from the heart.
The event ended, but the connection was never meant to.
A WhatsApp group was created and named “Helping Hand”. It started small. Someone would share editing tips, someone else would explain legal documents, another would guide on client management. From 10 to 20, from 20 to 30 — slowly and steadily, the group grew into a family.
The Call That Changed Everything
One night — while on a destination wedding shoot in Igatpuri — a call came in from AIPHH President Rahul Kumar Hari.
In Uttar Pradesh, a photographer named Brijesh had lost everything. His studio had been destroyed in fire — cameras, equipment, and years of memories — all turned to ash.
Within two days, ₹21,000 was collectively raised by the group members. They personally reached out to Brijesh and handed him the support. When he broke down in tears, that was the moment — a WhatsApp group became a movement.
That Afternoon in Sirsa
In Sirsa, Haryana, a photographer named Malkeet Singh — lovingly known to everyone as Ajay — was on a wedding shoot when a speeding car struck him. He passed away on the spot.
When the news reached the group, a single question followed — “Can we help his family?”
The answer was — “Yes.”
Once again, ₹21,000 was raised. AIPHH President Rahul Kumar Hari, AIPHH Vice President Sunil Saini, AIPHH Haryana President Hemant Yadav, and AIPHH Secretary Deeppak R Sahni travelled to Sirsa. When they stood before Ajay’s father — a man whose eyes held immeasurable pain, yet whose voice carried only gratitude and blessings — a decision was made:
“We will not just run a business.”
The Birth of AIPHH
That very day marked the founding of AIPHH – All India Photographers Helping Hand Foundation.
An organisation built on one belief: that community must rise above competition. Today, AIPHH is active across multiple states and has grown into a powerful national movement.
On two separate occasions, ₹21,000 was raised and delivered — first for Brijesh, whose studio had burned down, and then for the family of Malkit Singh (Ajay), who lost his life on the job. These were not just monetary contributions — they carried a message: no photographer should ever feel alone.
And then something unexpected happened. The giving did not stop. Like one flame lighting another, one act of help inspired the next. Members began stepping forward on their own — checking on photographers in their cities, reaching out to those in difficulty, and extending a helping hand without being asked. The group was no longer just a group. It had become a living, breathing community — one where helping others was not a habit, but a way of life.
AIPHH Regional Teams
What began as a WhatsApp group has today grown into a national movement. AIPHH – All India Photographers Helping Hand Foundation currently has active Regional Teams across 15 states:
Delhi | Uttarakhand | Himachal Pradesh | Haryana | Uttar Pradesh | Rajasthan | Gujarat | Maharashtra | Madhya Pradesh | Bihar | Jharkhand | Odisha | Telangana | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka
Each state has a dedicated Regional Team that listens to local photographers, supports them in times of need, and connects them to the larger AIPHH family. These are not just pins on a map — they are teams of real people who are ready, day and night, for their fellow photographers.
Why AIPHH Matters
India is home to millions of photographers — freelancers, wedding photographers, photojournalists, and more. Yet, for the longest time, there was no unified platform for them, no legal support, and no safety net.
AIPHH – All India Photographers Helping Hand Foundation is changing that:
Uniting Photographers — building a community that believes in collaboration over competition.
Training & Education — equipping photographers with professional skills, technical knowledge, and business acumen so they can grow in their careers.
Safety & Support — providing resources and a support system for photographers working in challenging field conditions.
Fighting for Rights — standing up against copyright violations, unpaid work, and exploitation, and giving photographers a voice to reclaim what is rightfully theirs.
This Is Just the Beginning
The vision of AIPHH – All India Photographers Helping Hand Foundation goes beyond providing aid. The goal is to ensure that every wedding photographer in India is seen as a professional artist — educated, empowered, and confident enough to stand before any client with dignity and self-assurance.
If any photographer in India is going through a difficult time, they are not alone. Behind them stands Dharam A Saroj, a team, a family, and a movement called AIPHH.
This story is far from over. This is only the beginning.
Connect with AIPHH – All India Photographers Helping Hand Foundation:
Visit Website: www.aiphh.org
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