Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiran Desai.
Hi Kiran, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My first interest in photography and videography started when I was 13. I was inspired by all these travel youtube vloggers who would make cool travel videos and post them on YouTube. So when I was younger, whenever I would take a trip with my family, I would make a travel video for it. As I got older, I became interested in sports photography/videography. I started reaching out to different sports companies online and found a gig to shoot professional lacrosse for a sports company in Boca Raton, Florida, when I was 15. It was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot. When the season ended, I got bored and wanted to try something new. I started to come across these photographers who would shoot for musicians, artists, and rappers, and I decided that’s what I wanted to do. I began to sneak into small concerts and venues and find myself backstage with different promoters, talent, and managers. I would network with all these people and keep shooting shows in Miami, Florida. I eventually was able to shoot at some of the biggest festivals in the world, like Rolling Loud and Lollapalooza, and shoot for some of the biggest artists in the world, like The Strokes, Future, and Playboi Carti. I now regularly work with people and artists in the music industry and regularly shoot these festivals. I graduated Highschool last year and am now living in NYC, still shooting.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My age was one of the biggest struggles I dealt with while starting out. I wanted to shoot all these shows and artists, but many venues and events were 18+. Meanwhile, I was 15 trying to finesse into these places. Many people also didn’t take me seriously due to my young age. However, my age was a blessing and a curse, as many people did like me better because of it. But in general, my age was a huge obstacle. It also made it hard for me to travel across states for different shoots, as most hotels wouldn’t let anyone stay under 18, even when an adult booked the room. Additionally, balancing school with my passion was a struggle. I went to a very competitive high school that was academically challenging, so balancing them was a struggle.
Please tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others.
I specialize primarily in photography and videography. I shoot digitally and on film. I am proud that I have that creative range, which makes me more versatile when getting hired for different shoots. I am most proud of getting the opportunity to shoot some of my favorite artists. It is the most fantastic feeling in the world to get a call/text to go somewhere to work directly with them.
One thing that sets me apart from the others is my hustle. I would sit down and send cold emails/DMs asking to shoot different events and activities out of pure ambition. Additionally, getting invited to document the trendsetters of today’s world and culture is extremely rare and the most incredible opportunity.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
An important lesson I’ve learned is never to give up, no matter what. Persistence and grit are indeed two qualities that you must forgo to achieve what you want.
Contact Info:
- Website: kirandesaicreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kdxcreative/
Image Credits
The main image was photographed by Julio Guzman, his Instagram is @hungryandconfused
