Aastha Atray Banan spoke to India's only female automobile photographer, Shraddha Kadakia about how eking out a living by shooting a man's indulgence, has earned her respect
Aastha Atray Banan spoke to India's only female automobile photographer, Shraddha Kadakia about how eking out a living by shooting a man's indulgence, has earned her respect Shraddha's photograph campaignu00a0 for Skoda India
Why did you choose to be an automobile photographer?
In life, you taste independence for the first time when you start driving your car. I remember getting a fake driving licence! The need for speed is so important when you are young. When I photograph automobiles, I experience that rush all over again.
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You are a lone woman in a man's world. How does that feel?
It's great, not only because I am doing something that no other woman in India does, but also because of the immense respect I garner from male colleagues. At first, I met hesitation from those I approached, but ifu00a0 you are good at your job, you'll be fine. It was after I shot for Skoda that things changed dramatically. That was the turning point: I realised automobiles were my specialty, and the industry woke up to my talent.
Any hitches trying to convince your conventional Gujarati family that this was your calling?
When I was pursuing a five-year diploma in Applied Arts from Sophia Polytechnic Art and Design, I was asked to click photographs of the making of Ganesha idol at Lalbaug. My professor loved the project, and telephoned my father to tell him that he had to let me do this, because that's where my passion lay. Dad supported me, and even helped me set up my image-making company, Just Click.
What is Just Click?
I didn't want my identity to be erased when I wasn't around anymore. I want my brand to live forever. Just Click provides complete image solutions for a product. Our aim is to give our clients the best service through cost efficient means. To try and save money, is a Gujarati trait. My clients appreciate that.
Your inspiration?
I love wildlife and nature. But as a photographer, I think the real challenge lies in making the mundane look beautiful. Even if you give me an Iodex bottle, I will try and make it look exotic.
What do you want to click next?
An aeroplane or ship. That will be some high.
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