FO2 Stage | Sanket Kashid

I was in class 10th when I was first introduced to the World of Photography. A good friend of mine had bought a DSLR and it was in a school function where I clicked my first few pictures from his camera. While the photos were pretty basic but my friends liked them a lot and that motivated me. They insisted that I should click their pics in different locations. Before I knew it, I was liking the work and the whole vibe of photography.

By class 11th, I started approaching models and influencers and even college students, who were starting out with their modeling careers, for shoots. I learned lots of things from those shoots. I didn't get paid a single rupee but the learning has made me who I am, right now.

In my childhood, I had a different ambition. Like many, I wanted to become an Aeronautical Engineer. I was fascinated by it and never thought that something else was in my destiny.
I’m glad that I got introduced to photography, a time pass hobby that soon turned into a passion and now a lucrative and successful profession.

Initially, I had a tough time convincing my family for a career in Photography. Like most typical Indian parents, they wanted me to have a secure job in some MNC and live a comfortable life. It was not wrong but it wasn’t meant for me.
There was a day when I was in the 11th standard when discussions got so heated up at home that I walked out of my house!  Although it was only for a day, my family was convinced about my passion for photography. Still being the caring and protective parents, They convinced me to complete my 12th board exams and that they would buy me a camera and support my career choice only after that.

For those 2 years, I used to borrow my friend's camera and sometimes even pick it up on rent. Finally, I completed my boards and the day arrived when I got my first DSLR.
My parents coaxed me to complete my graduation but soon the schedule of the classes and photoshoots started clashing so I had to choose one over the other. I chose Photography.

Travelling is a stress buster and it helps me to relax and unwind. Whenever I have shoots lined up for days and days and don't get a day's break, I just plan a solo trip at the end of it all and it refreshes me. It also gives me a chance to introspect, to analyze the works I’ve done and helps me plan out what to do next.

I’ve been in the fashion and influencer industry for more than 2 years now. There are a few bad clients but that’s a very small number. In all, I’ve earned lots and lots of clients that are now friends and family for me.
The industry looks big if you see it from a distance, but everyone is connected, everyone knows each other and helps each other.
Being a 19-year-old, everyone keeps motivating me and keeps suggesting new ways to move ahead and I’m very grateful to have such people in my life.

Whenever someone asks me which is my best photoshoot? I keep saying it hasn't happened yet. As an artist, I keep finding flaws in all my work, which is kinda good as it helps me keep getting better. Like I read somewhere -

"You must have a level of discontent to feel the urge, to want to grow".