My Food Photography and Videography story: 2024 | Creative Journey
2024 was a year of growth, challenges, and immense learning. As a food and product photographer and stylist in Pune, India , I have been in the field professionally for five years, with an additional two years of learning and practicing. My journey began unexpectedly when someone approached me for a shoot. Over time, Instagram and my website became my primary sources of clients.
Working from a home studio has been a mix of convenience and challenge—transforming my living space into a creative haven and back again has been physically and mentally taxing. However, this year taught me how to streamline that process, manage my time effectively, and create a better balance between personal and professional life.
2024 tested my limits, but it also helped me refine my skills and processes. I worked on approximately 40–50 projects, mostly for recurring clients, and exceeded my revenue goals despite increased stress and distractions. Here’s how the year unfolded:
January
Key Projects:
Traveled to Coimbatore for a dance video shoot in a serene yet challenging environment.
Created a brand story for a jackfruit product line.
Conducted an indoor shoot for an oil brand story and crafted an ad for Pongal for an organic jaggery brand with live voice recording featuring models.
Learning: Preparation is key for outdoor shoots—carry essentials for harsh weather.
Highlight: Capturing the essence of regional products and working outdoors in Kerala.
Challenges:
Managing intense outdoor shoots under extreme weather conditions.
Juggling multiple shoots in different locations within tight schedules.
Aligning creative vision with client expectations for live recordings.
February
Key Projects:
Product storytelling and lifestyle videos for a spice brand.
Valentine’s Day campaigns with influencers.
Personal project for a skincare brand.
Easter special recipe photo shoot for a spice brand.
Maternity shoot for a friend’s family.
Multiple utensil product showcase videos with models in a U.S. aesthetic.
Learning:
Ensure detailed mood board discussions to align expectations early.
Update contract terms to include service timelines and reshoot policies.
Though you agree to shoots for friends or family, clarify timelines to manage expectations.
Challenges:
Revisiting a project due to lack of clarity from the client post-delivery.
Managing unexpected reshoots, leading to timeline disruptions.
March
Key Projects:
Visited Devgad to document mango farming stories.
Captured candle lifestyle videos.
Shot website images for a spice brand and skincare products for social media.
Participated in the Fujifilm Delhi event, networking with industry legends.
Learning:
Preparing shoot setups a day earlier helps avoid delays and ensures client alignment for bigger projects.
Factor in local availability and schedules for location-based shoots.
Challenges:
Scheduling conflicts during location shoots due to unplanned worker availability.
Managing logistics for outstation shoots.
April
Key Projects:
E-commerce shoots for international brands.
Mango brand story lifestyle shots with models and recipe videos with animation.
Delivered tea brand group shots and mango recipe videos with animation.
Learning:
Sleep deprivation leads to burnout; prioritize rest.
Streamline project timelines to avoid overlapping deliverables.
Highlight: Featured in Jay Trade Times Women’s Day edition.
Challenges: Late-night sessions leading to mental and physical fatigue.
May
Key Projects:
Father’s Day campaign shoot.
Conducted my first offline one-on-one photography coaching session.
Learning: Overworking leads to mental strain; seek support during challenging times.
Challenges: Mental exhaustion from continuous creative output.
June
Key Projects:
Furniture shoot in a studio for an international client.
Skincare brand model shoot.
Learning: Allocate dedicated time and space for extended shoots.
Highlight: Published an article about my journey in Yoof Mag.
Challenges: Balancing client budget expectations with production processes.
July
Key Projects:
Created oil brand minimalistic lifestyle videos.
Scriptwriting for a short film for the first time.
Learning: Approach storytelling with depth in scripting.
Challenges: Navigating the complexities of film scripting.
August
Key Projects:
Captured 40+ cakes in a two-hour restaurant shoot.
Worked in a cloud kitchen to style and photograph 50+ pizzas.
Attended a women photographers’ meet, gaining insights from shared challenges.
Learning: Plan for diverse deliverables in restaurant shoots.
September
Key Projects:
Produced Amazon ad videos with models for an organic brand.
Undertook a deeply personal project on women’s pain, showcasing raw emotions.
Learning: Balance emotional and professional boundaries in sensitive projects.
October
Key Projects:
Created festive content for spices and sweets brands.
Highlight: Secured a retainer client, ensuring stable monthly income.
Challenges: Maintaining creativity under pressure.
November
Key Projects:
Crafted a vision board for 2025.
Secured the biggest project of the year.
Learning: Scale resources effectively for large projects.
December
Key Projects:
Personal Christmas shoot with my son—a long-awaited project.
Chocolate brand campaign video for Christmas.
Learning: Schedule holiday projects strategically to maintain quality.
Urvee’s Journey
This year, for Urvee, an aspiring stop-motion artist. She began her journey with excitement but faced a significant physical setback. Through her experiences, she learned that prioritizing health is the greatest wealth - a lesson that resonated deeply with me as well. Urvee’s story is a reminder that sustainable success requires balance and well-being.
Our Achievements
Exceeded revenue targets for the year.
Worked on diverse projects, from brand videos to e-commerce shoots.
Published and featured in notable magazines.
Built meaningful connections within the creative industry.
Overall Summary
2024 was a year of immense growth and learning. Despite challenges like creative ruts, tight schedules, and navigating personal setbacks, I emerged stronger and more focused. The year prepared me to step into 2025 with a clearer purpose, stronger systems, and a renewed sense of self. Health, balance, and adaptability have become my guiding principles for a sustainable creative journey.
