We recently connected with Pratik Parulekar and have shared our conversation below.

Pratik, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style. Do you have an interesting story from that stage of your career that you can share with us?

While pursuing my MFA in the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, I had opted to do an internship at Eschliman Studio, by far one of the most reputable studios on the West Coast. As an intern I got hands-on experience in the commercial photo industry.The key takeaway I learned during this internship was the importance of meticulous preparation in the pre production stage of a project. Working with Dwight has taught me adaptability and creative problem-solving in photography. It underscored the importance of attention to detail, meticulous preparation, and the ability to think on your feet when faced with unexpected challenges—a skill set that has proven invaluable throughout my career. One of the most valuable lessons I learned from Dwight was the art of lighting. He demonstrated how different lighting setups could accentuate textures, create shadows for depth, and highlight key features of the products. I observed firsthand how precise lighting could transform ordinary objects into visually compelling images that captivated viewers.

The lessons I learned from this experience are profound: Listening and empathy are as crucial in photography as technical skills. Dwight’s ability to empathize with the client’s vision, understand their perspective, and adapt the creative process accordingly strengthened the client’s trust in the studio’s capabilities.

As I reflect on this internship experience, Dwight’s mentorship has shaped my approach to photography and client relations. It taught me the importance of fostering open communication, actively listening to clients’ needs, and using empathy to create meaningful and impactful photography. These principles continue to guide my work today, ensuring that every client collaboration is a collaborative and fulfilling experience.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Pratik, the creative force behind Pratik Parulekar Photography. My journey into the world of photography began with a deep passion for storytelling and a fascination with capturing still life objects. Growing up, I was always drawn to the arts, whether it was painting, drawing, or simply observing the world around me. However, it wasn’t until I picked up photography as an elective subject while I was pursuing my BFA in commercialArt..

My entry into the photography industry was inspired by the transition from still life drawing to still life photography. I started out taking photos of objects for college assignments which eventually evolved into a professional pursuit. I pursued formal education and training in photography, specializing in commercial and product photography techniques. This education equipped me with a solid foundation in both technical skills and creative vision, preparing me to enter the competitive world of commercial photography.

I specialize in creating compelling images that showcase the features, details, and unique selling points of products where goal is to make products stand out and attract customers. From promotional campaigns to marketing materials, we create impactful visual content that effectively communicates a brand’s message and values.
I help businesses enhance their brand image through high-quality photography that aligns with their brand aesthetics and values. My product photography is designed to showcase products in the best possible light, enticing customers and driving sales.

My dedication to delivering exceptional results and our commitment to personalized service sets me apart.
I approach each project with a creative eye and a focus on storytelling, ensuring that my images not only capture products but also evoke emotions and tell a compelling narrative. I prioritize understanding my clients’ needs and goals, tailoring my services to meet their specific requirements and ensuring a smooth and collaborative process from start to finish.

I am most proud of the long-lasting relationships I’ve built with clients and the positive impact my photography has had on their businesses. From helping startups launch successful products to assisting established brands in redefining their visual identity, every project is a testament to our passion for excellence and creativity. My work has been featured in various blogs, magazines ad campaigns and a few exhibitions in the US, and I’ve had the privilege of working with some amazing clients who have trusted me to capture their products in their truest form.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Art History has a lot to do with my philosophy about photography. I have spent a lot of hours on youtube watching key periods of art and its history. I would like to say I have picked up a few points from the art moments. Notable
Baroque, which is known for its dramatic use of light and shadow, dynamic compositions, and emotional intensity. Impressionism, where the focus on capturing the fleeting effects of light and color inspires meto experiment with lighting and atmospheric conditions. Modernism, which has introduced new ways of seeing and representing the world, often breaking away from traditional forms and perspectives. Movements like Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism encourage me to explore abstract compositions, unconventional angles, and experimental techniques.Surrealism inspires me to use symbolism and metaphor in my work to add deeper meanings and hidden messages.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect can vary greatly, but one of the most fulfilling aspects for me is the ability for self-expression. The ability to communicate personal thoughts, emotions, and experiences through art is immensely fulfilling. The freedom to explore ideas, experiment with different techniques, and push creative boundaries is a significant part of being an artist

Science is an intellectual effort to understand one’s nature, art is an emotional effort to understand one’s nature.
Belonging to the second category of people is my most rewarding aspect of being an artist. The people of the heart—the painters, the poets, the musicians, the dancers, the actors. The real artist has always known that the moment people start thinking about him that he is a little bit off center, that something is loose in his head, he should rejoice that he has crossed the boundary of the mundane and the mediocre. Now he has grown wings which others don’t have. For example if you create some poetry, you can create absolutely according to the rules of the poetics, there may not be a single error in it – but it will not be poetry. The grammar may be perfect, the language absolutely right, the rhythm, the meter – and everything okay but it will be just like a dead body; everything perfect, but the body dead. No soul in it. You are not a poet, you may be a technician. The artist has to live in rebellion, because creativity is the greatest rebellion in existence. If you want to create you have to get rid of all conditionings, otherwise your creativity will be nothing but copying, it will be just a carbon copy. You can be creative only if you are an individual. Hence I feel self discovery of an artist is unending.

I feel Picasso symbolizes the whole of contemporary art. He is the most representative modern artist. He is right, in a sense, because the world makes no sense. The world has never made any sense, but there have been people who created such art that it helped people to find some sense in a senseless world. And that finding of sense helps you tremendously to become centered and that is the real reward of art: helping people to commune with oneself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pratikparulekar.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pratik.parulekar
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• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pratik-parulekar-3a7547122/
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Image Credits

– Photography Styling : Bessie Lacap