Preserving art through prints: The journey of Kedar Bhide and Nature Works

Kedar Bhide’s life has been anything but ordinary. From his humble beginnings in the coastal town of Dahanu, 110 km from Mumbai, to founding Nature Works, a fine art and archival printing studio, his journey reflects his passion, perseverance, and love for the natural world. While many entrepreneurs set out with clear goals, Bhide’s path was far more organic, shaped by experiences that led him to blend his interest in photography and conservation into a thriving business.

Growing up by the sea in Dahanu, Bhide spent his childhood walking along the beach, collecting seashells, and simply enjoying the tranquillity of coastal life. He attended the KL Ponda High School, with no particular childhood ambitions but a sense of contentment that stayed with him. It was only later, during his academic journey in Mumbai, where he pursued a Master’s in Applied Biology and a Diploma in Management Studies, that Bhide would begin to chart a more structured path—though still far from what he would eventually do.

A corporate start

Like many, Bhide began his professional life in the corporate sector. His first role was as a technical officer with Pest Control India, which set the foundation for future corporate positions. Over the years, he took on roles including product manager with RPG Life Sciences, deputy general manager with Sumitomo Chemicals, and senior manager – South Asia with BASF. His final corporate stint was as global head – public health with Tagros Chemicals, a role that gave him global exposure and honed his skills in team management, understanding finer aspects of customer satisfaction, and managing deliverables.

But despite the steady climb up the corporate ladder, something was missing. Bhide’s love for photography, particularly nature and wildlife photography, had taken root years earlier. In 2017, a personal experience at his own photography exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai became a turning point. Faced with significant challenges in finding high-quality prints for his work, Bhide recognised a gap in the market for fine art printing that catered specifically to the needs of artists and photographers like himself. This realisation led to the birth of Nature Works, a business that would allow him to merge his professional skills with his personal passions.

Building Nature Works

Nature Works was founded in 2017, not far from Bhide’s home in Thane, Maharashtra. Specialising in fine art and archival printing, Nature Works is a boutique studio that serves a niche market, providing high-end archival prints for visual artists, including painters, illustrators, designers and photographers. Majority of his clientele are artists. Nature Works has three directors, one of whom is Bhide’s wife, Vidya Venkatesh, and the other is a close friend.

The company’s early years were slow and steady. It took five years to break even, but the growth has been organic and consistent, with a 16-20% increase in revenue each year. Today, Nature Works caters to artists not only across India but also in the USA and Europe. Bhide takes pride in serving artists from smaller cities like Indore, Patiala, Silchar, and Madhubani, where access to high-quality printing technology is limited. Artists also appreciate the drop-shipping facility provided by Nature Works, as it allows them to focus on the creative process without worrying about shipping logistics.

What makes Nature Works unique is the personal collaboration Bhide insists on with every client. He and his team work closely with artists to ensure that each print is a perfect representation of the artist’s vision. The studio uses top-tier brands like Hahnemühle, Felix Schoeller, Ilford and TechNova to produce archival-quality prints on both paper and canvas. Its equipment, including Epson SureColor printers, Eizo monitors, and high-resolution Canon cameras, ensures that each project is executed with precision. In brief, at Nature Works, Bhide goes beyond simply printing files; he offers a comprehensive platform where artists can bring in their paintings for a highly specialised process. Bhide photographs the artwork using custom setups designed to eliminate image distortion and ensure perfectly even lighting. The image is then meticulously processed on calibrated monitors to match the print as closely as possible to the original. This same attention to detail extends to photographers, many of whom bring in files that need further refinement. In addition to vibrant colour prints on various types of media, Nature Works is renowned for producing stunning black-and-white prints. Apart from being a Hahnemühle Certified Studio for digital fine art printing, Nature Works is also the winner of PrintWeek Fine Art Printer of the Year Award in 2023.

Shares Bhide, “Entry level pricing at our print studio start around Rs. 500 and can go up in multiples depending on the media type, framing options, print size, shipping destination and such.”

Nature Works has won the PrintWeek Fine Art Printer of the Year Award in 2023

Challenges and triumphs

Bhide says, “Running a fine art printing studio comes with its own set of challenges, especially in a niche segment like this. Customer acquisition can be a long process, and the high cost of inventory means that working capital is often stretched thin. Price competition is also fierce.” But Bhide has always maintained that “quality is the ultimate differentiator.” At Nature Works, shared Bhide, “the goal is not just to produce prints but to create an experience for the artist—one that culminates in moments of awe and appreciation when they see their work in print.”

One such memorable moment came when a customer described Bhide and his team as a “blessing.” It is feedback like this that keeps him motivated, knowing that he is helping artists bring their visions to life in a way that respects both the art and the medium.

 Nature Works took five years to break even, but the growth has been organic and consistent, with a 16-20% increase in revenue each year

Innovations and trends

Always on the lookout for new trends, Bhide has recently introduced Chromaluxe metal prints to Nature Works’ offerings. These prints have been well-received and Bhide hopes that the demand for this will slowly gather momentum. Bhide also remains optimistic about the future of sustainable printing, especially the use of eco-friendly papers made from hemp, bamboo, and agave. In fact, Nature Works has been using sustainable materials and actively works to reduce waste by shredding and repurposing paper waste for packaging.

The Future of Fine Art Printing

Looking ahead, Bhide believes that specialisation will define the future of fine art printing. As the industry evolves, he sees a shift toward more collaborative and professional relationships between printers and their clients. Printers will no longer be seen as mere vendors but as integral parts of the creative process, helping artists achieve the perfect print of their creations. Bhide would love to invite art curators and gallery owners to his print studio to share with them the nuances of fine art print reproductions, highlighting the potential of including these reproductions in their offerings. This approach not only complements original paintings but also extends the reach of an artist’s work to a much wider audience.

At Nature Works, this approach is already in place. Bhide deliberately avoids offering an online portal for file uploads, preferring to discuss each project in person or over the phone with his clients. This ensures that he fully understands the artist’s vision before the printing process begins, and allows him to offer his expertise in media selection, framing options and other aspects.

Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

For those interested in entering the fine art printing business, Bhide’s advice is simple: learn every aspect of the process yourself. The more hands-on experience you have, the better equipped you will be to troubleshoot issues and deliver the kind of quality that sets you apart from the competition. Understanding the nuances of printing technology, colour management, media selection, archival framing, and customer service is key to success in this niche market.

Beyond Nature Works

Outside of his work at Nature Works, Bhide is passionate about wildlife photography, biodiversity conservation, and scuba diving. His travels have taken him to places like Ladakh in extreme winter, which remains his favourite escape. He also runs a campaign called – Zero Bites, aimed at mitigating snakebite deaths in India, reflecting his deep commitment to both nature and community.

Bhide further shared that “After a long working day, I typically unwind by watching OTT content, reading books, or meeting friends.” Over the years, different books have impacted him at various stages of his life. “One book that particularly influenced my perspective on photography is Frans Lanting’s LIFE, which provided me with a new perspective in the way I photograph” said Bhide.

For Bhide, the journey has always been about more than just business. It is about creating something meaningful, preserving art through prints, and ensuring that artists have the tools they need to showcase their work in the best possible light. As Nature Works continues to grow, Bhide’s vision remains clear: to be a trusted partner for artists and photographers across India and beyond, helping them bring their creative visions to life, one print at a time.

In conclusion, Bhide’s family life mirrors his dedication to both conservation and the arts. His wife, Vidya, is passionately engaged in wildlife conservation, and their children have followed creative paths as designers and writers, enriching the family’s legacy of artistic and environmental commitment. Meanwhile, Bhide harbours an ambition of one day learning to play a musical instrument, adding yet another layer to his multifaceted life.

(Vimal Parmar is an independent marketing consultant and digital print evangelist)