"MG, I got a fantastic idea. Why not we continue what we are doing now?"
"You mean this photography thing?"
"YES!! It is fun and who knows where it may take us. Let's give it a shot."
Imagine, 2 boys in class 12, coming across with this idea of starting something new to offer people with their memories.
May, 2016 was the time when a group of students agreed to join hands together and do photography for their school events. They gave Rs. 11000 from their own pockets as a sponsor fee to cover the event exclusively. Similarly, they started covering few other events exclusively by spending money from their own pockets. In return, they recieved nothing but criticism.
"Haha! Look at them. They are trying to be famous by spending money."
"This wont take you anywhere. Dont try to act like cool dudes just by carrying a camera everywhere."
These were the comments and the taunts these guys used to hear by a majority of people and their peer group. At the age of 17 or 18, such remarks did have an impact on their personal and social lives. They were stressed at times. It was difficult for them to maintain their cool many a times.
But still, they had this urge of doing well. They had this eagerness to learn and explore more about photography and to keep sharing memories with people they used to capture through their lenses.
Soon, this team of young photographers started covering more and more events, collaborated with NGOs to give them this service for free and what was next? They got their name shine bright among corporates too. They started getting contracts of birthdays and wedding shoots, corporate events, nightlife events, restaurant and hotel photography, media events etc.
I am proud to say that I was a part of this great team who at present is booming among the masses of Kolkata. This was the most challenging situation of my life because it was mot at all easy for anyone at that age to handle so much criticism and taunts. We always used to face negative comments but maybe that was a boost for us to keep improving and stand tall in the position where we are in right now.