Meet Kushagra Sinha, he is a photographer by passion and an engineer by profession. He is still perusing his engineering.
We got an opportuninty to talk with him and to know about the passion he is having for photography.
The goal is to provide professional portrait as well as fashion shoots which can be used by the model or organisation for their portfolio, e-commerce website or personal use.
What made you start your startup and what problem does it solve?
In a city like Bangalore which is still emerging in the fashion industry, we don’t have a wide variety of photographers here. Unlike Mumbai and Delhi, we have either Amateurs out their or high end fashion photographers, their’s very less in between. I provide shoots for all types of models or companies, either struggling or professional, which can easily fit in their budget accordingly.
Tell us about yourself, your previous jobs/ventures? What were you doing before this startup?
I was pursuing my engineering from a renowned college of Bangalore only. Although I was very much interested towards my passion of photography but due to my academic commitments I wasn’t been able to give much time to photography. So, 2 years back, I left the college and started doing photography for a living. Just like any other business or startup, the initial days weren’t so good. This is a field where one needs to have proper equipment and gears apart from the skills, it took almost a year for me to own these and build a proper portfolio. Although, I’m pursuing my bachelor’s degree now but that too, in photography only.
Where is your startup based out of? Why do you think that is the best place for you?
It is currently based in Bangalore. Although I do go to my hometown (Patna) twice a year for a couple of weeks. So, during that span of time, I take shoots their also. According to me, Bangalore is an ideal place for me because it is still emerging in this field I can look forward to a lot of opportunities here.
As a startup founder, what are you paranoid about? What keeps you awake at night?
I’m always exploring the internet for something new, new ideas, concepts, brainstorming it. Making a moodboard for any upcoming shoots & obviously, editing and retouching the previous shoots. It takes more time than anyone can even think of.
Who are your competitions and how are you better than them?
I don’t think that I have any competitions at this point of time. Everyone is doing in what they are good at, so am I.
How hard is it to have a work life balance as a startup founder and how do you manage it?
Well, it’s really hard to work like this individually. Although I do hire people for any pre-production things such as stylists, make-up artists and art directors as well. But it also takes a lot of time for the post-production thing which is also, an important part of this. How do I manage this? Because I love doing this.
Have you raised funding? If yes, then we would like to know the details. If no then please tell us if you are looking to raise.
Except the initial times, I’ve got paid for the times I’ve worked, mostly. Although not all shoots are paid, some are collaborations for my own good.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about you? Why do they have that? What’s the reality?
Not only me, about any photographer out their; the biggest complication is collaboration. People want to get such professional shoots for free just by saying let’s collab. This shouldn’t be done every time. A lot of effort, money, skills, time, gears worth lakhs are involved in this and all they want is for free. It is hard for the struggling photographers to raise funds in this during their initial times, but once your’e in the game, it’s on.
What gets you excited about this company?
Frankly speaking, I’m always excited about it because I Love doing this.
Tell us how a day in your life looks like? Your schedule for a day right from the time you get up till you hit the bed at night.
My day, starts while using the phone, ends up on phone. Obviously, their’s a lot in between. Camera-Models-Photoshop. Scouting for locations, creating moodboard, shooting, editing; that’s it.
Tell us about your team and how did you meet each other?
Although, their’s no one connected with me for a very long term as per now. But I do have a stylist, make up artist as well as an art director/assistant whom I do hire for any shoots if required.
