We were lucky to catch up with Tarun Parmar recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tarun, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
It took me years to build my self-esteem and confidence. Through trial and error, I learned to believe in myself. My dream was always to become the best version of myself without comparing to others. As a photographer, I faced numerous failures, but I saw them as opportunities for growth. With each mistake, I learned and improved, gradually building my confidence and self-esteem.
Not long ago, I struggled to speak in front of just 10 people at a seminar. Today, I can confidently address an audience of 100, all because of the confidence I’ve built. However, I recognize that learning and growing is a continuous process. As a photographer, I am still on that journey, constantly striving to improve and strengthen my self-esteem.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Tarun Parmar is a portrait and documentary photographer based in New York City. Originally from India, Tarun brings a unique perspective to his work, drawing on the vibrant colors and rich cultural heritage of his home country while embracing the dynamic energy and diversity of his adopted city.
With over 6 years of experience as a professional photographer in India, Tarun developed a keen eye for capturing authentic moments and emotions with his clients. Whether making portraits or documenting a personal project, Tarun creates images both beautiful and meaningful, capturing the essence of the people and places he photographs.
While receiving the One-Year Conservatory Certificate at New York Film Academy, Tarun explored various lighting techniques, developing a keen eye for capturing the unique qualities that make all of us special. Whether shooting projects in India, Vietnam and New York City or collaborating with models and clients, Tarun brings a fresh perspective and creative approach to each session. Driven by the love of capturing the beauty and individuality of his subjects, Tarun continues to explore new opportunities for personal and creative growth with his work.
In his latest work of the ‘Celebrating Humans’ and ‘Mental Health’ project, he showed how he connects himself with human emotions.
The former focuses on Vitiligo, aiming to challenge conventional beauty standards and celebrate the diversity of human bodies. Each photograph captures the unique beauty and strength of the subject, who bravely share their personal story while challenging stereotypes about beauty and perfection. By documenting the lived experiences of those with vitiligo, he sheds light on this condition and its impact on individuals and society as a whole.
On the other hand, the latter project focuses on Mental Health, where he photographs people who are open to speaking about the problems they have been facing in their lives. What seems to be changing is that the stigma around it is slowly being eradicated, and in general, people feel more at ease in talking about it, particularly depression and anxiety. The intangibility of one’s mental state is showcased using different tangible elements. Light, water, texture, color, movement, and smoke are the elements that were used to capture their emotions.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Reflecting on my journey as a creative photographer, I’ve realized three key factors that have been crucial to my growth.
Firstly, finding your niche is essential. This could be anything that draws your interest. For example, I love connecting with humans. So, whether I’m working on street photography, fashion shoots, or lifestyle projects, I always try to incorporate the human element. It’s this connection that fuels my creativity.
Secondly, technical skills, while they may seem straightforward, are a mystery to master. As a photographer, it’s important to keep learning all the time, constantly honing your technical abilities.
Lastly, the quality of never giving up on something you believe in is of utmost importance. This determination keeps you thinking outside the box and ensures that your vision will be appreciated by everyone.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
The past 12 months have been a period of significant growth for me, particularly in connecting with new people from the event industry. I had the opportunity to capture photographs of celebrities who visited New York City, fulfilling a long-held dream of mine. Additionally, I secured my first New York Fashion Week project as a photographer.
Beyond my professional achievements, I’ve also been focusing on personal growth, both mentally and physically. I’ve come to realize the importance of maintaining focus as an artist, and this journey of self-improvement has been invaluable to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.parmartarun.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tales_of_vagabond
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trunparmar
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trunparmar/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/parmartarun815
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tales_of_vagabond
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