#18: Chandigarh Aashiqui to Photography!

Meet Chandigarh ki kudi, Simran Jagdev Gulati, who loves to shoot. OK, don’t get me wrong. She’s a fabulous wedding photographer who has no Diploma in photography, but is still making a lot of noise in this industry. “I am actually Masters in Finance and Investment from the University of Nottingham, UK and was working at a MNC in Gurgaon from 2007-2012. I quit my job in April last year, to pursue photography full-time. Honestly, it fell right in place with my wedding that took place in November 2012. It has been over a year since I took it up full time,” she shares. 

It’s true that your true love can spot the potential in you faster than you, yourself. In 2009, her then fiancé, (now her husband) Mohit Gulati, gifted her a Photography Workshop in Delhi. Since photography was the only stress buster she enjoyed during her hectic work schedule, Simran took it up without giving a second thought. 

Simran never planned on becoming a professional photographer, until she got her first break. “I have always been taking photographs whenever and wherever I travel, but doing weddings is a different ball game altogether. I have been shooting for a few years now and I enjoy every bit of it, even when it's not easy. The whole process from capturing something, working on it afterwards and satisfying people with the end product makes me happy. I love to take photos and am lucky enough to make a living doing so!” she exclaims.

Simran shares that being a woman; initially shooting weddings was tough. “I felt extremely awkward holding my camera and shooting people. I also got stares from a lot of people. Now I am much more confident. I feel that the brides feel more comfortable around a lady photographer, especially during their makeup session.”

Having done more than 50 photo shoots (weddings, engagement, babies, and couples) for Simran it has been a crazy learning experience. “I've never gone big on envisioning setups or photos that I may want to create – it never, ever turns out even close to what I may have thought. I just go into the location and immediately see what I want to do and where and how I want to do it. I really don’t think there’s ever been a better time to be a wedding photographer– if you have talent and a unique style, you can get your work out to the world much faster than ever before,” she says.

Above all, I know that life for a photographer cannot be a matter of indifference. Opinion often consists of a kind of criticism. But criticism can come out of love. It is important to see what is invisible to others. – Robert Frank.

To view more of Simran's work, click here: Simran Jagdev Fotography.

#3: Tiny Steps. Tiny Love.

Born and brought up in the chaotic Dilli, I would like you to meet the typical Punjabi girl: Neha Malhotra. After completing her Post Graduation in Design, she started working with a company as a Graphic Designer. “Within 6 months I realized that working 9-5 was not cut out for me, and I wanted to do something of my own. After working as freelance photographer for a few years, I started with TinyLove Photography that specializes in on-location photo sessions for newborns, kids, families and expecting parents,” she exclaims. 

What started as a hobby (and a way to break away from the monotonous job routine), it has now turned into her living. When she started, she was flocked with inquiries for toddlers or family sessions; but very few were open to do maternity or newborn sessions. “People still believed in not taking pictures of expectant mothers or newborns, but gradually (and thankfully) all this is fading away. For the past 6-7 months, I have only been capturing the excitement of expectant mothers and the antics of the newborns. Honestly, the word-to-mouth publicity has really helped me in the growth of my business,” she beams.

After almost a year of starting the brand, TinyLove proudly boasts of more than 75 happy families who have availed Neha’s professional services and are her true supporters.

While in a photography business, taking pictures only constitutes to about 10% of the entire work, rest of the time Neha juggles between the roles of a client servicing executive, a designer, an editor, a social media executive, a sales person and a delivery boy. “It has been an amazing journey and am loving all the roles so far,” she shares.

“I love my job and I LOVE getting to know my clients. I take a lot of pride in focusing on giving all my clients not just great images, but a great experience as well,” she adds.

If you visit her Facebook Page you will see that her photography is fun, untraditional and totally unscripted. “I am all for making fun and breathtaking memories. I love capturing raw and unscripted moments because ten years from now, when my clients look back at their photographs, I want them to be emotionally captivated by them,” she elaborates.

With no regrets whatsoever, Neha has an ambition which she plans to achieve with compassion. And boy, we love her spirits!