He is talented, vibrant , friendly. I have known him for years now ever since college and he is still the same positive, hardworking and always has a wonderful smile on his face. I have always seen his dancing skills, but never knew he has the art of capturing moments. He has been successful in capturing candid moments for weddings, and many more events. Let’s talk life with photographer Parag Gopale where he talks about his life and love for Photography.
- Kindly tell us something about yourself?
I was blessed to have had a memorable up bringing ; lucky to get grandparent’s love from my paternal as well as maternal side. My Nanaji was an artist (painting and sketching). He used to take me for walks on streets of Mumbai from our Lower Parel home and explain me where the mills were ( some mills were still functioning then in 1993-94 ). I guess it was that time when my Nanaji passed his perspective and sight to me. He did not teach me photography but he definitely taught me to SEE.
I studied in Our Lady of Remedy High School, completed my graduation in computer science from KC College and went on to pursue my MBA in Advertising and Communication from Symbiosis, Pune. Photography was always a parallel during this journey; assisting photographers, shooting my own assignments, personal work etc. It was during my first year graduation that I shot LFW ( Lakme Fashion week) 2007; my first big assignment. That was a turning point. Got real good exposure via LFW and since then I have shot LFW for 4 years.
- What are you currently doing professionally?
I had a short corporate stint as a brand communication consultant. But my photography was taking a backseat because of my job, which I wasn’t happy about. So I quit it one fine day and jumped into full time photography. As they say ‘You cannot learn swimming by staying at the shore’. I am currently a wedding photographer & film maker. My production house caters to all the visual services needed to capture moments at a wedding. I love to capture these moments of fun and emotions to savour them for my couples. That’s what my brand promise is ‘Plucking Moments with un-compromising veracity’
- What made you choose this career?
Photography was always a passion. A medium to express myself. I have always loved to observe something beyond obvious, which a normal eye would tend to miss. Be it a lovely celebration of union of two hearts and lives(engagement and wedding), first steps of a baby( candid baby photography), to-be mothers thoughts about her new world ahead(maternity moments), the joy of flaunting your Veromoda dress(Candid fashion photography), to capturing busy as well as sometimes calm life on the streets(Street Shots)
- What is photography for you?
For me the essence of photography was in this one word ‘Moments’. It’s about creating something that will bring smile to a common man’s face every time they see that photograph; something that will take their stress away after a hectic day. Add freshness and happiness. It’s these little teaspoons of happiness that make life worthwhile when you look back. So photography is not just about ‘Depth of Field’ but also ‘Depth of Feeling’.
- Talk about candid wedding photography as a career?
I remember doing my first couple shoot in 2010. Candid wedding photography/ couple shoot concept was setting in, in India at the point of time. And I got amazing response for my work and it got publicized on social media, I started getting calls and I grabbed that chance to pursue my passion as profession. Trust me, it’s not an easy decision to quit a well-paying corporate job and pursue wedding photography as a profession. Initially, I had a tough time in convincing my family but as I started getting calls from pan-India for shoots they got convinced that I am doing something that’s credible and adds value. There have been moments of frustration as there are in any business, but pursuing a creative profession in India is a real big challenge. It’s a seasonal space to be in. So you are shooting 4-5 months a year (depending on the shoots you get) and rest are off season. So commercially SUSTAINING it consistently is something that drives one crazy. It takes immense patience and more than that self- belief and perseverance. But yes, let me tell you that EVEN when you are doing this, you still sleep peacefully because you know you are doing something you WANT & LOVE and not what you are REQUIRED to. It’s a different joy when you see your couple in tears when they see their moments captured.
- Apart from Photography, what do you do in your past time?
Wedding Photography involves lot of travel. The maximum time is consumed by edits. So it’s the edit table where I spend most of my time. Apart from that, meeting new couples for upcoming wedding season, building and updating your work-folio every wedding season, social media promotions etc. But all this is always coupled with amazing music in the background. I love listening to all kinds of music starting for Simon & Garfunkel to Ghazals by Jagjit Singh Sahab. Thumris by Begum Akhtar to Rahul Sharma’s santoor. It all depends on mood. Apart from that I love walking on the lanes of my city Mumbai- my biggest muse. I am a foodie so I love watching travel food shows and trying out recipes. ( They turn out disastrous sometimes :P ). I like playing Badminton and squash in my free time.
- Advantages of choosing your career?
My favourite question. :D. The biggest advantage ‘You are your own BOSS.’ You don’t have a reporting manager. If I feel like going for a holiday or spend time with family, I don’t need to draft a mail. I have the liberty to choose my shoots. You don’t get stressed as you know that you are working for yourself. My dad told me that a good way to measure your love for work is ‘to see how eagerly you look forward to work on a Monday’. If I am shooting over a weekend and told at the last moment that I am supposed to shoot on Monday too, I’ll do it happily. J
- How do you plan your shoots once you get your client?
It’s important to understand the expectations of the couple you are shooting for. Once we are on the same plane then I can direct them and break that barrier between the camera and the subject. I like to choose a concept which is close to the couple and syncs with their story.
- Do you have a team or you are only captain of the ship, from conceptualization to execution?
I have a team. We are a lean team of 8-9 professionals each bringing in their expertise and value add to the table. It comprises of Candid Photographers, Cinematographers, Editors, Soundman and Designers. It takes time to build a good team but once you have it then things become smooth.
- Challenges that you faced during your journey? How did you overcome them?
Firstly it’s a challenge to make yourself believe that you can succeed. A great deal of detailed thought and planning is needed for the same. And once it’s done, executing the plan is the toughest bit. You understand and realise the difficulties that might shoot up suddenly and you have to be prepared to tackle it. Finding a trustworthy team and vendors is the most important thing because if your team or vendor messes up, it’s your image and brand name at stake. So you have to be very stringent on the standards you want to set for your team and yourself. I was lucky to have supportive parents and friends who I have trouble at wee hours. I remember calling up my friend at 3am and pestering him for a wedding trailer that we were working on. I am glad that all people around me have kept in mind the Bigger Picture and criticized constructively.
- How many years does it take for one to be a professional in this field?
There’s no thumb rule honestly, it’s all about how much you are ready to push yourself to reach a mark and then better that consistently. Your couples are your real advertisers. If they love your work for them, they will recommend you to their friends and folks. This is not an Aquaguard that you can go and sell door to door. If the couples like your work and style of shooting, they will connect with you. So it all depends on whether your work convinces the couple that they want you to capture their Big Day and savour it for a lifetime.
- What was your 'Nothing is Impossible moment'?
Well, the one on the top of my mind is during a destination wedding ( which was a Candid Photography Shoot) I was suddenly asked by the couple to shoot a Candid Wedding Film as well. It seemed nearly impossible to arrange for a cinematographer, production and required equipment in half an hour. So I did the Candid Photography and Cinematography at a 600 people wedding all by myself with a Single Camera; a Canon 5D Mark 3 . The result can be seen on my Facebook page or Vimeo channel. When the trailer for the film was ready I was almost in tears as I was a little paranoid about how the result would be. But when the couple and the family saw it, I noticed those moist eyes and trust me there was no bigger satisfaction. The appreciation that I received from them was very encouraging. That has to be my ‘Nothing is Impossible’ moment
- Lastly what advice would you give to the aspiring photographers who want to make their mark in the field?
Observe and respect emotions. Be sensitive to life around you. I guess that’s where it all starts from. Develop your own style. It’s necessary to have inspirations. Follow the work of other photographers but do not copy them. Understand why they pressed the shutter at that precise moment. Remember that a camera only translates what a human eye sees. The technicalities can be learnt in a month, developed by years of practice, but its SEEING and OBSERVING that matters the most. Develop that unique sight and you will develop a unique style
To know more about Parag Gopale's work
If i had to descirbe my peek look in you, More than just a photographer by profession Parag Gopale is a CHIEF HAPPINESS OFFICER too. :) As right said a Boss of his own - Karan Kapoor
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