5 hurdles I had to pass through to be a full time freelancer

I am not a person born with a silver spoon, well not exactly false as my family was always well to do, hardly remember a day when my dad denied to any of my needs unless it was totally impractical which was rare... thanks to my pre-matured brain. haha..!

I will not say I always had my bank account well stuffed but its was never in a bad shape either. So in short I had and having a pretty normal living.

The decision of being a freelancer was not easy for me, I abruptly left my job which was indeed neither paying me well nor doing me any good. I started my company back in 2014 under the name of SHOVONAKAR Visuals and things were never rosy. My family were helpless as they didn't belong to this industry and I just had no clue how to go about it and totally unclear about what is coming ahead.

Here are my 5 things I faced being a new bibe

LETTING PEOPLE KNOW I EXIST: When you come from a background which has no connection with your industry its indeed difficult to start, I was clueless about how to reach people and let them know I exist. I still carry the difficulty to connect to people. I at times remain way to honest which either scares or bore people away and I am totally happy to declare so, no one is perfect! The way I thought to let people know is to have an online presence and with no skills to build a website of my own I had a tumblr blog which acted as my portfolio which eventually came handy to an extent.

BUILDING MY WEBSITE: I must share I got fooled by many folks who promised me a website in just 1000 bucks and I learnt it a hard way that nothing comes that easy. As time passed and got some self earned bucks in my pocket I finally decided to build one on my own terms, I remember my very first website over adobe portfolio was the most silly presentation of my work but it was better than having nothing. I am presently using wix and it has given me enough flexibility to mould the way I wish.

CONNECTING AGENCIES: Well I am not a big shot that people will call me day and night giving me collaboration proposals. I finally decided to connect to people who indeed look for photographers. Art directors in this case. I do wanna share a point as I dreamed hard to reach my goal, the more people came into my life who helped me to reach there. Various platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn came handy.

The sad part is the industry is so saturated its indeed frustrating to break in, I took a hell lot of time to understand how things goes and I don't wanna rant but meeting any never came out to be fruitful, being a woman do added to my hurdle but I accepted the fate as it is.

MARKETING SKILLS: You see marketing in India is difficult, its complicated. Its a mere game of favoritism and how cheap the offer you place in front of your client. Value for money is not calculated much in terms of quality of work rather its quantity. Online and offline marketing is two sets one needs to master, its indeed a good idea to keep all the doors open. Offline is all about how good are you with people but keeping in mind the saturation existing its difficult to break ones bond to place yours. Online marketing is fairly a second vendor job but when you don't have enough fund then the who game is in your hand how you place yourself online. Social media is the key but playing it well is above all that matters.

NEGOTIATING AND BALANCING THE WORK PRESSURE: Not denying to the fact I didn't freakout on the no. of changes my initial clients game me. It was very demanding and confusing. You see getting into commercial industry is not long lasting as people get emotionally involved with their work and its important to let go as soon as possible. I learnt a very hard way to maintain a balance where I bring my client come to mutual terms. Mind games is a constant affair and living in peace is important.

SO here are my top five things I learnt the hard way about going about freelancing.. If you think I missed something and you wish to add.. feel free to comment below..

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Finally I am a freelance commercial food, people and product photographer and a cinemagraph artist based out of Mumbai India. Feel free to connect for any queries..

Thanks for reading..

See you tomorrow!

#freelance #freelancephotographer #productphotographer #foodphotographer #mumbaiblogger

5 kinds of people you should avoid

We live in an era where reaching out to people is easier than ever. People love being associated with big names and sadly many don't shy away flaunting about it even if the matter is half true.

When I just started my journey into photography I was very enthusiastic about meeting people, seeing few big names in the portfolio was quite impressive, as days and years passed by I started to filter this act of meeting based in various factors.

I may sound ranting but if your are a parent who wishes its child to get into any industry which sells dreams I guess you should read my article. Its gonna be scary, its gonna be discouraging but I am here to say the truth, completely #unfiltered Have you ever thought the amount of controversy and gossip which happens in our day to day life has anything worth to learn from? If you think hard you will see a pattern and it will help you to reach your goal faster.

So here are five kinds of people whom you should avoid in your professional life.

PEOPLE JUSTIFYING THEIR EXISTENCE PRETTY HARD: I have met many people who love to justify their standard based on the kind of association they have rather than the kind of work they have done. Taking names of various big goons in the industry is their passion and somehow they find it intimidating, well yes many new babes do take it in the similar passion as its the sole agenda, but worth to ponder why the person is so pressing about it. Taking few names to prove your worth is worth the say (I do state few of my clients to give the other person a basic understanding) but adding multiple in the entire conversation justifies how not so confident is the person. Such people are just looking for some kind of acceptance and letting such people into your life mold you in the similar fashion.

LACK OF SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE: Social media is not just a fancy world in the professional world, its indeed a proof if you really exist in the market or not and how updated you are with yourself. Sharing work on a constant basis justifies how active you are and where exactly you stand in reality. People shying away most probably don't have work. Running a firm with no social presence is a sole example of how out of work you are. Associating with people with passion looking for work is different but people who claim to be into the industry for a decade with no presence is an ultimate example of one fishing around.

PEOPLE WHO DEMEAN ELSE: Ranting is a part of who we are, a self massage to our ego, to our presence is needed from time to time but if the person is ranting about every experience better to avoid such people. They can't see things or they hardly self analyze. You really don't wish to join their club.

PEOPLE WHO PROCRASTINATE: OK.. I do too procrastinate but no to the level that you are stuck in the same position in the same firm for a decade both in terms of professional and personal life. I have came across many people who tend to avoid coming out of their comfort zone and then pondering on the topic of absence of change in life! Things don't happen when you just dream. Dreaming is a will, its a inner drive but indeed you have to do things in physical to achieve what you wish to. Live with people who loves to solve the toughest problems first, such act makes your life easier and you reach your goal faster. We really live in a fast paced life where even the 5th person commenting over a person's profile whom it looks up to desperately will get passed.

WHO ARE TOO ENGROSSED INTO THEIR OWN BELIEVES: We all have certain set of rules we tend to follow in our life. We have certain set of believes we practice. When the very act starts dominating to the extent that the person wants the other person to believe the same is a good sign to cut off. Such people are often delusional and avoid to put self in else's shoes. Don't expect them to come to their eye level. You know! iTs just irritating nothing else. Rather than living with the agitation and negative energy its best to part yourself away and make your own set of rules, open your mind see the world and observe.

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Hey, myself Shovona, a freelance commercial photographer based out of Mumbai, India. I primarily shoot product, people, portraits and food. I love sharing my freelance life tips and tricks over my Instagram account so do make sure to follow me there. Living a life of my own past 15 years have made me come across many and many have helped me to be what I am today and I am indeed thankful to all. Hope the above helps you too.

With best wishes..

Thanks for reading....

#freelancelife #freelancephotographer #mumbaiphotographer #productphotographer #foodphotographer #stylist