The walls of her bedroom would be relentlessly decorated with pictures and collages, crazy/embarrassing moments and toothy smiles of friends and family. A camera in hand at all occasions, 15-year old Neha would fill up the ‘life’s ambition’ slot of memoir books with ‘photo journalist’ (there is proof). No doubt the best way to go about life, it’s natural that she developed this passion of hers int
o a profession. Armed with her very own Canon 5D mark III, Neha started clicking away with even more fervour, forming Yellow Umbrella photography, a former company shared with two other friends and very soon there was no looking back. Setting base in Delhi, the trio worked on an array of fashion photo stories, weddings and pre-weddings. book covers, kids and mommy-to-be, portraits, and gorgeous interior shoots, like the Sabhyasachi stores in Delhi and Hyderabad. YUP, as they were fondly known, also sunk their feet into video and handled camera for two films Offroad addicy and Khanna ki chutti for 48hour film project. At this time, Neha also worked independently and entered a photo contest in 2011 by Bring Home Stories, Delhi, and what’s more, she won first place! Neha’s work was also exhibited at the India Habitat Centre, Delhi, among the top ten best photos in a contest organised by the UN against violence on women. Neha’s own independent film, ‘Gay in Chandigarh’, based on the 2012 first-ever LGBTQ pride parade and community in Chandigarh, was shortlisted and the first to be screened at the opening of the Chennai international queer film festival and also screened at the prestigious McCormick Centre in association with North Western Universities Queer Pride Graduate Students Association. HOCUS FOCUS photography is now entirely Neha’s fun-loving baby. Friends put up with the tirade of recurring and new clients calling Neha at all times, scheduling dates. Probably the best thing about Neha’s “job” is her versatility and keen resourcefulness. She is known to manage multi-tasking with swift ease and beautifully present “submissions” to eager clients without a hitch. Neha’s independent journey has just started and it’s the firm belief of her friends and family that she will deliver the same ‘a photo speaks a thousand words’ moments to a multitude of others, the same that she grew up with, to look back on, laugh, cry and cherish in life’s long journey.
-Loving support group
