Meet pauleen chakravorty | photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pauleen Chakravorty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pauleen, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Honestly, the thought process behind my business is “crisis created passion as profession”. I moved to the USA in 2017, prior to that I was a Casting Director/Stylist & PR for the Indian Movie industry. I had more than 10 years of experience and when I moved I thought finding a job in the movie industry will be a walk in the park, until reality hit and I fell flat on my face. I interviewed with the biggest studios but the results were very disappointing. After 2 years of constant trouble I finally had no choice and had to choose a profession to keep myself sane and independent. I had to support my family and I had to work so I picked up all the barista jobs possible, bought the best camera in the world Sony Alpha and took classes from the “YouTube institute”. In India I had witnessed several photoshoots and I was very involved in all the portrait and fashion shoots, so I had an idea of framing the subject. Keeping those experiences in mind, “Photographer Pauleen” was created.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about career, what can you share with our community?
I am proud of the fact that today I am a photographer without going to a photography school. I have learnt all I could from YouTube and my mentors. It wasn’t an easy journey but I got here because of my passion and my dedication. It’s been a challenge to stand out in the saturated market with so many talented photographers. Its not easy to gain confidence and trust as a newbie but I think my honesty and my caring factor makes me a different photographer. I want to be known as a good person. I want to be known as a photographer who captures the moments. I want to be a reason people have albums for the recaps. I want to be a story teller through my pictures.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My friends are my biggest strength, they have always supported me in whatever choices I have made in life. A few are new and a few have known me over a decade. My life in this country would not have been possible without my partner’s constant support. Today, if I am close to being a “successful photographer”, it is because of his constant support and love. I am here standing tall and proud. My friends and my partner are my pillars of strength. I am also very thankful to all the models who let me photograph them and help me grow my business. I am a better photographer today because of my mentors Daniel, Chelsey, Aaron & Jen. They have taught me all the technical aspects of photography and they are the ones who believed in me to hire as their studio photographer.

Website: www.photographerpauleen.com

Instagram: curiouspauleen

Facebook: photographerpauleen

Yelp: photographerpauleen