Shavi Sikaria was introduced to photography through photo trips with her dad growing up and continued nurturing her passion for the craft in high school. In college, she took a photography class where she was encouraged to create this book.

She was inspired by Gauri Gill, a talented Indian photographer who captures images of rural communities through a collaborative process. Gill’s work centers marginalized people and encourages their authentic self expression. Shavi Sikaria mirrored this concept by photographing those at the center of society instead, and highlighting a privileged lifestyle at her school, Santa Clara University.

For her, this project has been an exploration of photography, community, and the privilege she has in what students colloquially refer to as “Claradise”.