Reminiscing about the beginning of his journey, he says, " When I was in the eighth standard, I was presented with a camera, which is when it all started. From then on, the camera has been my best friend. I started taking pictures and learning through experience. People also started paying me to take pictures at functions, and the money coming in from this supported my hobby".

Not one to get discouraged easily, the lack of funds and equipment did not deter him. He collected funds over the years and when he was still very young (in standard 11 ) he set up a small studio in Amravati. A professional photographer from this point, he continued taking pictures of events, but also started working on subjects of interest to him. His muse is nature with a focus on microphotography. "When people take pictures of wildlife they focus on the more obvious aspects, like the big cats or other animals. But if I take a picture of a flower I would focus on the center of it. Every aspect of the flower is beautiful, not just the petals and my objective is to bring forth aspects that people would otherwise overlook." Shelare applies this theory to most of his pieces. "I have taken pictures of mine-workers and their children. They are covered in dust from dawn to dusk and afflicted with numerous illnesses. My objective is to draw awareness towards their plight," he says. This he has done in an innovative way by exhibiting the painting on the road in front of the collector's office in Yevatmal in what he terms a 'road show'.

His current exhibition on the Taj Mahal, to be held at the Art2Day gallery on Tilak Road from February 26th to March 2nd from 11 am to 7 p.m., is a collection of pictures that both fascinate and inspire. "My idea was to showcase the Taj in different seasons and climates. In order to capture these different facets, I used to spend between four to five days in every season and in different weather conditions. I did this over a period of two years", he explains.