Tutorial: Cloud 9

• Difficulty: Medium (Basic photoshop 2019 skill required)

• The application used: Photoshop 2019 and Pixaloop

• Time spent: 45 minutes

Visual art has no definite rule to follow and go by as it is very subjective. It entirely depends on person to person how it wishes to see the image and how to go about. After a lot of trial and error, I have come to mine and often I follow the path the reverse way. This very image Cloud 9 (just thought to steal the name) is composed of a landscape image I captured on my way to Goa, India and later added the moving elements in Pixaloop.

If you ask me what is Pixaloop? It is a fun application which let you give a moving or living element in your still photograph. This application comes with fun sky replacement themes, moving elements like clouds, animals to many more and few other gickmicks. The best part with the pro-version is it keeps updating itself with many more elements from time to time.

• Available for both Apple and Andriod users, pro-version against standard fees giving you lifetime access.

• The application doesn't give you rights to use it for professional/commercial purposes.

I have to admit being a commercial photographer I need to go through a lot and lots of work to seek inspiration and Pinterest, Instagram and google have been my best mentor so far. With thousands of talented people to follow and seek understanding from there is nothing much space left for a block to happen in mind yet it does from time to time. My way of going about has been traditional so far and I love re-enacting what others have done yet I keep a few elements true to myself. My advertising venture is not always straight forward and often I am asked to show what I can do and visualize more than the ordinary. Manipulation and surrealism do go by side and I love doing both.

So let's get started!

STEP 1: For the given tutorial I have used a panoramic landscape with a vast grassland and an open sky (merged in photoshop). I have edited the image in terms of colour correction, contrast and eventually thought to remove a few elements like clouds and a tree positioned at the right of the image. Just wanted to remove few distractions. I used a combination of spot healing, a clone stamp tool and content-aware in photoshop.

STEP 2: I found the sky little uneven in terms of the horizon, hence decided to even it out. Using the clone stamp tool with low opacity (10% is my personal preference) gives a smooth gradation. It helps to avoid any kind of patches.

It is indeed a simple concept, a plain canvas for the elements to stand out and give a dimension to the image. Again my composition is pretty straight forward and I love keeping things simple for the viewer to enjoy in most of my cases. I do love layering things and keeping certain conscious and subconscious elements which let people stare a little more and they eventually discover things one by one making it more engaging.

A fun aspect is always a good way to go about when doing surrealism. People love playing games and solving the mystery, it makes them look smart and people love being called smart.

• I edit an image at 16bit at 300dpi. The dimension of the given image is 7645 by 5285 pixels. This part is completely subjective to your end-users and where you are going to publish it. I primarily kept it for my personal website and Instagram. Pixaloop doesn't restrain you with dimension. I love this part of the application!

STEP 3: To fill the empty space of my extended composition, I selected a part of the sky and stretched it to the top. You can feel free to use a clone stamp tool to do the same.

COMPOSITION TIP: I wanted the moving element in the middle of the sky, for the cloud to have enough breathing space around. It is always a good idea to think about the final image you have in mind.

STEP 4: Coming to the fun part and where I start my surreal journey, using a wrapping tool in photoshop I decided to give a convex feel to the grassland, you can very well do the opposite. Just keep it wacky and fun.

STEP 5: Everyone loves filters and the vintage feel. Pixaloop though has a new feature to do the same but I am not exactly convinced as it makes the images pretty pixilated hence I love the manual control photoshop gives. Colour correction, Vibrance and the selective colour is a great tool to add a feel to the image.

I have shared my calculations and feel free to copy it or tweak it as per your need. There is no rule to follow the above in the given direction, it's quite a lot of permutation and combination and it entirely depends what you think looks good, add value and mood to the image.

COMPOSITION TIP: A warm tone like yellow, orange and red is always about happiness and cool tones like blue and grey give a gloomy feeling.

I give a bit of sharpening and export my image suited for web and keep it within a range of 2500 pixels wide or 3mb in file size max, for the mobile processor to work over it without hanging on. Avoid uploading a heavy file to prevent the application from crashing.

STEP 6: As the application is mobile-based you need to transfer the image to your mobile, I own a Pixel2 and I upload my images in Photos (cloud storage). Post that I opened the image in Pixaloop. To start with I go to the sky menu of the app and for the given image I decided to use Dancing Aurora with Horizon: 77 and Opacity: 100. Feel free to tweak as per the image. A smooth transition is all that you should look for.

STEP 7: I just love fooling around with the application. Jokes apart, I knew it has a new element of clouds and it fitted perfectly to my landscape. I always have this love for animals especially the not so usual for many and thought to use a frog for it to be lost in the grassland under the sky with majestic aurora and stars. Placed the frog as per a suitable perspective yet easy to notice. I added the cloud at the centre and made it large enough to dominate the image. To add a little of drama I added some lightning. The steps are pretty much after a lot of combinations from the available list. You should feel free to create your own version. The elements have options like dimension and opacity. Play until you like to your liking.

STEP 8: Gadgets have their own colour profile and it depends on the brand of your phone hence you may find the colour a little off, what you saw on your computer screen. I was happy with the composition, yet found the image a little off in terms of colour gradation. Corrected the needed in the application. See image for calculations.

STEP 9: The application gives enough flexibility regarding the export option and I prefer keeping it at the highest resolution possible for any future needs and record. You can choose to tweak it as per your need. I personally love keeping the dimension intact, Duration around 18 seconds and quality 2k.

Woah! You have it done it so far fantastically and I hope you enjoyed the process. I loved creating this image and sharing the journey with you. There is nothing more that gives me contentment than creating something fresh and learning something new.

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Hii, I am Shovona Karmakar, a freelance commercial photographer, presently based out of Mumbai, India. As an artist, freelancer, and businesswoman, money, and creativity always intrigue me and I am passionate enough to share my knowledge with others too.

To note: My tutorials are mine from my own experience.

I am open for any portrait, corporate, food, product | people photography related queries/services, or just drop a hi! at

shovonakar@gmail.com

#coronaindia #mumbaiphotographer #femalephotographer #portraitphotographer #commercialphotographer #freelancecommercialphotographer #tutorial #pixaloop #cinemagraph #movingimages

Freelance

The word freelance according to google "A Basic Definition. Essentially, a freelance job is one where a person works for themselves, rather than for a company. While freelancers do take on contract work for companies and organizations, they are ultimately self-employed"

Freelancing is a lifestyle, is a life choice that you have as a side hustle or a full-time job. Everything you do is building up for yourself hence it is a selfish act yet it has many benefits.

I have mentioned various articles over my blog regarding freelancing, how to go about it, and what to expect. As a freelancer, I see the world, the people around me a little more critically than many seeking a job may think and see. My life is nothing to do with security and I have to have the social contentment in me every day with a mere line of

Things happens for good!

Everyone has its own journey to be one and it is worth reading and observe everyone possible and learn the things we can as down the line the situations are not newborn yet it recycles from one person to another.

Photography and product styling remain my primary source of income and rest is on the way to an exploration of finding the target audience who will like to hire me and help me pay my bills. Here I do not exactly wish to talk about freelancing and how to go about it rather there are many things I learned a little faster than else.

An adult and growing up to be an adult is a choice and I chose to be a child who is curious as long as possible. I have realized how being an adult is a trap and how being a child leads to a better world. A child, in general, doesn't look for perfection and adapts anyone unless it hurts. A child is more venerable and open to get molded and re-shaped. A child leads to discovery very new to itself.

Then why are we asked to grow up and how well it is important?

There is a difference between growing up and being a child and they are pretty broad lined.

As a grown-up, we are expected to understand things and be careful with our words. We are expected to earn and be compassionate and less venerable to being emotional and anxious. We are more aware of the rights and less aware of the very subconscious mind. Having the content attitude is a sign of being an adult for many and we choose to be choosy with the kind of people we should be with and shape our lives. We find being sad and low as a sign of being weak and less worthy to be with and successful people to be the ones you should look up to.

We complicate ourselves more than ever. We behave as a complicated being yet calling self the simplest and minimalistic of all just because we are not ambitious and we don't let our mind wander madly.

You have to understand if things are crazy in your head and you see it exist then it was always a part of being a human.

A child, on the contrary, is new to the world and everyday it tends to evolve, biologically it goes through a cycle of being a human, being a specie which is advanced and more mobile than anyone else. It discovers everything cause it is new to it, every word it says and everything it sees is new to it and the cycle will continue unless it is forced to be a grownup.

Very recently I have been rejected by someone I potentially saw as one worth to be a partner. I was exploring you see and my past has not been kind enough to me and it floats upon the surface the moment I find someone finally understanding me and giving me time to let them know the best part of me being me but it seems it was too late. The person was looking for a quick fix and he moved on and I eventually kept thinking that he will be back.

I let myself be venerable and I am thankful for it coz I wouldn't have been productive the way I am now just to overcome the feeling of being abandoned all over again. As a child, I rant, I take chances and I let people come into my life and I rest my trust in them easily. I let myself mold the way one wants me to and on the way, I discover the best of me.

Now with everything possible said what is the connection of everything above with being a freelancer, and the answer is simple it all depends on you and just you how you shape your freelancing career. There is the right way to be content and do things that work and keep life as safe as possible. There is another right way to let your child be alive to discover every possibility to raise your bar and aspect of your skill and talent. Be complicated, be difficult, be moody and keep ranting about things but at the end make sure you discover for better tomorrow.

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Hii, I am Shovona, a freelance commercial photographer who resides in the economic hub of India, Mumbai. As an artist, freelancer, and businesswoman, money, and creativity always intrigue me and I am passionate enough to share my knowledge with others too.

Feel free to contact me for any portrait, corporate, food, product photography related queries, or just drop a hi! at

shovonakar@gmail.com

#coronaindia #mumbaiphotographer #femalephotographer #portraitphotographer #commercialphotographer #freelancecommercialphotographer

My worst driving skill

If I say every assignment of mine as been as smooth as a butter on bread, I am clearly lying to you all. If I say every client treated me professionally I am not honest. If I say I didn't learn and grow from the experiences I am definitely bluffing. As a freelancer in the early days of my career, I did the mistakes which come from an anxious mind, untrained attitude and the inability to trust people.

To inject it is still a little difficult to trust people but I have no choice than to calm the f**k down myself and let the flow take it along its pace.

I am here to share a few things which I did in my early days and I am sure many out there did the same and in fact, must be in the phase currently. There is no right or wrong way to go about freelancing and but there are few things I feel are basic and I wished someone would have helped me understand things better.

Communication:

Early days comes with an ego and an urge to specialize over things and one goes downhill from there, every time a client calls and if it doesn't fall your genre if you tend to say "No", you are potentially losing an opportunity to have something for yourself. Just because you feel you are good at something it doesn't mean you have to restrict yourself to that arena. Say yes to every opportunity and find a way to make it happen and when to say No, read along to know about it.

Be curious to know what the client is looking for and be humble to hear what they want from you and be patient to do things again and again.

The entire urge to bombard and get the best and do the best comes along the time so let yourself be in a learning curve as long as possible.

TRUST:

The urge to jump into a project and not keeping things over mail and often clients feel skeptical to keep it over mail led many to feel anxious about many things and up above remained the fact if they will pay one on time as per the telephonic conversation. The anxiety grows and the urge to ask for money is embarrassing, it is if one ask at the wrong time.

Many even do a mistake of not keeping the terms clear and let the client have a zone where they ask for more than agreed and with no written confirmation one gets handcuffed to do the job, that's the con of being early in the career.

Keep the information and terms and conditions as much as possible over the mail, an absence of response keeps the client in question, not you.

ANXIETY:

The overwhelming feeling of many things does rupture a lot many elements than you can imagine. Your subconscious mind has things to say and you are bound to hear to it and believe it than anyone else and there is absolutely no harm. One thing to learn along the way is anxiety is just going to degrade your image for future prospect so practice the art of being calm. F**k the calm out of yourself!

Instilling the art of meditating and building focus in your day to day work is the best thing you can gift to yourself.

CHAOS:

Creativity takes birth in chaos, a chaotic mind wanders enough to let you see things which others don't see and this is something you should not get rid of but learn to cage it enough for it to not overwhelm you when you don't want or need. Early days look like everything needs to be perfect and perfection is an enemy not a cure and frankly let the chaos be there in you in some way which helps you to bring the best out of you.

There is a clear difference between chaos and panic, the feeling of everything going out of hand to do happen in the early days but there is no cure than to breathe in and breath out and simply take things slow.

Potential Red Flags:

• When the client doesnt agree to come over mail. They tend to keep everything over a telephonic conversation.

• There is no clarity about the job description in terms of quality and quantity expectations and keeping the assignment as an open experiment.

• Raising questions to every terms and condition you have kept to work along.

• Asking too many options for one potential assignment on the job floor.

• A habit of bargaining for everything even after confirmation.

One of my personal experience dates back to 2014 and one of my initial commercial assignment where the client bargained and came to a mutual price, argued my choice of having my assistant and then later agreeing to it, Eventually flying me down and I was little taken aback with the fact of doing more than asked for and hanging me with my advance untill and unless I had to shamelessly ask for it in the middle of the work floor (don't do it). My chaotic mind led me to miss a piece of equipment back in the hotel which pushed the shoot time and I was guilty enough. I realized they pushed the agreement on the day one and I dropped a mail to state my position to do a certain aspect of the job and not been able to do other (always keep things over mail). Well eventually things went well and I ended up doing the job at my best.

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Hii, I am shovona, a freelance commercial photographer who resides in the economic hub of India, Mumbai. As an artist, I undergo the above almost every day and I am here to support others to let them feel cool about anything happening in life.

Feel free to contact me for any portrait, corporate, food, product photography related queries or just drop a hi! at

shovonakar@gmail.com

#dailyblogger #mumbaiphotographer #freelancetipsandtricks #portraitphotographer #freelancer

I almost committed suicide.

There is no death with no disease. Wow! I just made it up... But why to score your death if it is coming anyway?

There are few things as a freelancer we tend to practice for the death of our own career and there are ways to avoid it. There is something we have to deal with no prior experience is to deal with new people and understand human behavior and gauge the best possible among the many. Every day I get calls from an average of 5 people looking for my services and there are days when none of them turns into anything potential client and it is totally fine. What is not fine is to lose a potential opportunity. Very recently the Indian economy was effected post its overnight decision of demonetization in 2017 and it took a year for many freelancers including myself to recover. As I looked back I saw a few things I took as a final call for my better tomorrow and I am here to share the secret with you.

Creating art may not seem very relatable to you with being commercial but they both are intertwined except the kind of attitude you carry. Either you change yourself or hire, it is totally up to you.

When I looked back into the years when I just started my career being a freelancer in 2014, I was approached by people looking for talent at a cheap price, well I cribbed for the lack of budget clients carry but self-authentication to be a professional worth the bucks was not well signed by many and then I took up the job at the price they offered me, I still thank myself I did coz every experience matter and you tend to start somewhere in your career. The big bang theory exists but it's not all in one indeed it is an amalgamation of many. I ended up with a beautiful portfolio carrying various portraits and products which lead me to get my very first international client The Morningstar based out of Chicago, USA.

It is not important to earn the highest in every project, gaining credibility is indeed a currency one needs to earn and invest in itself for better opportunities tomorrow

The biggest problem is to understand and dissolve it in our mind is everything comes gradually, I have been rejected by many talent agencies for not fitting into the bill they are looking for and many agreed to make me a part for a sum I am still not able to afford it.

I do say No! to too many of my clients for the amount they offer against various factors of lack of enough to feed my assistant's effort to the inability to hire the equipment I require and more. I have negotiated enough to gauge the best they have to shed for the project. I have come to terms finally where I have made a style of myself the way I wish to work for better outcomes cause now I have things at stake.

Nature is the best example to relate to if and when we seek answers to all the worries and queries and doubts we have in and out. Evolution as a word is going to stick to you for the rest of your life and I have evolved enough to come to terms with the way I wish to work. It is been 6 years where I have done everything possible at my best to understand the circumstances I work the best and I work from my heart to give the best I can and I have committed to my clients. They come to me post seeing what I have done so far and where I have been me at the optimum as a photographer and professional artist.

I have a crew which helps me to work at ease, I have a production assistant which figures the things which I am not supposed to and I have a co-mate which brings the best out of my images, my stakes are high, my work experience has expanded, I believe in customer experience and indeed the productivity one is approaching me for. If one can't bear the minimum of what I need I can't take the risk to give an outcome I can't commit to.

I highly encourage everyone to take a risk and do things that are beyound your comfort zone and I myself practice it in every way possible. I have shot 1000s of images in a day to just 10 in a day and it took a while to understand what I do best and how I do best in what circumstances.

For anyone having a work style and aesthetic style is two different aspects relatable to each other and it takes years of being under pressure to be a diamond to define your worth.

Once you know and feel you have taken enough, step up and stick to your working style.

As an artist, we have a mind with thousands of things wandering around in and out and we either go speechless, talk endlessly or talk our heart out and as a professional, we need to train ourselves. Train not to stop wondering but to calculate the way we let other people know what we think and how we think and what we have to offer. Early in my career, I tended to crib a lot and talk endlessly and I still do in and over meetings with clients and people in general and I regret the big time when I self realize, over the years I have been open to criticism and words people around me looking out for best for me, have told me to follow and It has helped me a lot eventually but the child within does error from time to time and I have stopped taking control over it.

Stop talking before they stop listening to you

is a mantra I came across a book (The art of creative thinking) and I found it very amusing. I have been invited to many local and national conferences and they invited me to talk and talk the heart out, well I have had to brief it up as much as possible due to the same mantra above. When it comes to the meeting I tend to practice listening more and talk the least and it has worked the best for me. Listening holds more capacity to engage with our audience than talking to them and many called it a scientific way of human dominance in a way they tend to depend on you.

The very exchange of words turning into a potential transaction is a study every freelancer needs to do and evolve accordingly.

The death of a freelancer comes with the haste, jealousy, anxious mind and ever over the top self affiliation attitude. As a freelancer one needs to lead itself along the lines of evolution everyone goes through and has gone through and will go through. The attitude of settling down too soon in your career makes you stagnant. Fear of working out of the comfort zone doesn't bring anything new out of you. The hunger doesn't need a la carte to raise the symphony rather simplicity has given birth to many la carte.

I have seen many photographers going off the track due to the lack of passion and vision and exposure of what good work is.

The eye, the ear, the nose, the tongue every sense needs to get trained and needs to get fooled more than getting the right answers. Aspiration and inspiration are at the tip of your hand, how you practice are what makes you who you are.

I hold and no hold any guarantee for a miracle to happen in your life and yet the insurance is in your efforts and attitude you behold. We and I can learn from what others have for us to give away.

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Hii, I am Shovona, a freelance commercial photographer who resides in the economic hub of India, Mumbai. As an artist, freelancer and a businesswoman, money, and creativity always intrigue me and I am passionate enough to share my knowledge with others too.

Feel free to contact me for any portrait, corporate, food, product photography related queries or just drop a hi! at

shovonakar@gmail.com

#coronaindia #mumbaiphotographer #femalephotographer #portraitphotographer #commercialphotographer #freelancecommercialphotographer

The magic of 600 seconds

We just need 10 minutes to have a mindblowing start for the day especially if you are working from home. 10mins is nothing very scientific but a personally tested regime that works wonders for many. The restriction lets you get over with something and keeping your attention span intact. We, humans, are evolving with a degrading quality of commitment and attention span. We flip from one job to the other and we similarly flip from one relationship to the other.

However, the options will expand and we will be mutated enough to not to stick to something sincerely, this 10min practice is a way to go if you don't know to understand the side effects of your monkey mind.

I am not giving away any magic tips and tricks, neither I am slipping anything extraordinary but basics stick longer than you think and basics are what makes you look cool and basics are what we crave for at the end of the day. I have the top 5 basic 600 seconds exercise good enough to change the way we live and to initiate our mornings.

IT STARTS FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE: A good morning is always been a pre-marinated dish, you need to put aside and get done with many things a night before you start your day after. Sorting what you want to wear and preparing your bag is one of them, have you thought of flushing and getting nice dental hygiene done, we all in-fact a majority of people suffer from dental hygiene. Your mouth is a factory of many bacteria pulping inside you as you sleep, killing them not only gives you a feel-good factor to go but no insecurity kissing your better half a goodnight and as well as a good morning.

There is this trick which does works for late awakers, brushing and flushing your mouth prior a goodnight let you be awake a little early. I don't know how it works but it works amazingly well, especially for someone like me who loves to sleep.

Sorting the list of things needs to be done is also much practiced, it is indeed optional as many feel good about planning the day about as the first thing in the morning and both works.

For those who live alone or have someone to take care of, pre-preparing a meal or at least keeping them arranged and set to go saves time. All this you can't do in 10 minutes but break it up.

MAKE YOUR BED FOR TONIGHT: We are up, we grab our phones and we get distracted. We bump on our own plans and we bang many to set the day. 10 minutes is a good analogy to do something and achieve one job at a time, the feeling of fulfillment from various jobs done make the day worth it, setting your bed for the day is one way to go and don't forget to change your sheet once a week.

The bed is a heaven where we dream, we share, we cry, we laugh, we stare and we ponder over things and things we want and we don't want. We love the fact of sleeping and it is always in our hands to set the tone of how we do it.

I have met many minimalistic who love a fresh set of white sheets and it is totally fine as nothing much to ponder about, I have even loved one who loves to use the bed as its canvas with as many pillows as possible and throwing some lovely set of textured sheets and comforters hurts no one. There are many ways to set the dream you like it, just make sure it is something you desire from within as it shapes the dreams you dream.

GET INTO YOUR OWN SKIN: Let's creep out, getting into your own skin is anytime better than someone getting into your skin. Ancient Vedas, I don't know if it says or not but stepping into the arena of meditation has helped me a lot and guided meditation is for anyone who has a monkey mind like myself, I admit it! My mind has always struggled to struggle with my ever nonstop thoughts, and it has given me anxiety like never before. Antidepressants do take care of the lack of many things in my brain and I am somewhere dependent on it, if you are looking for a place to begin from HEADSPACE is a good way to go from its 3 min session to 10, 15 and 20 is a place from my personal experience to start your journey into meditation. The best part you just need your phone and pair of headphones (I use a noise cancellation JBL headset) or speaker incase your phone has low-intensity in case of volume.

Try it! It has helped me to put myself to sleep better and have a better temperament towards life and others unless they talk crap.

BE MEAN TO CLEAN: 10 mins may not be sufficient to have a deep cleaning session and we are talking here about those small tasks which give you the feel-good factor, arranging your desk or your work station is a way to start doesn't matter if your work from home or an office, an altar next to my work table has helped to groom my mind, few things you can consider keeping next to you while working which can help to lift your mood.

1. A bowl of almonds: gives you no excuse to boost your mind and soul with some goodness.

2. Picture of your loved ones: Always makes you feel connected and belong to someone.

3. A nice candle: I personally love one from Song of India and oh man its heaven (be careful where you keep it)

4. A pen and a notepad: With everything to note down in your phone, little good old school tricks go a long way. Writing once is like reading something for 26 times.

DON'T MISS THAT CALL: I am living all alone past 15 years and eventually stopped having any homesickness but the attachment, I have with my parents is inseparable however and how many fights I have with them. We all love to go and fly in our own sky and leaving them behind to deal with their own anxiety and loneliness. Past many years I have realized the effort to be in touch with them and make them feel being with me has helped me count my blessings. 10min is all you need to give a call and be dedicated to it. Don't do anything while you call someone who means a lot to you. I can't put enough stress how much a call can build your relationship

the list may go on but I guess these things will not take much from you, teaching basics of life is a privilege and we are somewhere getting detached.

I hope this article may help you to connect yourself back to you and your roots.

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Hii, I am shovona, a freelance commercial photographer who resides in the economic hub of India, Mumbai. As an artist, I undergo the above almost every day and I am here to support others to let them feel cool about anything happening in life.

Feel free to contact me for any portrait, corporate, food, product photography related queries or just drop a hi! at

shovonakar@gmail.com

#commercialphotographer #femalephotographer #mumbaiphotographer #portraitphotography

Pandemic and freelancing

Anyone who will be reading this article, to let you know I am writing it during the phase of 21days of complete lockdown in India. Corona has crippled the world and forced us to think about what are we leaving behind us.

As a freelancer it scares the hell out of me about my coming days and my survival skills will be tested, being the best is not the question, it is all about how you perceive it. Yes, the days will be brought to normal but the real question is, will we see ourselves and our world around us in the same way? Awakening of the desires we have and our needs will be questioned and I am pretty sure everyone will not be affected and it will be easy for them to get back to the time they were there.

As a freelancer our survival is based on many factors and a good economy will push to keep us hanging on with our passion. Sadly it is no more about individual dreams, many who acquire jobs will be in a spot to lose, their livelihood will be affected and a chain reaction will be the next pandemic to take care of. Yes! I may be thinking the worst of worst but let us prepare ourselves for it.

Hang on! I am not writing this article to scare you, in fact, let us see how to go about it.

TO NOTE: I don't know how the coming days will be and how it is going to hit the economy and how much time it will take, for us all to raise the bar again, but let us be hopeful.

PRODUCE FRESH CONTENT: If you are a photographer, retoucher, CGI artist, illustrator, cinematographer and more, it is a good phase to produce fresh content to add it to your portfolio, keeping self productive is the best way to go about the times we are going. To add, with no pressure from any client and with no external expectation create the best you can. We all crib about the fact of not having enough time to create what we wished to and I don't think anyone has any excuse to give now with clients potentially understanding the situation, I am pretty sure they will not kill you to create for yourself. If they do, they are not worthy to be a potential client.

ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE and ORGANIZE: The biggest culprit for many who work from home is the messy situation we live in (I, myself included) and however you deny and you say it does add to your millennial saga, a messy place does no good. A clean desk and a clean space both physically and digitally uplift your productivity.

HAVE HOBBIES: Side hustles or interest will never be more important than the coming times, let's be honest, past recession and demonetization in India had hit the market bad for it to come back to a well to do state after 2 years and the current situation with thousands of people passing away in the most merciless manner and many, I mean MANY are off their jobs will disturb the economy for people to shed enough for marketing purposes keeping their employees as the prime importance and it is indeed fair enough. Incase global pandemic hits bad be ready to earn the same with many more hustles you need to take care of.

LEARN SELF MARKETING: It is one art which many fail to do and many find it way too less important to invest ourselves every day, marketing is how we find products for our needs, simultaneously marketing is the way potential client will get to know us. How you wish to market self is a discovery which you need to do and will get to know eventually as time passes and observe how our viewers react to it.

Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Google business page are a few platforms that let us shine the way we wish to.

• You should understand the algorithm ethics each platform is made off and how to use it to your benefit

• Instagram and Facebook are very much to do with timing, tagging, hashtagging and quality of content.

• Keep the quality of content as organic, high quality and as handmade as possible, think about the user or audience you wish to cater to.

• Keep your content short and brief especially stories.

• Always have something to give away to your audience.

• Use sites like Creator Studio to schedule posts (stories cant be scheduled) in case you are busy enough to give needed time to it on a daily basis. Youtube videos can be scheduled too.

• Let people peep into your studio, people are more curious about behind the scenes than the final product, grab your phone shoot it here and there and edit it to make a 15 to a 30-second video. (I just sounded like a hypocrite, lol, I need to share my side too)

• Keep your agenda clear, don't post not so needed content which is not related to your persona or page. No one wants to know what you eat on everyday basis unless you are a health influencer.

SUPPORT LOCAL VENDORS AND INDUSTRY: We Indians are obsessed with anything fancy and foreign return. In the scene of global crisis, it should be our prime goal to support local industries and vendors to get them back on track, they have and will be a part of the national economic backbone, the vendors in return need to raise their output quality. International transaction does add value and gives direct competition to the indie which will put the national economy far more in debt in the future.

I strongly suggest, if your situation is somewhere accompanied with deep pockets don't break your savings, I am no master in economics and all the above is based on my personal experience, we all wish to recover from the present state ASAP but let's be hopeful and let us prepare ourself for the worst in-case!

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Hii, I am Shovona, a freelance commercial photographer who resides in the economic hub of India, Mumbai. As an artist, freelancer and a businesswoman, money, and creativity always intrigue me and I am passionate enough to share my knowledge with others too.

Feel free to contact me for any portrait, corporate, food, product photography related queries or just drop a hi! at

shovonakar@gmail.com

#coronaindia #mumbaiphotographer #femalephotographer #portraitphotographer #commercialphotographer #freelancecommercialphotographer

Freelancing basics 101

There is a familiar say "slow and steady wins the race", well that's what my father kept telling me and though he never had any business of his own, he did deal with many to understand the basics. It is been 10 years and I guess I have done enough mistakes and took enough chances to be good enough to share what I have learned with you.

My childhood dream was not to be a creative artist rather I wished to join the national defense. I am born outspoken and situations down the line have made me a rebel. I at times feel I am floating in an ocean and the water is taking me places without my wishes and yet make me hit the right rock to keep the passion alive. Ok! no more emo talks and let's get straight to the point and I am pretty sure you all are eager to understand how to be better at freelancing. I before share the 101 steps let me clarify every freelancer has its own journey, conscious and subconscious, all the below are from my due personal experience. You are free to stop here or feel free to read ahead and I hope you get a few pointers good enough to incorporate.

You don't earn in the initial years

The reality of earning a handsome amount against a day or few days job is not something you will see in the initial years, it took me 5 years to be well aware enough among producers and clients who considered me for the job. When I started back in 2014, I was more concerned about brands I can work for and quoted enough to cover my rent and a few basic needs. Quality variation in the portfolio was my main intention. Survival remained a question for long.

As time passed and I came across people who helped me to grab better clients with quality budgets. Every industry runs around many people who have their own specific specialization, one needs to reach out to have a team in mind to be capable of a bigger assignment.

Getting personal with work

It is in human nature to be very personally attached to its craft and skill and it becomes the whole of you. I have personally taken so many work rejections and made myself enough crazy. It took me years to understand that there are many other factors untold than our work befitting the job. Anger, having various highs and lows and getting desperate is something you are going to go through and how you deal with it will matter a lot. I have made sure to turn up with one image a day and sharing it over media platforms to be seen many who may or may not consider me for a job. Passive presence makes a lot of sense.

Human behavior

If you think understanding your better half in a relationship has taught you everything about how one behaves and why one behaves then you have not yet started with the basics. I have learned so much how people react and how they react as against when dating a person.

Negotiation is a skill you learn along the way or hire someone good enough to do so on your behalf but let's be practical, how many can hire someone and how practical it is to have one. Negotiation has not to be done with every possibility, you need to learn and understand when to negotiate and when to be under the clause of "Non-negotiable" how much to cut down and when to step your foot down. I encourage people to observe how local businesses negotiate and learn to understand the terms they put it down.

Financial dependency

I have read enough, seen enough and been myself one of them who do depend on folks for survival. I reside in Mumbai in a not so pocket-friendly corner, and I do go little out of cash from time to time. I don't have much to say about it except it is ok, do justice to the money and cut down your expenses where ever possible. We Millenials need to understand the concept of saving and the sooner you get into the better are chances you handling any crisis with ease.

An unstable social life

There is nothing more dangerous than being lonely on the path of becoming a freelancer. It so happens the best of the people who made big in life are often lonely. We humans and we tend to live in a tribe, as a communal animal we need to have a basic human interaction on day to day basis. Sadly there is a truth many are able to handle it well and many tend to sink into depression. As we grow people get their priority sorted and tend to live in their own world. Having a schedule is important above everything and I can't stress enough to the fact you will be your own friend down the line.

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Hii, I am shovona, a freelance commercial photographer who resides in the economic hub of India, Mumbai. As an artist, I undergo the above almost every day and I am here to support others to let them feel cool about anything happening in life.

Feel free to contact me for any portrait, corporate, food, product photography related queries or just drop a hi! at

shovonakar@gmail.com

#freelancecommercialphotographer #mumbaiphotographer #womanphotographer #product

#food #portrait #advertisingphotographer

How to be better at instagram

We all love being loved and love being known and acknowledged, the human attitude of being in good books of others is a need, healthy though we mark it as insecurity. How true it is a matter of how you approach. The explosion of the internet and the beginning of a new era called social media may keep our parents a little way off and help them to stick to old traditional ways of being in a family and extend when needed. We the millennials sadly are losing the track of being behind the line. Yes, we are way more connected to people than ever before and it's way too easy for many companies to understand you as a person before you going to give an interview and getting recruited. I guess you don't believe me? It is indeed a fact of today's world that the company you wish to work for may have scanned your social presence and the way you interact with your audience at a personal and public level way before you even submitted an application to get accepted. Many of my clients may not judge my skill based on my social followers and presence but they do love to know more than the work factor.

Now coming back to the question of how well-skilled are we to have a well mannered social life on a social media platform? You may either just made a profile to be on the path of the upcoming influencer or someone who is just there to know the world more than the mere four walls of your usual office or studio. There are a few things which I have observed which many other blogs will guide you to do to brings one's attention (the one you admire) or connect someone for any collaboration related activity. They tend to miss the pointers one should follow to keep the sanity alive. Let me be very honest, texting is worst way to put your thoughts in place mainly in social media platforms, you miss your tone, you use too many words, you do sound pushy and needy though your agenda was to be humble enough unless you are some copywriter whose profession revolves around curated bunch of words provoking one to raise the tone in its mind. Huh..! we all can't be yet it is important to understand what to do and where to stop to lead to any misunderstanding.

Lately, Instagram, post been taken over by Facebook has made it algorithm quite challenging for many new users to gain traffic and paid promotion does involve money but it is not meant for everyone to put it from its one pocket. Well, organic marketing follows the old school method which many find taxing. My friends and else I have heard many tactics people tend to follow to gain attention or followers but they often forget what not to do. The worst thing you will like to do to yourself is getting yourself in the "avoid/block/report" book of others.

FOLLOW FOR FOLLOW

Many articles have suggested the act of following an account and in return, they may follow you back and when they don't, one ends up unfollowing. The scratch my back policy is annoying and random followers are not going to lead your agenda anywhere, people are smart and smart ones are patient and they are very particular about whom they follow and by whom they wish to get followed.

Design a well-thought profile providing something back to your viewers, that is good enough for the trespasser to "Follow" you!

DIRECT MESSAGE

Instagram is a great platform to connect to people and the option to connect someone on a personal level gives leverage to share your thoughts and opportunities. Sadly many tend to misuse it. The sheer interest to gain the "special" attention and making random conversation may sound a great move to have a conversation and I don't deny many do like it, but I am targeting people who are running a business/blog over the platform. Be respectful to people, be honest about your reasons to connect. A lure statement about one's personal life and the very act of getting too personal without even knowing the person is not cool.

GETTING INTRUSIVE

We need to understand every person has a right to privacy, and one has to respect it even if you do not like it. Instagram has evolved in the past many years sadly people have gone reverse. It is a platform where people love sharing life, emotion, ideas in a visual format and they may not be here to make friends. I have seen much where people love to get too intrusive to understand me more than what I have to offer. Sadly they go sexual, sexist, communist, yes people do so!

Understand your line which you are not supposed to cross.

There has been a drastic fall of ethics where people forget when to not to cross the very line. Social media might have brought us closer but we are losing the concept of mutual understanding and respect. Freedom of speech is now a social abuse and bullying. We are now more prone to venerability, my real concern is how we are shaping the coming generation, I find it really scary and I will be honest, social media is, in reality, might give you a company strong enough to make you feel self-satisfied and entertained, sadly it is making us more lonely than ever.

We, humans, are not meant to be alone, as a social and communal animal that we are and however we say we like our "Me time" we grow with others, we evolve with others.

Hii, I am shovona, a freelance commercial photographer who resides in the economic hub of India, Mumbai. As an artist, I undergo the above almost every day and I am here to support others to let them feel cool about anything happening in life.

Feel free to contact me for any portrait, corporate, food, product photography related queries or just drop a hi! at

shovonakar@gmail.com

#freelancephotographer #mumbaiphotographer #portrait #femalephotographer

Photography is not going to live long

Stating the above that photography is not a futuristic profession for many who are thinking to get into will do make you upset about reality. One needs to understand why I am saying so and there is a way to go about it even if you feel strongly about it, the fact is traditional photography is for those who wish to feed their soul, in case you are planning to feed your bank you have to work and think a little more different. I have written about it in the past and I feel strongly about it and I wonder often hence here is the other piece I wish to share.

In the past 10 years of being into photography, I have seen drastic changes from an application like photoshop restricted to computers to many you can access in your phone and i-pad making working station mobile. Yes, Google has restricted downloading those images for free but there are many stock photo websites that are quite pocket-friendly and give rights for commercial use in case your work is liked by some and wishes to buy it from you. There has been a drastic change from mere white balance to crazy color toning. A change in the shift from beautiful pictures to hyper-realistic surrealism and abstract is also well admired now. It is more about the concept than just the picture.

That now brings me to the agenda of the article. The present era is more about current social issues and how effective your work is to evoke emotions and bring change in the people and society. It is not tough but indeed forces one to be more sensitive and observant about it and around.

I have personally seen a change in the quality of retouching from buttery smooth to quality texture. I have seen a change in commercial concepts from selling it to the fair and lovely to the color.

These changes may sound minor but the artistic approach in the commercial world is undergoing a healthy yet very competitive change.

If you ask me what one should do to survive is very simple, think, observe and come with a fresh perspective about present situations around which are good enough to bring some impact.

As a visual designer, I have even felt a need to go to a formal institution but I will be honest I have learned most of my lessons in the practical, dealing with people is something no institution can teach you but technicality is all now available online in various subscription platforms. If I have to guide people who don't have money to go abroad and wish to learn, I can't stress enough on online education. Various amazing professionals are sharing their knowledge at the ease of your time and space. The era we are living in is the best mankind can see.

I am not sure how the future of visual designing is gonna take shape and different professionals are going to have a subjective perspective which is indeed fair enough. I being a commercial photographer and product stylist, my dual specialization has helped me to grab many assignments which have also led me to showcase what I have to offer. I am very much interested in film making and I so wish to combine all I have and share a fresh perspective to my clients and followers in the future. I don't shy away if I need to combine 3D artwork with photography if my project needs so, my present agenda is to prevent self from stagnation and let my creative juices flow and think more vivid than possible. As per the marketing strategy and building a brand for self it is going as complex and confusing as it was before, social media platforms will come and go and many will suit certain group of professionals and certain will not be exactly your cup of tea. The marketing strategy will be an ever-evolving and experiment topic for you. Certain aspects like sharing your work and letting people know your workflow will not gonna be old school for sure. Being there every day and let people know you exist is basics and it is going to be a part of your profession as long as you wish to be there.

There is something one should avoid is

JACK OF ALL AND MASTER OF NONE

To sum up the above, check the following below:

• Understand the basics of photography, Graphic design, logo making, film making, illustration or anything you wish to be.

• Invest in value equipment like computer, camera, graphics tablet, i-pad.

• Online education is a good choice to consider.

• Learn and study something about it every single day to keep self updated.

• Combine one skill with others to bring a fresh perspective to your clients, keep investing in the future.

• Learn and understand social media both which exist and the one upcoming, for now, understand Instagram, Youtube, and blogging.

• Keep self-informed about the people in your respective field and look out for one who inspires you.

• Understand the marketing strategy and what you should do to help your brand grow.

• Be open to possibilities.

• Be observant about things around you and explore your medium in and around it.

Hi, myself Shovona, a freelance commercial photographer based out of Mumbai India. I have styled images for various brands and work as a full-time freelance portrait, food, and product photographer. I also share various tips and tricks regarding freelancing and photography on my Instagram account.

#freelance #dailyblogger #photographer #productphotographer #portraitphotographer #futureofphotography #mumbaiphotographer

WHY DO I BLOG???

because....

Blogging is a trend past many years since the accessibility to INTERNET came into existence. I remember very well one of my BROssss was writing and sharing his poems (way too difficult for me to understand back in those days) over his page. Anyway back to me... The freedom, the evolution blogging gave was really awesome and is really awesome.

BLOGGING became VLOGGING and more and more social media came into existence. Personal branding became important, though it depends the way people presented themselves in whichever mode they chose to be out in public. Freedom of speech as per our constitution was on the way to get more fancied, at times very serious and other times it was meant to be on a lighter note.

The evolution non-sarcastically started bending the knowledge which was been integrated into us from various television channels. People having the power to share their personal views in mind lead to the revolution. In-short we get to know the reality a little more than the brands wishes us to know. Adding to the benefit of having more transparent views it added a star value to the individual and led to the start of non-conventional stardom.The numeric in terms of followers, subscribers and viewers mattered. It was the thing which determined the "Non-Conventional Stardom Value".

If you are in India you have seen the growth of being badass from VJ Bani to something like Dhinchak Puja (seriously....)

Anyway, that's the power of being non-conventional and Blogging aka Vlogging.

As long as I have the desire to be one, I will try to decode myths, I will be more honest and I will be more reachable.Plus I don't earn from my social channel, its completely self sponsored

Sadly the truth post being one recognizable is to start getting molded the way your sponsors wishes you to be.

Making your content more and more opaque, cause all the hard work you have put to get the celebrity status is on the stake of either dancing on the given tune or loosing it for all.

I am a freelance portrait, food and product photographer, who runs a company of herself under the name of SHOVONA KARMAKAR and with utmost pride I have a GST number to display on my client bills to let them know how legit and how serious I am with my agenda to solve their visual problems aka I am a freelance professional. Mumbai being the financial capital and with opportunities which other metro cities cannot provide, I shifted myself to here from Kolkata in 2013.

The path to where I am right now sounds cozy even to myself and I am sure to you too, but past many years things where not rosy, and I mean it. I may have started sharing my understanding about blogging pretty late but I guess I have enough at present to share to people looking for answers. Freelancing happened to me by accident and as I have been experimenting myself with my life to be what I wish to be in future. I alike my batch-mates was running behind marks as it mattered then and wanted to join a firm and live a safe life completely unaware of the fact what my future had it for me and I am more than happy to be here.

Blogging matters to me to have an opportunity to let people know what it takes to be one and how it effects ones life. It's not as easy as living in it's comfort zone and dreaming big, sustenance is a question we keep asking to our self every second and at times literally every second. I may or may not have answers for everything you wish to ask and know but I will try and I will learn things my way on the path.

Things one can understand from me of how to deal and go about. The list is long, the facts are personal and view is subjective.

So here it is...

1

Well unless you are born into someplace which belongs to your own industry or have a God father to show you the way, things are going to be difficult, I assisted someone and I don't think it was a right thing to do, though my experience was somewhere I regret but as it was not in my hand I think I can totally forgive myself. As eventually time passed my desire to make something out of myself in the industry led me to meet some awesome people who helped me generously.

Connect to as many people as possible.

The desire to work led me to grab as many brands as possible in my portfolio devoid of what they paid me. The early years were truly difficult, I at times hardly made enough to pay my rent but the desire kept it going, I managed to bring the minimum needed to sustain.

Create content, generate as many ideas as possible, don't run for a style. Style is something which should come to one gradually, one's experience and understanding should get reflected which is gonna make it something fresh and will help you to stand out of the crowd.

2

It takes decades of experience and thousands of validation from others to let you have the power to earn whatever you wish from every project been thrown to you.

Negotiation, is important to understand what they have to offer you, its is not smart to loose on an experience in-case you are rigid but yes don't let yourself way to low for others to not to value you enough.

Money is the way you will sustain, sadly money is the only way you will dare to dream.

Ask the person contacting you what he/she has to offer you and calculate the basic minimum you think you require to do the job, even if your a new-bibe don't be shy to say NO..! in-case the offered price is way too unpractical.

3

Freelancing is literally a lifestyle that you plan to lead like and its very much like life, totally unexpected, your annual income is not fixed, your taxable income is going to fluctuate. Your daily schedule is nothing you at times can be very proud off and you are more prone to uncertainties in life and almost in every corner. Insurance is your friend and saving is more than priority.

In past few years of being a freelancer, I broke my heart multiple times and it do affected my work, I lost a dear friend and I almost closed my shop though I restarted with a plan and power I wish to keep it to myself and the biggest fear of all, I am an adult with old parents back in hometown and they may not wish me to send them money but my on going struggling phase doesn't let me have enough opportunity to visit them, though I should. A job gives security which doesn't exist as a freelancer and the sooner one is comfortable with its reality with the perks it also gives, the sooner it's going to make your life easier.

The very security rest in our hand and specially in our mind and we need to practice enough as long as possible.

We are mere human, we will do mistakes and that's a part of evolution and we can't avoid it.

4

Don't buy because its cool, its trendy, conscious decision making is a habit which will give you benefits in long run and I am pretty sure you will thank yourself, but give space and opportunity to self to make enough mistakes. Buying tons of clothes is not a very smart thing to do unless you are into the very profession which asks you to do so. Buying endless memberships doesn't make sense unless you use them. Buying gadgets is quaky but be sure what you wish to, keep in mind, it will be obsolete in few months (that is the nasty trick of technology industry.)

I have invested quite an amount in terms of Lakhs in my venture and I am happy to say I have revived the money, but I had to be smart when I did, I literally jumped myself from a basic DSLR to Processional series, got myself a pro tripod and set of strobe lights from Elinchrome (that was the only thing in my budget) a semi pro Rode mic and few pro sd cards and hard drive... well a different article for my equipment list. In-short I had to invest a little more but it was worth it.

In my case of being a photographer a good upgraded equipment helps my client to have content as per the industry standard and I don't have to rent it out or rely on anyone at times when needed, specially the overnight assignments.

Apart from equipment my investment is also for a good internet connection to see some awesome ventures over YouTube.

Make every penny count...!

5

keeping all the biggest life quotes and motivation speech in front of you, it will still be a struggle to keep self motivated. It took me quite a few months to change the way I think I am gonna write and present my blog, I feel I am more invested in the present one than just typing for the sake of doing so. But evolution is something no one can run away with and maturity comes with time and experience and has nothing to do with age, the fear of loosing your engaging capacity finally forced me to do something different, try something more something which needs effort and little planning.

Motivation is my enemy as I do everything for the sake of being happy about it. Motivation is a mere chemical, a happy hormone which is very infectious, its very much reflected in your effort and communication to all the possible presentation skills.

The problem is everything doesn't motivate us and we are taking longer and longer to get over with procrastination.

My personal advice: go out, walk as much as possible, eat fruits (it does work wonders), sit over a corner with a coffee in your hand and ponder how to fix the very thing going in your head since days, weeks, months or even ages. Or just change your perspective in your room or house and try to push yourself a little to think over the issue and solve it. Getting excited is one thing and working over an issue is another. Create an utmost important and urgent need to do it.

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That is pretty much I had it for the day, there are more coming so don't forget to subscribe and if you wish to see more of my work

visit: www.shovonakar.com

If you wish to stalk me over Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shovonakarmakar/

Email me for any work related query at : shovonakar@gmail.com

#freelancephotographer #mumbaiphotographer #foodphotographer #advertisingphotographer #mumbai #blogging #freelancelife

Future is You...

When we call self an artist, the very image of being starving and always broke is something comes in a lay man's mind. We, most of you in this case are from metro cities far more reached and far more open to opportunities which were considered neoconservative/unsafe.

Past few years we have seen a steep boom of photographers, graphic designers. UI, CGI artist, animators, illustrators and more of its kind of story tellers, enough to have a very unhealthy competition of supply and demand and price cut hence it is still considered one hell of an occupation to be.

Freelancing is new trend for many to live a lifestyle with so many ill-practices and myths one lives by but on the other hand its a new and more healthy way to cope with unemployment. Recently the budget passed by the govt of India is more inclined towards freelancing and is its a good news? Only time will tell but its all about believe we need to live with.

Now coming back to the statement I have made above in the heading, what exactly is the future of Imagery business and the answer is simple Conceptually Versatile.

MIX MEDIA IS ON THE RISE

Photography has been a craze past 15 years and so with the boom of digital cameras and how easy and affordable they are, but as time passed we saw a trend of bending realities and motion graphics adding an edge to it. Its indeed a clear indication that things are moving faster than before and if you wish to be in the competition you need to step up your game. Sadly the market craving for such is still very niche specially in India and as per my experience with national and international clients things are better outdoors. People still considering self an old school master should not loose hope but one who desires to join the upcoming market should initiate thinking little out of the box.

Investment in an upgraded system may sound pricey to you at the present point of time but you will surely thank yourself in coming times.

Present market is looking for people who have concepts more connected to people as it has more power to move them. We are far more reached via social media and other mediums and hence people are either sensitive or not so sensitive at all. The overall agenda is to find ways to grab the attention span a little more than given by them and let them know the message we have in mind. Your concept needs to be a little more than either still or moving, it needs to be engaging unbiased of the fact it can be as stupid and as funny as possible.

MORE CONCEPT BASED IDEAS

Following with the above, we have seen a change in advertisement where either the technology is giving an edge and above all the story is making the overall difference. Television commercials are more home made and hand stitched taking us back to the days when things were more practically worth living peacefully.

Raw is the new form of visual treatment where we can see ourselves and effect is far more outgoing. There is no denial of the over the top commercials and pictures which are purely meant for entertainment purposes.

MORE PSYCHOLOGY BASED PROFESSION

Freelancing and any profession per say takes a toll on our mental health in a long run if and when ignored. Recently I met a professor teaching in a design college and loved the passion he has for a better design future for his students. This puts me to the thinking if teaching is a profession where one can help shape one with a better mindset. The more late back and minute the job was been considered back in 90s and 80s the more important aspect they tend to play at the present point of time. Basics aka foundation needs a solid brush stroke.

Sharing the knowledge what you have gained is a new way to counsel people known and unknown and is very much a trend we are gonna see in future. Quality education is either gonna be free or more reachable is something time will say but with the kind of chaotic market it is many bloggers are flexible to give away in a more pocket friendly subscription.

If I need to be frank the quality of design school in India still has a long way to go but keeping hope is never a bad thing.

The line between Photo, film and CGI

Visual creative business has far gone than we can expect and reaching the skill is only beholden by few largely due to the raw material needed, funds and above all the interest and patience one require to be there.

If you think you have the moral and financial support to hang on and surpass more of the mental hurdles to acquire the skill of mastermind, its the best investment you can ever have. If you start today for sure in coming years market is gonna lean more towards its demands.

Artificial Intelligence is controversial

We tend to not so like the artificial intelligence which may or may not have the potential to replace us in the coming future, the competition is very unclear but they indeed have proved from time to time the authority they may have on us. Living in fear is not an option has its more towards economical growth at present but scientist are due trying to imbibe the capabilities for them to take few independent creative calls.

Lets face it, phones and computers are far more advanced than before yet we are calling the calls and trust me it will take a lot for a client to hire them than us so relax.

Coming back to the basics of any freelancing or job, certain things don't change as evolution takes years to come to practical. Supporting yourself with the expensive deal you will have to face will make the life hard to live and will take toll on your mind, as there is nothing easy, even baking a cake has its calculations to follow.

Clients will tend to be ignorant of your struggle and they will continue to push you down from time to time, as long as you hang on you will prove your worth to them.

Visual imagery is not a business of money it is pure passion and pure sheer to master your skill to give back something worth getting inspired and move the mind within. Money will follow, quality clients will come to you and you will carter things to a brighter side eventually.

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Hello, myself Shovona, a freelance commercial photographer, product stylist and a cinemagraph artist presently based out of India. Freelancing is an accident I am living a happy life with and looking forward to more opportunities to explore the unexplored side of mine.

#dailyblogger #photographer #womanphotographer #productstylist #mumbaiphotographer

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

When you need it most, Savings 101.

In every freelance life there comes a phase or a stage when the phone stops ringing and there is this vacuum where the person doesn't understand why there is no calling. In short no opportunities knocking the door.

Every good to go freelancer or an entrepreneur has undergone the above and then the inner awakening happens. The sensibility to tackle opportunities and money.

Finance is a part very much neglected keeping a thought in mind, more is on the way and we have the right to live as if its the last day in life. Often people take the statement in a literal sense and doesn't think about the future. Savings is an bigger aspect than what one considers it to be. Emergency doesn't give you a fore say and when it comes your financial stability determines a lot how you are gonna tackle the issue.

Our parents and generation before were very successful enough, may be because they had least expectations and fancies from their life. The exercise to save is a gift you will always be great full to yourself.

Savings comes in many ways and they are easy to practice though they need a little of restraint from yourself if you want it to be a success. Limiting your needs on monthly and yearly basis do checks the expenditure. Looking for sale and multiple platforms to get the maximum in the least is a good exercise.

Our banks have amazing schemes to help you save and many where your money will be locked for a certain period of time for you to create the same blockage in mind but the returns are fruitful. I personally swear by PPF and FIxed Deposits and I have gained quite a lot in past many years. Contact your bank about the plans they have with the high interest rate.

Investment is a good way for your money to grow, SIP is a quite a new word for many but if done in a healthy way the returns are amazing.

Gold is again an investment which will never let you down, keep the bill intact in-case you wish to exchange it for more gold or money from the desired shop.

Collection of artifacts may sound fancy but its a risky trade to be into, as the industry runs a lot on the based of contacts and presentation, I suggest avoid getting into gambling as much as possible.

A simple act of keeping 60% of your earning as saving is quite a task but its a best way to avoid unnecessary expenses. The phase where no opportunities knock your door do exist in my life and savings is something I swear by. One of the investment I do and it never disappoints is education, upgrading your skill with new knowledge is never an expenditure indeed you open a new door to earn an extra cash. Money is not everything but it do has the power to solve many of your materialistic problems. Fulfillment of dreams is when your alive, you are in a space to think afresh. Money may not be everything but it do makes your life little easier.

Savings is like your best friend and a confidence.

Few things I personally practice to keep my expenditure checked.

• Keeping a menu beforehand lets me buy food accordingly plus I avoid ordering food or going out on daily basis.

• I often check my wardrobe and sort the clothing accordingly to avoid the very feeling of "I have nothing to wear" .

• With every assignment I set aside 50% to 60% of the fees for PPF (I pay the max limit annually to gain the maximum interest)

• I do keep my traveling checked with all possible public transport.

• Every sale is not smart move but I do keep a n eye over it to grab one when its priced the least

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Hi there, its me Shovona, a freelance #commercial #photographer, #cinemagraph artist and a product #stylist based out of #Mumbai India. Feel free to get in touch. For any work related queries you are just a call away.

#potraitphotographer #productstylist #mumbaiblogger #dailyblogger #mumbaiphotographer #productphotographer

5 Reasons I love myself

Why exactly I click myself, am I a part of the narcissist club? Am I self obsessed?

what is the exact reason.

To answer this, there is nothing like stated above. Its pure self love and a part of my meditation. Imagining myself in different formats is my way of letting people know what I have in mind. And creating self portrait is more than just photography its a self check!

I started clicking myself back in the year 20010 and the affair with myself is ever growing.

5 reasons why I click myself.

• DOCUMENTATION: Photography makes more sense when there is a series to complete a story. One image is not always good enough to let one know what its about and a series keeps one engaged with your journey. I love to share my journey with others and let people know there is no harm to let out things, share things in public and speak your mind out. Beauty lies in many factors, in this case, the courage to let people know.

• INSECURITY: If you think I don't feel self conscious, I do. Many occasions do makes me uncomfortable, clubs and pubs are not exactly I sit or enter with ease. There is this constant self judgement my mind does. I need a self check from time to time and that's what portraying myself does. It helps me to understand myself better and go less hard on myself.

• ARTIST: Creation is artistic and I am one. I love creating images which are provoking and raises brows. If people think I am unconventional let them have the view in more exaggerated way. Adoring the fact that I am photogenic is exciting and way too pampering. My images give me the power to do more with myself and hence I get the gut to come out of the shell.

• REALITY CHECK: I have always fancied magazines covers with those perfect face pasted over the front cover and imagined for long how imperfect I am. When I merged myself into photography and the commercial aspect taught me so much about the process one image goes through to be the ideal one to share with many, I realized how hard I was on myself and how hard people are on themselves. It helped me to ease a little and be flawless with the marks I am born and brought up with.

• SELF LOVE: There is not defined reason why I click myself, I started with the agenda to learn photography and editing keeping myself as a model as none wanted to volunteer but the process just became my second nature. The fun part is I never run out of display images over various social media, hahaha... but its indeed a pleasure to self growing as days and months and years passed by, I have been in peace since then and other people's opinion matters to the least.

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Ever thought how much your body speaks about your inner health? If you have documented self for a month you will find the difference. Its a venerable place to be in front of the camera where all your lies gets detected and the beauty lies in your eyes.

#portraitphotographer #productphotographer #mumbaiphotographer #mumbaiblogger #selfportrait #protraiture #selflove #curlyhair #afroindian

Murg Dal

Ever thought what your left over chicken and dal can do? If mixed well it can create wonders, an awesome comfort food and one of my favorite meal which is packed with protein is Murg Dal, left over dal and chicken dumplings with roti or steamed rice on side is best for those chilly winter days.

Best part.. there is NO OIL! Its entirely a boiled aka steamed food and above all, a delicacy which is lazy and Healthy!

What you need:

• Mixed dal (you are free to choose some from your list, almost all kind of lentils go with this recipe so be creative.) 100gms

• Tomato: 1 roughly chopped

• Green chilly: finely chopped

• Salt to taste

• turmeric: half a spoon

For CHICKEN DUMPLINGS

• Minced chicken: 500gms

• Onion: 1 finely chopped

• Green chilly: 3 Finely chopped

• Garlic: 4 Finely chopped

• Salt to taste

• Black pepper: a teaspoon

• turmeric: A pinch

• Jeera powder: a teaspoon

• Red chilly powder: Optional

Procedure

Put your dal (well washed and drained) in a cooker along with filtered water 3 to 4 cups, tomato, green chilly, salt and turmeric and put it on medium flame for 15 to 20 min. Steam it more if you like it really mushy.

Keep it aside to cool down in a bowl.

For chicken Dumplings:

Mix your minced chicken with onion, garlic, green chilly, salt, pepper, turmeric and jeera powder. (in-case you are looking for some spice punch feel free to add red chilly powder.)

Mix the ingredients well and set it aside for 30 mins.

Make some rough balls like dumplings (like those table tennis balls)

In a container boil water and carefully add the dumplings into it (max 4 to 5 at a time, depends on the size of your container), boil the dumplings for the next 5 to 10 mins, and carefully take it out with a strainer and set it aside or add it in your bowl of dal.

Serve it hot with rice and roti/chapati on the side and yeah a zest of lemon juice is a good option.

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I really hope you will give it a try, and let me know if you have made any changes to make it more personal.

Cooking is a very personal activity, a clear reflection of what you are and how you balance. I am been living solo since past 15 years and the very skill has kept me alive and awake...

Really looking forward to hear from you..

Thanks for reading..

See you tomorrow!

#foodphotographer #foodstylist #foodblogger #dailyblogger #mumbaifoodie #murgdal #portraitphotographer #mumbaiphotographer #productphotographer

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SMOOTHIE: banana grape stawberry

Who doesn't love smoothies and they are the best way to gulp in those yummy fruits in a most fancy manner. Smoothie is my fast breaker, its something which takes away my blues and I swear I love it on any occasion.

Smoothies are catching up in many small food chains and pubs and clubs. The name sounds exotic and yes they do come with a good price. What if you can make it at home with no extra taxes. All you need is a blender and some alfafa.. fruits..hahaha. the more exotic they sound the premium it charged.

Here I have simply diced few grapes, strawberries and one banana and blended it well with a dash of lime, salt, pepper and cold filter water or soda (yes soda gives a punch) but optional.

Serve it with few fresh pieces of fruits or a pack of granola. (will share that recipe soon) in a not so fancy glass and enjoy!

Its healthy, its fast its lazy! and the best way to impress your date, even the non healthy one will love it.

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Hello, myself Shovona. a freelance commercial photographer, cinemagraph artist and a product stylist based out of Mumbai India. Food is an integral part of my personality, I belong to a family of farmers and back in my home my family makes sure to grow something organic where ever possible. Food is my religion and I am very passionate about it.

Thankyou for reading..

See your tomorrow!

#foodblogger #foodstylist #productstylist #smoothie #dailyblogger #foodphotographer #mumbaiphotographer

5 things I do to feel inspired

Who doesn't like its day to go awesome.. productive and worth living a life. Inspiration is all we are looking for around us almost all the time, inspiration to wake up, to work and even to fall sleep to start the cycle again all over again the next day and so on.

What exactly inspiration means, it can be the special coffee which wakes your senses up to the yummy dish your next door aunt makes it for you or the special morning message you get from your special ones. Whatever it may be, we need a dose of it. Lately we all been swayed by our digital friends who takes away a lot of us and its high time we connect back to our roots.

So here are my 5 things I do everyday to keep myself on check and I like the daily routine I have lately made it in my life. Depression took a lot from me in past many years and I wish to highlight cause I know exactly how it feels, for the people who are lucky enough to escape, you are just LUCKY!

I WAKE UP EARLY: Last month I was lucky to hear that I am almost on the verge of going depression free and I am on my last course, so I thought to reschedule my daily routine and grabbed this book "My morning routine" which is full of personal notes and surprisingly it helped me to at least be up as early as possible. The morning silence is so peaceful, its a perfect time to meditate and read a book and make self a cuppa tea unless I have a shoot and I pack my stuff accordingly which just leads to a exciting rush with my fav assistant. If I am at my space, I love to check on my plants and get down to write my thoughts over here post I make sure my space is clear, clean and arranged.

I CREATE SOMETHING VISUAL EVERYDAY: Photography is not something I chose, indeed its a thing which chose me and I am so grateful to it since I can remember, giving a meaning to my life. I make sure to click pictures dedicated to my respective projects working parallel to each other to keep my enthu in check and for sure to share things with you all to keep you all updated. Make something to do something you love every single day, whatever your day may be, it will still be meaningful with that one thing you accomplished.

I LOVE STALKING CREATIVES: Reading something about one who made things possible, or going though its creativity is highly inspirational to me. I love the fact how much they influence me in my work and personal life. My YouTube subscribe list ranges anywhere between musicians to financial bloggers to space designers and food lovers. I love to have something of all in small doses everyday. Presently I am following channels like apartment therapy, refinery 29, open space, jamie oliver and more.

I love visiting galleries and book store even a nice small restaurant is a happy source of my inspiration to bring it into my life. I visit this space TAJ tea house in Bandra and I love the way they have styled it and adding to it the collection of tea blends they serve.

I TALK TO MY FOLKS EVERY SINGLE DAY: Whatever it may be, sunny or raining, hot or cold I make sure I am talking to my dad, living far away from them and not been able to visit them often due to my unpredictable work life and my FOMO of loosing out of things here in Mumbai do makes me feel guilty every single day. Yes I have an agenda of getting a bigger space and let them live with me but I guess I will take time as I am almost restarting things. I am grateful to them being with me, believing in me and blindly supporting. I am lucky that way! Sending them to any stupid home will destroy my karma and that's my worst dream I will wish to have.

I CONNECT SOMEONE FROM MY DIARY EVERYDAY: Depression took a lot from me, my contacts, my friends, my aspiration. So I have made an agenda to meet someone or least connect over a call, asking for forgiveness if I had hurt them someway or stating my thanks for all the support they gave. I even make sure to share things over my Instagram account and let people know what I stand for. Cooking is again a way I like to connect to people I lost my touch with. My plant buddies do give an excuse to extend my talk.

The list is not over but the above are my top five. Cooking is something I should not miss but yes it do inspires me. Its more like a stress buster and keep my bank account checked.

Will like to know more about yours.. let me know in the comment below or just DM me.. Looking forward..

And THanks for reading..!

#dailyblogger #blogger #inspiration #inspirationalblogger #mumbaiphotographer #portraitphotographer #commercial #advertising

BUSY being busy.. why being busy is a myth.

We all love the fact that we are busy, away from unnecessary distraction and enough busy to keep people away from us. I tried dating few guys and all I got in return is

"I am a busy person and my life is very complicated!"

Its heartbroken when people tend to give a STOP prior anything happens or rather giving a chance for things to happen.

If we are heartbroken and low regarding few things in life specially not accomplishing the gems what others pretend (like more than half the time) consider being BUSY as the ultimate solution. Lets be honest, are you really busy? and that brings me to the statement of Being busy is a new myth!

Yes, we all are running, grasping to get our goals, acting smart is the new Working hard! IN short.. we all are BUSY! But its high time to re-frame the thing.. we all are just not prioritizing our goals right. Everything in our life doesn't need our constant attention, letting self loose is important from time to time and making space for things which can be temporary is essential.

I have a personal problem with people who call self BUSY.. if you ask why.. let me answer it in the following below pointers.

• They have time to meet friends out of their official life but not having time to make space for new, please think again, then why are you even initiating things with one with whom you don't wish to prolong. Something I say quite often and people are suppose to take it in an offensive manner.. Do you have time to dump everyday in the morning? if yes then you are not exactly busy.

• Why you call yourself busy? when all you have in mind is to cut off when you know you have enough options around to replace me. Just be honest, be straight forward and have guts to face things, it makes you more human.

• Being BUSY! let one clean their hands off when you make a commitment and don't act like a chivalrous one and forget to give a heads up with an update. Its indeed very irresponsible of one to be honest than being the silly BUSY.

• If your bubble is all you like to be in and anything out of the box is challenging then I have one and only one answer to it : whatever suits you..

Things have disturbed me to such an extent that when one calls self BUSY I really start judging. Dude! you are not busy when your busy time is all about netflix and chill. I have almost decided to cut off from these people cause if they don't have time for me why should I. I don't wanna be an agony aunt. Yes we tend to get swayed by things, things we plan, we don't plan, we bump into, we avoid, yes things keeps us busy but making it a lifestyle statement is entirely a bullshit and that is exactly my problem...

MAKING BUSY NESS YOUR NEW LIFESTYLE...

Until last year when I was in a relationship, (which I so wanna share with you because there is indeed a story to talk about) being busy was my enemy. At present I am open to make space for any who is ready to make space for me, yet I am busy!

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Hello.. myself Shovona, a freelance commercial photographer and a product stylist and at present a single 29 year old woman who is dealing with a bad heart break. I have suffered with many issues and presently recovering from depression and keeping self busy is my new life mantra but indeed its not my lifestyle statement.

Thanks for reading..!

See you tomorrow...

#photographer #mumbaiphotographer #advertising #commercial #dailyblogger #mumbaiblogger #bodypositive #aboutme

Mix veg palak

This year I have made a resolution to have home cooked food as much as possible, Cooking no. of meals for next two days is a good plan as per my experience if your planning to stick to it, trust me cooking everyday is not easy, unless you have a maid.

This time Mumbai is actually having its winters after years and I planned to make some recopies to suit my diet needs and keeping it LAZY..! and yumm at the same time. To add my oil and salt and sugar content is low so feel free to add more as per your taste.

Palak aka spinach is a good source of fiber and iron, back in my home we make it sure its a part of our daily menu where fish is a part of it, I have my own vegetarian format which you can treat it as a curry or soup whatever you feel.

WHAT YOU NEED

Quantity enough for one serve for 3 to 4 people

• Palak | Spinach: one bundle (that is how my vendor sells it to me)

• Button Mushroom (thinly sliced): one cup

• Carrot (roughly diced): one cup

• Fresh Green peas: one cup

• Ginger garlic paste: 2 teaspoon

• Green chilly paste: 1 teaspoon

• Tomato puree (fresh tomato blend it to puree)

• Onion paste

• Cumin powder, Turmeric powder, Coriander powder, Red chili powder, Garam Masala : 1 teaspoon

• Cumin seed: 1/2 teaspoon

• Mustard oil: 3 teaspoon (my fav, you can use whatever you have in your kitchen)

• Salt to taste

• Sugar: optional

• Cream: optional

Procedure:

To make it lazy and keeping my blender my best friend follow the steps below

• First add onion, fresh ginger, fresh garlic, green chilly in the blender and make it a paste and keep it aside in a bowl.

• Add your palak and a little of water and blend it well to make a puree and keep it aside in a different bowl.

• Keep your veggies ready at the side.

• Keep your spices ready/.

Place your pan on a high flame and add oil to it, once its hot enough add some cumin seeds and salt to it. Add onion ginger garlic paste to it and toss it well for a min and three and then add your veggies and tomato puree along all the spices mentioned and let it simmer for the next 10 min in a medium to low flame. Once the gravy is thickened add the palak puree and check for salt if needed and let it simmer for next 5 min. Add garam masala and sugar to taste.

Serve it hot in a bowl with some cream.

Feel free to add fresh lime juice and chopped green chilly for extra heat and spice.

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Cooking is an art my father and mother both are very fond of and have made sure my brother along myself know it well enough to survive in nothing. Cooking is not only a stress buster for me but sharing what I believe in something I am glad I can do it keeping my passion alongside. I make sure all my to do things are easy to make and specially for those who are single and one man band like myself. Eating right is my mantra and I always keep in mind what I procure support local vendors and farmers as much as possible. Eating at home not only saves money but its something I flaunt when my friends come over.

thanks for reading...

See your tomorrow!

#foodphotography #mushroompalak #palakpaneer #foodblogger #mumbaiblogger #dailyblogger #foodisheaven #mumbaiphotographer

5 top resolutions for the year 2019

Before I share the resolution I have in mind for the year 2019, I am really not sure how far I will be sticking to it.. haha.. being realistic, but worth a try!

I am sure being healthy, being more mindful about your inner self and the outer world will be on your list and there is nothing different from mine. In-fact I am not sharing anything different.

I am simply glad that I am finally recovering from my depression and and looking forward for something more happily ever after. Depression took some 5 years of my life and there are valid incidents and reasons which made me suffer and I do wish to share but not today, not on the very first day of the year but being honest is something I guess I will like to stick to it for the coming months as long as possible.

1. The lamest of all but indeed important, I wish to start running again, atleast one lap of 3 km thrice a week. Running is not just about loosing weight, being a person working from the comfort of my own space I need to get out and breath, connect myself with the outside world, smile at strangers or rather wish them. I am quite lucky to be residing in a beautiful part of Mumbai, Bandra and both the sea shores are not very far and I feel guilty indeed that I don't greet it much as I should do. So yeah.. going out of my nest everyday is something I am looking forward to.

2. A year full of ups and downs have taught me the importance of money, a loaded bank is fancy and helpful and boosting, so yeah, I am not trying to be minimalist here but I guess I have quite acquired a good control over myself in terms of spending. I am more interested into investment than spending. Collection of clothing is quite good in my cupboard and I am quite sorted in terms of gadgets. I am eager to spent on over educational content and yes traveling is in my list but I guess I need to wait a little more before I make my plans to be a wanderlust. Cooking more homecook meals is on the top of my list and as always eliminate sugar and unhealthy carbs.

3. Many may not be aware of my 365 self portrait program but I wish to restart my exercise of capturing and documenting myself and else on every single day basis. A day is worth when its productive, each step taken towards your goal make you feel less waste. To add I love to document my own home made recipes and they are lazy to make.. I make sure its for the lazy ones! If I have to share a secret with you.. its my mixer blender.. hahaha.. seriously.

4. I am close to being 30 and this is something my brother has in his genes, reading books, reading.. I was somehow very distant from this activity and never exactly understood what kind of meditation it can be. Running you mind wander into the beautiful world of the writer is worth time spent. Yes I do judge a book by its cover and I don't deny that, well there is no harm being a little honest you see! I love the fact I have started reading few and have finished few too, personally I don't believing in letting people know what they should, I feel just grab something and start reading, be it anything.

5. Last but not the least, I wanna wake up early in the morning, one of the worst things depression can do to you, is to start eating you up internally and making you slow, making you feel worthless and unwanted. I recently had a very interesting conversation with someone, where he stated and negotiated over the fact that we are morning beings, just because mass follow certain customs it doesn't make it a principle, being nocturnal is not negative just little off the track. As long as you are making your day worth and productive and taking each step towards your goal, it doesnt matter when your wake up.

With that note.. a Very happy new year.. and looking forward for more as the day comes along.. be safe.. drink responsively and drive safely.. Goodnight!

#dailyblogger #mumbaiblogger #bodypositive #shovona #selfportrait #portraitphotographer #commercialphotographer #mumbaiphotographer #happynewyear2019