Mr. Manju Acharya
Wildlife Photographer

Mr. Manju Acharya is an avid Wildlife Photographer who is a Business Process Analyst by profession in an International Bank. For him, photography is his true passion which brings out his innermost creativity. He wants to create awareness among people regarding Wildlife conservation through his photography.

We had an opportunity to interview Mr. Manju Acharya and below we have given excerpts from his interview.

1) Tell us something about you and how you developed an interest in photography?

I’m a Bangalore based Nature and Wildlife Photographer, currently working as a Business Process Analyst in an International Bank, and I am also an active contributing artist at Artists for Wildlife Conservation (Karnataka). Being a nature & wildlife enthusiast since the young age, I catapulted to work for BBMP Forest Cell & Karnataka Forest Department as a certified volunteer engaging in various wildlife rescues and awareness programs. Thus, building my passion for photography to contribute towards wildlife through wildlife art.

2) What are the various types of photography you indulge in?

Wildlife and Nature Photography, Sports Photography, Event Photography, Product as well sometimes…

3) What is the inspiration that keeps you going?

Photography is the strongest medium to convey your perception with which I’ve been trying to create awareness or contribute towards conservation through my photographs. Adding on, Since I’m primarily a wildlife photographer, this genre further pins my passion in capturing moments that are too fast to be easily seen by the naked eye, the momentary eye contact with an animal or bird, the light in an eye and the transient light at dawn and dusk.

4) How do you feel when your work is viewed and appreciated by a large audience?

Feels very positive. Not because people have just appreciated, it is about the recognition for Wildlife Photography which isn’t widely seen in our country. Wildlife photography is not just to fuel one’s passion, it is a channel of education to our society in sharing knowledge about our rich flora and fauna. Hence, I feel very happy and proud when the audience notices my work along with the beauty of our ecosystem.

5) Tell us about photography and its inception?

The Daguerreotype invention is not really the inception of photography alone. I personally believe it’s just the mode of results that has changed with the amount of science and technology involved today. Photography starts from imagination and our composition. Even before the invention of cameras, artists used to paint their perception and now we have cameras to portray similar results. Thus, I think the history takes us all the way back to when humans started to imagine their perception towards subjects along with their unique compositions as every photographer isn’t the same because every composition can’t be the same.

6) What, according to you, is photography and how do you perceive it?

Photography to me is the STRONGEST MEDIUM to convey a message. It’s a POWERFUL TOOL to express. My aim is to use photographs as a powerful medium to create awareness, conserve nature and to contribute to wildlife. A picture stays longer and makes a bigger impact than words. A combination of both will stay forever and is expected to make a change. Everybody has a camera today or at least mobile cameras, but photography isn’t for social networking alone. It can contribute in various areas for example – Documentation of a subject or scenario, scientific studies through comparison of a subject from past, present and future, behavioral studies, creating awareness and also a sale of art towards conservation. Every photographer can contribute towards any area mentioned above because it’s not the big lens, rather is called the creative sense.

7) Please share some of your achievements in the photography profession.

Featured across multiple national and international level periodicals like Smart Photography, Sanctuary Asia, etc.

Sale of my wildlife photographs has contributed over 1,00,000 INR towards Earth Brigade Foundation, Wildlife Trust of India, Mariamma Charitable Trust for Key Wildlife Conservation purposes.

Finalist for Sanctuary Asia – 2017 Wildlife Photography Awards.

Placed second in the national level competition conducted by sprouts India, Pune in support with Saevus in 2015.

Ranked among top 10 photographers in India from a national level competition conducted by Forum group in 2014.

3rd Price in the national level competition conducted by Friends of Elephants in association with Darter – 2018 for contribution to wildlife through photography.

Ethics in Wildlife Photography sessions conducted in and around Bangalore during 2017/18.

Judged various photography competitions conducted by various photography institutions like Jain University, BMSIT, Acharya Institutions, Sapthagiri College of Engineering, MES College, Don Bosco Etc during 2015/18.

8) Tell us something about the photography community you belong to.

I love being part of the most criticizing/genuine communities along with any community that serves some purpose because that’s what makes us better tomorrow. But then I always believe experience and experimentation are the best teachers in art. While learning art, steps can’t be skipped but can rather be fastened through positive acceptance of genuine feedback. Thus, I’m a part of very few communities where I enjoy discussing, criticizing, appreciating elements in a photograph and not take things too seriously. Art should be fun because that’s what fuels one’s passion to keep going and enjoy what they do… It’s also saddening to see how the current trend is, as it’s mostly “Appreciation for an Appreciation”.

9) Tell us about the general response you receive in exhibitions.

It’s highly unpredictable. So far from my experience, I would say it depends on the gallery and chosen crowd. Art isn’t appreciated the way it was, and response crowd isn’t the same as well due to immense technology, where people like to spend more time on Instagram than being at the gallery and spending quality time with true artists. Being active contributors to ‘Artists for Wildlife Conservation Karnataka’ (AWCK), people generally take a walk and leave. But those who have an interest in photography, spend productive time, speaking to artists about the subject, location, composition and plan ahead which feels nice and brings in positivity to do more. Exhibitions are not for sale of photographs alone, it has more to do with awareness and networking opportunities an artist gets to create. So, I’m happy with every exhibition, though the response or results are highly varying.

10) What do you think about the scope of Photography in the modern Digital world?

There is immense scope in most of the photography genres but finding the right platform is challenging. Every guy and his brother are photographers today with increased buying power, the technology of good cameras in mobiles, etc. Ethics are barely considered as the objective is only to make a good photograph, which means the supply is high against demand along with huge competition. I think scope only comes into the picture if photography weighs more towards profession than passion. Yet, opportunities are high, and one should capitalize when provided adhering to basic ethics.

11) How do you feel about your association with Honeycomb creative support?

Being a Nature & Wildlife Photographer, color matching is what I’m always keen about during printing and honeycomb has aced it every time in providing me 99% match all the time. They are quick, adaptive and flexible in their approach which is highly required for client satisfaction. Since the first output from Honeycomb, I’ve printed nearly 30 prints of different size varying from 0.5 ft – 4ft larger side and different mediums like Enhanced Matt, Premium Luster, Hahnemuhle Canvas etc and have been highly satisfied. I’ve always recommended them as I prefer quality and client satisfaction over money.

12) What are your future plans and dreams?

I wish to be a full-time Nature and Wildlife photographer contributing towards awareness, cause, documentation, behavioral studies through challenging projects. The plan is to find the right platform and work towards involving a basic understanding of our wildlife in our education system for kids below 10th grade through the strongest medium of photographs and documentaries. A couple of decades from now, I would like to settle in the woods for a peaceful living…

Mrs. Aditi Talwar
Portrait Photographer

Aditi Talwar is an ardent photographer who left her legal job for taking up photography as a full-time profession. Her journey as a photographer has been interesting so far.

We interviewed Aditi regarding her interesting journey as a professional photographer and below we have given excerpts from that interview.

1) Tell us something about you and how you developed the interest in photography? 

I started to take photos while I was in college and was very passionate about learning how to use my camera quite from the time when I got it.

2) What are the various types of photography you indulge in? 

Portraits of all kinds – Newborn, Toddlers, Families, Adults, Headshots.

3)  What is the inspiration that keeps you going? 

The fact that there is always so much to learn and explore.

4)  How do you feel when your work is viewed and appreciated by a large audience? 

Definitely feels great, but I also like to sit down and understand where I can better myself and become better than what I am today.

5)  Tell us about photography and its inception? 

When my daughter was about four months, I did not want to go back to my legal job. I thought I would explore the idea of doing photography as a full-time business before I knew it, it had picked up and there was no turning back.

6)  What, according to you, is photography and how do you perceive it? 

For me, it’s capturing moments in their true form as I see, added with an artistic element. So, I am always trying to clear off distractions in backdrops and working towards my imagery as my own artwork.

7) Please share some of your achievements in the photography profession. 

Leaving my full-time job and getting hands-on training and continuing with a portrait business has been a very big achievement for me.

8)  How do you feel about your association with Honeycomb creative support? 

Honeycomb team has been fabulous to work with, very supportive, responsive and hands on.

Mr. Vinay Kumar
Founder, Eco Fresh Creamery

Mr. Vinay Kumar and his partner Mr. Pramod Kumar Banakar started the Eco Fresh Creamery with a good intention of providing healthy, hormone and antibiotic free milk to people in and around Mysore in Karnataka. Their farm is located amidst lush greenery near Mysore and complies with the international standards of cow rearing. The cows in the Eco Fresh Creamery live a disease-free happy life and give nutritious milk that is immediately chilled and hygienically packed and quickly supplied directly from the farm to the kitchen. The Lacto Queen milk from Eco Fresh Creamery is a wholesome food for your family.

We interviewed Mr. Vinay Kumar regarding his entrepreneurial journey and the excerpts are given below: 

1. What made you venture into the business world? By venture, I mean your founding vision behind your organization?

My main motto was providing value addition to the customer. Our company works with the vision of solving the problems of our customers. This is what which draws a line of separation between us and our competitors. We are catering to good quality and standards which were otherwise lacking in the traditional dairy industry dominated by milk co-operatives.

2. Can you tell me about the initial obstacles that you faced while setting up your business? And how did you tackle them?

Well. For me, taking my family into confidence was my primary obstacle. As you see dairy business is completely based on Agrarian model and so not much looked upon by common people. In fact, it is always treated as a small-scale business model suitable to only small farmers. To start with, there was no proper support system for new entrepreneurs entering the dairy business and there is not much done by the milk co-operatives either. So, initially, I prepared a list of successful dairy company owners and I met them to find about their business journey. So, the initial hiccups were always there.

3. Is your home environment conducive to your entrepreneurial aspirations?

Yes. Initially, I had to face a lot of skepticism as I have already spoken about dairy business and the people’s opinion about it. But gradually my family realized the importance of value creation that we were aiming at and understood the bigger picture. Then, of course, they became my primary support system.

4. What are the core values of your organization and how did it evolve to be a successful establishment?

Ok. The core value of Eco Fresh Creamery has always been creating value addition through the supply of unadulterated milk (antibiotic and hormone free) directly from the farm to the customer’s doorstep. Eco Fresh Creamery has completely evolved around this core value. We have never compromised in case of manpower or infrastructure that may hinder our Lacto Queen milk’s quality.

5. Did you build your organization with your own capital or you opted for crowdfunding or partnership?

Well. Eco Fresh Creamery is a partnership venture along with my friend Pramod, and we have funded it with our own capital and also took bank loans for it.

6. How was the competition in the market when you were initially setting up the roots for your business? And how did you outshine your competitors?

Well, the market is dominated by co-operative milk societies, but anyway, the market for our Lacto Queen milk is least affected as our milk caters to only niche customers and is only targeted at a specific audience. The people who are looking at unadulterated, antibiotic and hormone free milk will come to us. In this venture, we have complete control over the feeding of cows, the health of cows, packaging and delivery, so, there is less competition. We are different from the otherwise mechanised dairy co-operative societies.

7. As you know strong foundations make a strong building and, in this context, according to you, how important is it to have a nurturing work environment for harboring good talent?

Yes. A good team is very necessary for nurturing a successful business. Identifying people who sink into your core values of business and operate in line with them is often a daunting task. Well, in my business I require both skilled and unskilled labour. The task of finding the right people, has always been challenging and eventually, you will get the rhythm of it and you will surely end up with like-minded people.

8. If you want to pick one important factor that played a major role in your success story, what would it be?

Well, for me, family support is the biggest factor that played a major role in whatever I have accomplished today. Without their support, this would not be possible.

9. We all learn from our mistakes and you might have done at least one such mistake in your journey as an entrepreneur, what is it?

Yes. I will tell. In my opinion, we could have launched our Eco Fresh Creamery about 6 to 8 months earlier as all necessary things were in place. I would say the delayed launch could be a slight hindrance in our progress.

10. Every person craves the fruit of his/her hard work, for you which was the most successful and happy moment in your professional life?

Ok. In the present-day scenario, everybody is drinking adulterated milk laden with antibiotics and hormones. I think milk must be unadulterated, hygienic and pure and our Lacto Queen milk has all such good qualities. The moment when our consumer tasted our healthy milk and I saw that happiness on their face with peace of mind, it was the most memorable moment of my life.

11. There are moments in life when you feel that you are completely drained out. In this context, what energizes you to get up and move forward?

Dairy is a demanding industry and it is 365 days 24*7 job. We have nearly 100 cows to be milked. Our cows should be comfortable and healthy. Because healthy cows mean healthy milk and satisfied customers. Each day morning our customers will be waiting for our pure milk and this is what drives us to move forward even when we feel drained sometimes.

12. We know that the latest marketing technique when successfully adopted brings in more business, so what are you doing to market your products and services?

Well. As Eco Fresh Lacto Queen milk is a niche product, it requires special marketing techniques and a unique marketing strategy. I always opt for below the line, interactive, one-to-one and personalized marketing technique. Our collaterals are interactive, and our promotional video talks about problems in the industry and educate the consumers regarding the importance of healthy milk.

13. In the modern-day scenario, evolving technology is considered to be the backbone of any business, then how would you predict the effects of technology on your business in the next 10 years?

Ok. In the next 10 years in the dairy industry, the customers will be educated and demand more about the product. They always want minimum interaction and maximum from the product. We will be using the latest technology in the future to communicate with our customers. In future generic content will not be enough to attract customers, in fact, the content needs to be interactive and engaging to draw the attention of the customers.

14. Most of the successful entrepreneurs are avid readers, and so I heard you are, then which are the 3 books that you would suggest for reading to budding entrepreneurs?

I would suggest the budding entrepreneurs read ‘Go Kiss the World’ written by Subroto Bagchi, ‘Who Moved My Cheese’ written by Dr. Spencer Johnson and ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ written by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter for gaining business knowledge.

15. You are a successful entrepreneur and with this expertise, what would you suggest to others to make the best use of their time?

Yes. I will tell. The budding entrepreneurs should use their free time in developing a strong network of people. You can always connect with the right kind of people who can be there for you in time of need and can guide you through the day-to-day business problems.

16. ‘To grow beyond stars’ is something that literally everyone wants for their business, but can you just tell me about your near future business goals?

Well. In near future, I want to achieve a customer base of nearly 2000 customers. I also plan to supply them my Lacto Queen milk along with other milk products in the next one year.

17. Your business clients are the ones giving bread and butter to you. In this context, have you turned down any of your clients?

I always take my product to right kind of people who really want Lacto Queen milk and so there is no question of me turning down my customers. The right thing to do is to focus on the niche customers related to your product segment.

18. Now that you are successful and happy, would you like to be a mentor and give a single success mantra for the newbies in your field?

I would suggest the budding entrepreneurs to launch their products as fast as possible as soon as the arrangements are ready. They should also not have excess infrastructure than required.

Mr Roy Thomas
Managing Director, Orange Printers Pvt Ltd
Email: roy@orangexpress.com
www.orangexpress.com

About: Mr Roy Thomas is the managing director of Orange Printers Private Limited. He has a strong expertise in the printing technology industry.
Orange Printers Pvt Ltd is a commercial printing and packaging company based at Trivandrum Kerala. It started its humble journey in 2008. The company follows the anthem “more than ink on paper” as its vision and is known for its impeccable quality and fast turnaround time.
We interviewed him regarding his entrepreneurial journey and the excerpts are given below:

1. What made you venture into the business world? By venture, I mean your founding vision behind your organisation?

Venturing into this business was rather a gradual happening and that happening further gained vision and that vision grew into a strong Instinct and that instinct became our passion for printing.

2. Can you tell me about the initial obstacles that you faced while setting up your business? And how did you tackle them?

The day to day management and surviving the tough competition were the initial obstacles we had. We tackled these obstacles with guts, planning and vision.

3. Is your home environment conducive to your entrepreneurial aspirations?

Yes. It is. My family is my primary support system.

4. What are the core values of your organisation and how did it evolve to be a successful establishment?

The Core values of our organisation were and are, to be genuine and honest in whatever we are doing. Based on these core values we have built a strong trust with our customers and that trust is still keeping us move forward successfully.

5. Did you build your organisation with your own capital or you opted for crowdfunding or partnership?

Our business is based on the partnership model, and we have built our company from scratch using our own bare-minimum capital.

6. How was the competition in the market when you were initially setting up the roots for your business? And how did you outshine your competitors?

We had to face extremely tough competition when we started initially, and we faced it with patience and vigour.

7. As you know strong foundations make a strong building and, in this context, according to you, how important is it to have a nurturing work environment for harbouring good talent?

It is highly important to have a strong internal platform to nurture and harbour talent whether it is good or bad.

8. Today’s market is consumer driven, so, how did you build a strong customer base and impeccable brand loyalty?

We render personalized customer service, and we made sure and still make sure that every customer feels like an extraordinary customer, very special for us.

9. If you want to pick one important factor that played a major role in your success story, what would it be?

‘Speed to market’ – we had the fast turnaround time from work order to processing to completion and to delivery to the customer. This factor played a major role in our success.

 10. Every person craves the fruit of his/her hard work, for you which was the most successful and happy moment in your professional life?

Well. The happiest moment for me was being recognized at the national and international level for our little initiatives.

11. There are moments in life when you feel that you are completely drained out. In this context, what energises you to get up and move forward?

My daily responsibilities and challenges always keep me on my toes and energise me, when I feel drained out sometimes.

12. We know that the latest marketing technique when successfully adopted brings in more business, so what are you doing to market your products and services?

Ok. We have used the same modern-day marketing tools and technology everyone and everybody uses, and they have given good results for us.

13. In the modern-day scenario, evolving technology is considered to be the backbone of any business, then how would you predict the effects of technology on your business in the next 10 years?

Well. I think it is going to have a major effect. In fact, the technology is going to transform the whole of the printing industry and take it to a new level and this has not happened in the last 500 years.

14. You are a successful entrepreneur and with this expertise, what would you suggest to others to make the best use of their time?
I would suggest them to be genuine and put an honest effort without thinking about success or failure.

15.‘To grow beyond stars’ is something that literally everyone wants for their business, but can you just tell me about your near future business goals?

Well, for me, my near future goals are sustaining the momentum and settling in with future technology as it evolves.

 16.Your business clients are the ones giving bread and butter to you. In this context, have you turned down any of your clients?

Yes. I have turned down a few of them sometimes due to genuine reasons and unavoidable circumstances.

17. Now that you are successful and happy, would you like to be a mentor and give a single success mantra for the newbies in your field?

“When the window of opportunity is open, that’s when you work twice as hard”, this would be my success mantra for newbies.

Raja Watwe

Entrepreneur, Raja Watwe Associates

http://www.rajawatweassociates.com/

1) What made you take the leap into entrepreneurship?

Weaker economic family background and ambition to earn lots of money.

2) What were the biggest initial hurdles to building your business and how did you overcome them?

Middle class family background could not get any jobs around.no financial support.
Worked in Raheja Builders in Bombay.as coordination in charge for customers ..came in touch with new flat owners and started doing small interior jobs .slowly slowly build business.

3) Did you ever deal with contention from your family concerning your entrepreneurial pursuits? How did you handle it?

Very much.as I started sowing them my income they thought I am in some illegal business like smuggling. Slowly they understood. I being first entrepreneur in entire clan.they wanted to know how much I get on 1st of every month.

4) What was your business’ mission? How has that mission evolved in the time since?

To give creative designs and ethical practice. And reliable service.
We have grown leaps and bounds.

5) Do you prefer to pursue funding or build organically, and why?

Build organically. I like to be my own master. No body should detect terms to me.

6) Did you have major competitors when you started, how did you plan to compete with them, and how did that plan play out?

Office I had many competitors. I won over them by quality designs personal service.

7) How do you facilitate a positive work environment that attracts and retains talent?

My personal aura,,respect to others , transparency and autonomy.

8) How did you build a consumer culture around your product/Service?

By creating Raja watwe brand.by giving them new lifestyle and a new identity in society.

9) What would you say was the single most influential factor in your business’ success?

My personal charm and new designs

10) What is the biggest mistake you’ve made as an entrepreneur?

Taking client for granted and thinking I am the best.

11) What has been your greatest moment of success?

When someone says looking at my work .,, how did you imagined this before hand.

12) What do you do to recharge when you’re feeling drained?

I don’t get drained. Every night sleep and morning exegesis is good enough.

13) How do you approach marketing your business?

Never needed one.been facing problem how to cope up with overload

14) How do you believe evolving technology will impact the way we do business over the next 10 years?

It will in so many ways.we need to adapt .

15) What 3 books would you recommend that every entrepreneur read?

Autobiography of-
1) Lee icoca.
2).ikio morita
3) Dale carnegie s he to make friends and stop worring and start living

16) What are some strategies that you would recommend for making the best use of one’s time?

Be updated…Be social give enough time for health of body and mind of you and your near one’s

17) What made you choose your current location?

My customer niche

18) What’s your company’s goals?

Best in my profession.

19) Have you ever turned down a client?

Yes.many times.

20) If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?

Be different. Master your profession. Never think u know everything. Do not refuse single job.chain of mouth to mouth publicity only brings clients.be ethical.