I recently attended a workshop hosted by the wonderful photographer, Claudia Kronenberg, on Nantucket Island. Part of the workshop was about defining, or, in my case redefining my business goals and refining my niche.
With so many Indian and multi-ethnic weddings I have loved photographing over all these years, one might guess that my niche is the South Asian community. As an American of Indian origin, I am able to blend in, almost to the point of being mistaken for a guest. I know what to look for and position myself at the right time and in the right place in anticipation of a moment I know my clients would like captured. The rituals may appear similar from one wedding to the next, but what defines my images are the natural interactions of the bride and the groom with the people celebrating their wedding.
But it doesn't end there. With time and new skills, I have found I can create new products like albums, slideshows and print enlargements, that my clients will value forever. It is an awesome responsibility, but I take pride in that my images evoke and then refresh a memory of a cherished once-in-a-lifetime event.
My portfolio from 2006 is a great mix of weddings that are Indian, multi-ethnic and mainstream American. Going back to the images I created last year, I can see a definite pattern. It is of knowing in my heart that what I love to do best is to honestly and unobtrusively capture the emotions of the day. So my niche isn't just one community – it's photographing people and their essence from all walks of life.
Please continue visiting Pipal Productions to view new slideshows and special projects.
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