Hi, I'm Tejaswi Dubai born, self taught fashion and celebrity photographer. I was around 16 when I got my first mobile phone, a Sony Ericsson: Since then, it's always been about cameras for me. I went ahead to do my graduation in fashion design at NIFT, Gujarat. In my course, we had Photography as one of the subjects, which piqued my interest and that is when I got my first camera NIKON D90. I would love doing my photography assignments and do shoots with my classmates.
After my graduation, I moved back to UAE and kept doing shoots with my brother and friends to keep my interest alive Within a short span, I began working as a Fashion Merchandiser. My work also involves taking part in pre-production processes of photography, which gave me in-depth knowledge of planning and coordination of photoshoots. Gradually started doing in house photography for the brand, for social media purposes. I was always passionate about photography and traveling, so after a while I decided to take a break from my work and take a solo trip to Georgia. My parents were unaware that I was taking a solo trip, but it turned out to be a great experience. I met many new people and learnt a lot. I also met people who loved my work and further encouraged me to take up photography seriously.
But things took an unfortunate turn on the trip when I lost my phone on the trip and my parents found out about my solo trip. They were a bit disappointed in the beginning, but they came around. It was an amazing learning experience for me. Since then I have always loved taking small vacations to different places in India as well. It was on one such trip that I decided to catch up with one of my friends (who is my fiancé). He was a really artistic photographer/ cinematographer and I wanted to intern under him. Looking at my passion for photography, he motivated me further to venture into pursuing a career in photography. After meeting him, I went on a trip to Coorg, my time and photography there encouraged me to join as an intern under him once I returned.
My fiancé, Pradhyuman has played a major role in building my confidence and taught me a lot of technicalities of photography. I have tried different genres of photography, but fashion has been my core strength.
When I was in India. I began approaching people in the photography industry or slightly related to it in Ahmedabad, they slowly helped me build my portfolio as well. I took up a lot of unpaid projects in the beginning team and explored, but my hard work paid off, and I finally started getting paid projects and getting well known in Ahmedabad. I haven't looked back ever since. It has been a huge struggle in my career, trying to convince my parents about my passion, but it all worked out in the end.
All I'd like to say is, be patient, never give up on your dreams. Fight for them passionately, it is never going to be easy, but your handwork will always speak volumes and you will be rewarded abundantly with time.
- Tejaswi Ghagada
If you too want to share your journey into Photography, drop us an email at stories@fo2.in
