Bhavya Sanjay Patel-May 2025 Edition 21

Brought up in a middle-class Indian upbringing, where education was treated as sacred and hard work as routine, Bhavya Patel’s journey into the world of photography began with a simple gift—a camera from his brother. Raised in a household where both parents were college graduates, Bhavya was gently pushed toward academic success. But the B.Com. degree he initially chose quickly turned stale. Numbers and ledgers didn’t speak to him. Creativity called louder.

It wasn’t an overnight switch. After stepping away from commerce, Bhavya found himself wandering into the world of frames, light, and stories—photography felt alive. A casual interest slowly snowballed into serious exploration, and with time, the desire to craft visual narratives took over. He enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Film, Television, and New Media Production at KES Shroff College, where theory and practice met. Working behind the scenes as the Social Media Head and shooting freelance helped him build not just skill but grit. Each frame became a mirror of his progress, and every client interaction turned into a masterclass in communication.

Breaking into the Indian photography scene wasn’t smooth. Most clients expected big-brand output at budget-friendly pricing. And few understood the countless hours that go behind editing a 30-second clip or perfecting color tones. So Bhavya made it a point to talk. To explain. To set expectations before signing anything. His contracts became his shield—detailing delivery timelines, revision counts, and payment clarity. When the work is this personal, protection isn’t optional.

Early on, Bhavya struggled with technical settings—ISO, aperture, white balance. Some shots were just...off. But instead of blaming the gear or the moment, he took it as feedback. After each shoot, he sat down, studied what went wrong, and corrected it. Preparation became his ritual. He trained himself to adapt to various lighting conditions and developed an instinct for capturing the right angle at the right time.

Money was tight. With just one camera at his disposal, rentals ate into most of his earnings. It wasn’t glamorous. It was grinding. Freelance projects helped pay the bills, while unpaid internships gave him room to build confidence. Every penny saved went towards slowly buying his own equipment. Over time, the dependence on rentals lessened, and so did the stress. What remained was hunger—and that’s what pushed him forward.

The photography industry, as Bhavya describes it, is unpredictable. There’s beauty in it, but also chaos. Deadlines can become overnight monsters. Clients may suddenly want a music change or a new edit. Some delay payments. Some ghost entirely. It’s this pressure that makes communication his superpower. And if there’s one thing he urges young creators to work on, it’s their ability to speak, explain, and hold ground. “Experience teaches you how to shoot. Communication helps you get paid for it,” he says with a grin.Today, Bhavya’s focus is clear. Deliver high-quality visuals. Be on time. Be affordable. And above all, stay reliable. It’s this trio that’s earned him client loyalty in a competitive market. His phone buzzes with new inquiries—not because he runs fancy ads—but because people trust his work ethic.

Support played a huge role in his journey. His parents never discouraged the switch from commerce to camera. His brother’s gift opened the first door. And a special mention goes to Dr. Raavi Parihar Batra, his college HOD, who believed in him and secured him his first internship. It’s proof that belief—when given at the right time—can shift someone’s entire path.