Who said you can wear one hat at a time, meet Dr. Namrata Rupani, a dental surgeon and an accomplished Photographer. Yes, you heard it right, two completely different fields to swim in but she has found the secret.
Dr. Namrata Rupani upgraded her hobby of photography to a profession. Camera has been a companion for her for almost a decade now. She has been professionally shooting for 7 years now.
In order to explore her talent and to know more about her inner self, we sat down with Dr. Namrata Rupani, Founder & CEO, Capture Life Dental Care, and dived into a deep conversation with her.
The dentist turned photographer, Dr. Namrata Rupani you have mastered some of the very diverse domains, how has your journey been so far?
Starting Capture Life Pvt Ltd was not an easy task. It encompasses three different business verticals that are very close to my heart: dentistry, photography, and fine printing solutions. However, amalgamating these under one umbrella was a great decision. When I started this company, there were many ups and downs. Being an entrepreneur is hard enough but handling three different business verticals was a strenuous job. It took me some time to lay the groundwork for all three of these. I also had to manage my time effectively to ensure that I was able to give each of these businesses the appropriate amount of time and attention. However, running this business has been one of the most satisfying things. Today, they all have grown and matured to function independently, and I am continuing to explore other avenues to keep the business growing.
You have a lot of feathers in your hat, very keen to know, how did you gain an interest in photography?
In the year 2003, health conditions led to me taking a break from dentistry. This period of time was when I started giving more time to photography. I always loved capturing old monuments, wildlife, sunrises, and sunsets but it was during this time that I was able to nurture my skills in capturing the beauty of everything around me. I allowed myself to explore various angles and dimensions of photography and experiment with different depths and hues of capturing the essence of a subject. Ever since then, my love for photography has only grown.
As you have mentioned in many of your interviews, you have questioned yourself before and after getting that tattoo on your wrist, ‘Capture Life’, what does that actually mean to you?
Capture Life Pvt Ltd was started as an amalgamation of three of my business verticals. Every single one of them is close to my heart. When I initially started this business, not everyone supported my decision. But I knew this was the right step for me. For me, capturing life is all about taking chances and living your life to the fullest. For me, it means not worrying about what people say but being focused on growing and developing yourself to make the most of your life. One needs to have a zest for life to really capture it.
You have been featured by Fearless Photographers India, a forum that highlights the work of the best wedding photographers from across the world. How did you feel about that?
I feel privileged to have been featured by Fearless Photographers India. I have always believed that photography can change lives. I always yearned to stretch out to explore the rawness of emotions through photography. I am always curious to experiment with different subjects and integrate innovation in capturing the special moments in someone’s life. Photography can bring any moment to life and, simultaneously, has the power to transport us back to those moments. I am elated to have Fearless Photographer India recognize my work. It was one of those moments that encouraged me to keep pursuing my passion and diversifying my subjects.
Tell us more about your first solo exhibition.
Intrigued by old architecture, old buildings were always one of my favorite facets to capture. These were the subject of my first solo exhibition called ‘Stories in Stone’ at the Goethe Zentrum in Hyderabad. As it is rightly quoted, “Beauty perishes in life, but is immortal in art”. The exhibition was an ode to the value engraved in the stones in these old monuments and the stories that are etched in these architectural monuments. It reflected the grandeur of the stone that still remains tall through the years and seasons. The stillness of the stones always charmed me and through this spectacle, I have tried my best to frame the plethora of stories of grand old monuments. The tales of love and war and timelessness had been my core focus with this exhibition.
Being an entrepreneur, a dentist-turned-photographer, how do you actually manage your work?
‘Capture Life Pvt Ltd’ is an amalgamation of a dentistry practice, photography business, and fine art printing solutions vertical. Exploring diverse domains, I have strived hard to balance these verticals. Managing all three of these businesses was arduous at the start but with patience, dedication, and hard work, I was able to grow each of these verticals. It taught me the importance of time management. It was a task to manage time when I started but over time, I found the right rhythm to ensure each of these businesses grew. I also had an incredible team supporting me as I figured out the right tools and techniques for running my business. I believe that with resilience and hard work, no goal is too big to achieve.
Tell us about your favorite pictures, that you are proud of?
I truly believe that photography is about your perspective and ability to give life to special moments and grandeur spaces. I have already shot over 100 weddings, portraits, and events. Every picture I take represents a cherished memory. I am not afraid of exploring different spheres, depths, and angles in photography. It is essential to capture those little moments that slip away in seconds so people can relive those moments in the future.
One of my few best shots would be those of old architecture and wildlife. Wedding shoots are also very close to my heart. These events allow me to be a part of so many beautiful intricate moments and ceremonies.
One of the most important and beautiful moments in my life when it comes to photography is my trip to St. Moritz in Switzerland. I had traveled there with a basic digital camera and with no formal training in photography. I recall being so mesmerized by all the beauty that Switzerland had to offer. I wanted to capture all of it. Those mountains and landscapes inspired me to pick up that camera more often and build something in photography.
Your message to the younger generation who are willing to pursue their career in photography.
I have always followed my passion and I would encourage the younger generation to do the same. Every dream and goal will have its fair set of challenges. Learn to take every challenge as an opportunity. Learn and read as much as you can because knowledge is priceless and comes in handy at times you least expect it to. The more you learn, the better you become at your job. There will always be risks in entrepreneurship but learn to be calm and have a clear focus on your goals. Be resilient in the face of adversities and be persistent in tough times. Learn to focus on growing your talents and skills and make the most of every moment and every opportunity. Learn the art of capturing life.
