Yoothika Baruah - One Should Believe In Themselves More Than What Others Say (Photographer)

There are opportunities everywhere because everyone wants a photographer nowadays but as a professional photographer, it is also our responsibility to make the people understand what actually it is and what its value is. 

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I am a B.Tech graduate who loves extracurricular activities more than solving technology and computer problems, hence, I chose photography as my profession. If not photography, I would have surely been a contemporary dancer. 

The journey to be a photographer has not been easy at all as there was no support and I was on my own way to go ahead with it not knowing where am heading to. I didn’t have a DSLR and surely had no idea how to use it as well. 

Just to get the living in Bangalore, I joined a company HS Brands Pvt Ltd in 2015 and worked as a “Proofreader” for 2.5 years and then I got my first DSLR which was Canon 1300D in 2016 July. I was the happiest person and I still remember; it was like I met the love of my life. 

I practised and learnt initially using Canon 1300D but slowly I realized that there are so many factors to know and so many features of a DSLR that are related to the type of photography we do. 

I am lucky enough to have one of my friends to be my side when no one else was supporting this field for me. He was and he still supports me so much and I am so thankful to him. 

After 2 years, I had upgraded my 1300D to Canon 80D and as I was not having much of good salary and finance problem, I had to sell my first camera to buy a new one, it was painful. Photography is an expensive investment and I feel sad sometimes when people just see the shutter click of the camera.

So, before risking myself with a photography work professionally, I had left my job twice to work as a photographer. I had worked with Klicpic which is into newborn baby and maternity shoot. I met some other photographers who really taught and helped me a lot during the shoot. I learnt baby and maternity photoshoot when I was in Klicpic. 

I had then done one-week fashion photography with Dev sir in July 2019 as I am more interested in this field. I then did a 2 months internship with Ajio and I was really lucky enough to pass through the internship and join as a full-timer from October 2019. 

That was actually my birthday gift of 2019 and I thank my manager Shiva for choosing me. I was not in a good place financially and he really came in at the right time for help. 

Also, I have been doing freelancing for maternity shoots and trying to be better with my skills and ideas in fashion and portrait. I hope the future journey goes well from 2021 onwards after so much ups and downs in 2020.


2. How and when did you realize your passion for photography?

I realized my love for photography during my engineering when I was in 3rd year. I used to click simple pictures like of sky and I must say the sky is my most favourite element of nature. I saw a guy of our college holding a DSLR during some event and honestly, I saw the DSLR for the first time with so much interest. 

It attracted me in such a way that I just couldn’t stop thinking anything then having my own DSLR someday. I was also very much crazy about the actor Shahid Kapoor and I wanted to meet him, hence, I thought that if I become a photographer, there are chances because, I never wanted to meet him just as his fan, I always wanted him to know me with my profession. 

Still praying for that day to come, haha. However, I then started on the types of photography that are there and I found my interest in fashion and portraits. I always wanted the people to know my name and being a good and amazing fashion and portrait photographer is not an easy task, especially when there are already so many to compete. 

My love and passion increased more when I started to photograph myself as I was a beginner and no models would pose for me. Hence, my Instagram is especially full of my self-portraits. Hence, this is how I have been loving and getting passionate each day for photography because every day I see something new concept and so much creativity. 

There are shots which once I thought that I would click them and I have really done it now. Also, it was my dream my work to be published in magazines and I am really glad that it has been published in the magazines namely Horizont, Malvie, Top Posters, Volant, Picton, Mob Journal, and Marika. 

I hope I can see myself in a much better place than now in the next 5 years along with my love for photography.


3. What are some tips you would like to share with amateur photographers?

Some tips for amateur photographers -

1. Never compare your work with any other photographers and then get depressed. Instead, learn the mistake and try not to repeat it because photography never stops teaching you.
2. Focus on what genre you love the most to shoot. There are so many like portraits, fashion, lifestyle, products, landscape, skyscape, street, candids, weddings, parties, macros, conceptual, maternity, newborn baby, wildlife, and so many. I believe, we should really focus completely on one genre which you are most interested in and the rest genres we can keep clicking for fun and just for daily practice because sometimes changes are also required.
3. Understand your camera and its settings on when to use what setup. ISO, shutter and aperture are the magic buttons to create the amazing effect you may want.
4. Practice different lightings in different locations.
5. Never be discouraged no matter what the society or the outsiders say. It is your life; you choose what you want to be. 6. Work hard and never quit learning. Trust your instinct because it’s never wrong.

4. What are the important skills one should have to be a successful photographer?

I believe one should believe in themselves more than what others say. One should not get demotivated just because someone is laughing at what they are doing.

Also, accepting their own flaws in the pictures, they should be able to find out what mistake they did and how they can make it better. Building a trustworthy relationship with the client and interacting with them during the session. Also, sharing the images with them on time as promised before or after the shoot. 

Relationship and being on time is the key to a good photoshoot session. The photoshoot session has to be organized because the clients always come with a mind that you will be prepared from your end. Hence, the photographer must be ready with all the arrangement on time.


5. What are various opportunities available for aspiring photographers?

Nowadays, we see everyone is walking with a DSLR and a long lens called a telescopic lens. Honestly, people think that if they show off a big lens to the people, they can get good images, however, it is not the reality. 

A good image depends on the framing and settings with proper lighting. I have seen no one really respects the photographers work because many people can buy a DSLR and for them, it’s just a click of the shutter. The society really needs to know what actual photography is and what we invest to make the picture look the best.

Hence, there are opportunities everywhere because everyone wants a photographer nowadays but as a professional photographer, it is also our responsibility to make the people understand what actually it is and what its value is.


6. Which is your favourite book and why?

Honestly, I don’t read books or novels but recently I have started reading Bhagwat Geeta and I love it as it purifies the soul and gives you so much courage to go ahead and fight for yourself. The book has so many positive vibes that a person will feel recharged. 

I personally feel everyone should read it at least once in their life whenever they feel that they are not able to find answers for their problems. It is a book of life which explains the value of life.


- Yoothika Baruah (Photographer)

This is Yoothika Baruah from Assam, India. A photographer by profession in Ajio.com and also as a freelance photographer. I have been into photography field professionally for almost 3 years now. However, if we go via my studies, I am a B.Tech graduate in Electronics & Communication. I am in love with photography from the core of my heart. 

I am more interested in fashion and portraits when it comes to professional photography. I also do self-portraits and I have been practising it during the lockdown time as there were no models for test shoots. Photography gives me peace to my mind. 

Apart from photography, I love dancing, though I am not a professional dancer I always wished I was. I have always been interested in extracurricular activities more than studies, however, I was good in studies too. 

I always wanted to learn karate as well but because of some reasons, I couldn’t learn it. If I talk about my family, I have mom, dad and a younger brother. My brother is into videography and he also has a youtube channel.

You can surely check out my work on my website (mentioned below) and also I would love your support on my Instagram @yoothika.

Website: https://ybaruah04.wixsite.com/delenaphotography
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoothika-baruah-9326648a


Interviewed By Pratibha Sahani