We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Raj Bose. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Raj below.

Raj, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I am lucky to born in a family of artists full of musicians, dancers, and photographers in India. I was a full-time musician for more than 10 years so you can imagine how creativity comes naturally to me. I immigrated to USA in 2002 and for the next 6 years I struggled to settle down in my new adopted country. During this time, I realized that I needed an avenue to express myself in order to feed my soul and give me a purpose in life. In 2008, I bought a Canon 50D DSLR camera and for the next 4 years, all I did was learning this craft. Luckily, having an engineering background really helped me understand the technical aspect of photography which includes post processing and how to efficiently use a DSLR camera which can be complicated at times. The actual “aha” moment came to me in 2012. I was pursuing MBA from University of Houston and had to visit Europe for a study abroad program. During that trip I took some amazing landscape images which my professors really liked. It was in fact my professors who encouraged me and gave me the idea to start my own photography company. I needed that push and the much-needed courage to be my own boss. Although it took me few more years to start my own company, it was that trip to Europe that rally triggered my creative journey in the world of photography.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In my previous question I’ve answered how I started my photography career, but I haven’t mentioned how my photography career took off since 2016. From 2012 to 2016, I started traveling internationally and I’ve been lucky enough to have traveled to some of the most iconic locations around the world. From the grand vistas of the National Parks in USA, the mighty Rocky Mountains in Canada, the rugged nature of Patagonia to seeing the magical northern lights in Norway, I’ve seen so much! I started documenting them and regularly posting photos with my editing style in social media through Instagram. As my followers in Instagram started increasing at an exponential rate, I was able to reach to so many people. across the globe. In 2017, I conducted my first workshop in Tuscany which is of the most beautiful locations in Italy. To my surprise I had almost 13 participants which a huge confidence booster for me. Ever since that, I’ve conducted workshops in Iceland, Croatia, Slovenia, Brazil, Argentina, and different location within USA like New York, San Francisco, Wisconsin Dells, and Houston. Following the success in social media, I got connected to numerous camera accessories companies. I am happy to announce that I am currently a brand ambassador for some of the best camera accessories brands in the industry which includes Haida Filters for world class filters, Fotopro for professional grade tripods, and F-stop for world class camera backpacks. Such associations have further solidified my brand image. In the last 10 years, the world of photography has changed forever because of digital cameras such as mobile phones and the importance of social media in our lives. Nowadays, everyone wants to take nice photos, whether it’s for travel or personal reasons, and post them on social media. This aspect of human behavior has dramatically changed the industry, and it is in this context that my expertise becomes relevant and valuable. During my workshops, I take participants to some of the world’s most iconic locations and teach them photography. Over the years, I’ve developed my own style of photographing and editing. It’s more akin to a photographic cookbook, where I provide successful recipes for amazing images. This is extremely powerful since it allows people to express themselves while also allowing them to build a portfolio and pursue photography professionally in some situations. What sets my workshops apart from others is that instead of merely teaching photography, I attempt to create a holistic experience. People enjoy stunning landscapes, fascinating food, amazing culture, and most importantly, spending time with like-minded people from all over the world. I have clients (who have become more like friends) who have attended many workshops, and some of them even accompanies me around pretty much everywhere I go !! Photography has given me so much and most importantly, it given me a sense of purpose in life.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

So far, my job as a photo instructor has been really fulfilling. Apart from the obvious pleasure of visiting some of the world’s most beautiful destinations, I really relish the opportunity to travel with an incredible group of individuals. Throughout my years of travel, I’ve seen that everyone in the workshop group is eager to share their knowledge with others. People simply appreciate traveling with people who share their interests. The beauty of it is that it allows you to be yourself. There is no fear of being judged, and this type of environment, curiously, fosters fantastic friendships. The most fulfilling aspect of being an artist is knowing that there are so many incredibly creative and intellectual people in our community who choose to attend my workshops and online classes and trust me to teach them the skill they need. It is this human connection that is most rewarding for me.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I‘m asked the same question virtually every day these days: “How do I gain more followers?” I realize the value of having a wide audience and a large following. But It does take a lot of effort to achieve that aim. In 2016, I began my Instagram journey. In fact, since becoming a professional photographer, that is the sole platform on which I have focused. Although I have a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, it pales in comparison to Instagram. Since 2016, I’ve been routinely publishing my finest travel images on Instagram, almost twice a week and since last 6 months I have been posting almost every other day. Every post included information on the location, sometimes behind-the-scenes details, and occasionally EXIF data (like exposure time, fstop value etc.). That takes time, but my readers benefit from my posts. People will start asking you questions about photography and the locales once you start doing that. So, here’s my first piece of advice: take high-quality photos and add value to each post.

My second piece of advice is to make advantage of all of the tools at your disposal to expand your reach. Almost every day, I use Instagram/Facebook stories, or Reels and IGTV. It’s also critical to use relevant hashtags (up to ten per post is excellent). My final piece of advice is to interact with your audience. Respond to their inquiries and like or remark on their posts on a frequent basis. One thing to keep in mind is that building an audience takes time, and you should never buy followers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rajbose.com
• Instagram: @rajbose_photography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rajbosephotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raj-bose-669457224
• Twitter: @Rajbose08

Image Credits
I have the rights