My interview by a leading UK based online magazine

ABOUT I have tried few other occupations until I realised Photography was my calling. Being a Hotel management graduate and further working in the software industry as a technical writer and then as a project manager, I started pursuing my photography hobby until I realised that Photography gave me the push and energy to get up and get going. I try to convey a story a message through my clicks. I believe that every picture is a piece of art. Capturing moments to cherish them later. I feel I have accomplished when my clients feel happy with my clicks and recommend my works. To me, it's more about capturing the moment's rather clicking pictures.

Our readers would love to get to know you more Nabarun. Tell us about yourself, what is unique about you?

My clients feel relaxed and comfortable when I click their pictures. They say, I'm honest towards my work, and I make it an experience rather just making them pose, click and complete the job. To me, photography is my passion more than a job. I love to present my models, clients, as a piece of art rather just a picture.

Nabarun, what are your passion and aspiration in life? How did you start as a Photographer?

I started from 2010 with my mobile camera. At that time my friends loved the clicks and wanted me to click their pictures. Selfie wasn't there yet. Eventually, I bought an entry level DSLR and started clicking. My job in the software industry as a technical writer helped me understand the science of Photography and all the camera settings. Time passed by and my clicks kept adding to my folder. Then, in 2017 I bought my second camera, a professional DSLR and did my first bridal shoot. Soon after that, I got an opportunity to do a fashion portfolio for a model. Now, I'm more excited to get more assignments. I was recommended by my model for a shoot for her friend... I'm sure my work and clients will grow. That's my gut feeling out of my dedication and honesty towards my passion.

We all make mistakes Nabarun; we wish we could take back. Please tell us about time being a Photographer; you wish you’d handled a situation differently with a colleague. If I had to, I'd prepare myself better for any situation and ensure that I set the expectations in advance. But, not everything can be black and white, there are bound to be some grey areas, and that makes life worth living another day. The camera too understands 18% grey. So, to get good sharp and correct white balance, we as professional photographers need to understand the grey areas first ☺

Nabarun , when you’re working with a large number of clients, it’s tricky to deliver excellent service to them all. As a Photographer, how do you go about prioritizing your clients’ needs?

I'll be honest here; I'm yet to be hired by a large number of clients. But, I'll give it a try. If I have such a situation, I'll first talk to the client and get the priority list from them. Once I have the priority defined by the client, I'll see how much and what I can do from the priority list to deliver the best results. If the client agrees then for the remaining, I'll appoint another photographer to do the work, but the responsibility of ensuring quality output will be mine. Or, I'll refuse the items that I can't do for the lack of time.

Please tell us Nabarun, about a time you had to be very strategic to meet all your top priorities as a Photographer?

When I got my first-order I didn't know how I would do it as I had my day job to continue. During my meeting with the client, I was thinking about requesting them to see if they could have the wedding on the weekend. Luckily I didn't have to and the wedding day was a weekend. But, the venue was about 5 hours travel by air. So, I booked my flight ticket, rented a professional lens and some camera gear, flew to the venue before time. Finished the shoot and took the next morning flight and was back to my day job.

Nabarun, please give us an example of a time when you were able to successfully persuade someone to see things your way at work. It was during the recent fashion portfolio shoot. I was a new Photographer, and the model had already done some shoots with other established Photographers. During one particular dress change requested her to tone down the lipstick as compared to the big round red bindi on her forehead. She was not very happy with that at first. But, I took a test shot and showed her the click she was very happy with the pic ...in another incident, I overexposed the shot by one stop. The model asked if the makeup was too bright, I said no, it was looking bright because I had overexposed the shot. Then she said the previous photographer had told her that her makeup was not good and hence the shot was looking washed out...after this two instances the model was comfortable with my photography and willingly agreed for any make-up changes I requested.

Nabarun, please tell us about your proudest professional accomplishment as a Photographer. There might be many, but there is always this proudest moment that you just want to share with everyone. What is it and why? While I was building up my portfolio, I was asking my friends to pose for my camera. They did. But, later on, they expected me to do it for free every time for their wedding anniversary, birthdays etc. And, when it came to a point when I suggested about getting paid for my work they hired another photographer. Now, after the fashion portfolio, they are getting back. Only that now I have a rate chart based on the payment I got from the fashion portfolio. It's more than what I had suggested at that time to my friends. So, it was my proudest moment to get a shout-out on the model on her Instagram handle and an interview invitation by Model Citizen Magazine.

Nabarun, please give us an example of a time you were able to be creative with your work. What was exciting or difficult about it? It wasn't very difficult. I had to shoot for a dope theme based on love. I looked around my house and found a small crystal that had a couple of laser engraved on the inside. I used my couch for the red background, used two emergency torches as lights, my mobile phone torch as the ambient light, and I clicked the pic. Next, I took a long exposure of serial lights in my bedroom and overlayed both images. Viola! My pic was ready for lightroom edits, and the caption was 'Love amidst chaos'... Similar was while I Clicked my Fossil watch. Then for Sula wine bottle and wine glass. I did the shoot with a rain umbrella and one speed light and thermal sheet as a reflector. Overall all the clicks were awesome.

What advice would you give to the people who want to be successful as a Photographer?

Do not cheat your passion. Learn the lights more than any post processing tool like Photoshop, etc.

Are you looking for collaboration with fashion talents, brands and creatives? If yes, please state below what type of collaboration you are looking for? The collaboration that I had in mind was...Our models, our stylists, our photographer. So, that our clients can focus on their expertise. Also, if the client wants to hire only a photographer, model, or stylists we would still be happy to serve. Photography is our first preference.

Photo Credits: Photographer: Nabarun Paul www.instagram.com/orangedreams.in www.orangedreams.in