We recently connected with Neha Gautam and have shared our conversation below.

Neha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back on your career, have you ever worked with a great leader or boss? We’d love to hear about the experience and what you think made them such a great leader.

I freelance for a number of non-profits and foundations doing still photography as well as videography and video work. Once I had a client, technically a boss who was managing my work who told me off the record that I was not charging the organization enough. She told me that I didn’t take myself seriously and that I could charge more and that men doing the same quality work were charging more and that I should too. This changed how I thought of myself. I realized that I am worth the investment and that my clients can and will pay for my services. This same person also has me on retainer now and sends gifts around New Years and Valentines day.

I have never had a client like this or an employer in my life that makes me feel so seen and important and it makes me want to tell other women who are starting their own businesses not to cut themselves short.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I identify as a storyteller. My work is to elevate the stories of others. I simply use video media to help people understand and empathize with others. The core of it is really thinking of what things we all want and need. I grew up in Queens, NYC in one of the most diverse zip codes of the world. Being an immigrant and traveling so much at a young age, I realized how much people struggle especially if they are from a marginalized community. If they are working class or immigrants. My neighborhood is a huge inspiration in my work. I am captivated by the beautiful array of people and stories that come with people. Stories of struggle, hope, loss and making new homes. I learned photography from my grandfather who used to have film cameras. I really loved looking at photos because it felt like they were portals in time and space. To capture moments that would live forever. A type of material memory. The amount of information in visual media did so much for me personally to help understand who I was, I became fascinated by documenting. I also studied history during my undergrad so it made sense that I saw a connection between visual media and documenting history.

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

The most rewarding thing about being a creative is the community you build. Every project connects you to different people who are passionate about different things. I love collaborating with people. I learn so much about others. I think it is truly a blessing to be able to do something I love but also connect to this world and each other. One of the beautiful things about being a visual storyteller is getting to listen to people. I think all inherently want to be seen and heard in life and I get to validate and acknowledge people through this work. It’s truly an emotional exchange and I feel blessed to be able to do it. It also takes a certain set of skills to be able to make sure people feel comfortable sharing with you otherwise they won’t be vulnerable and they won’t open up. Whether it be someone I’m interviewing, an actor I’m working with or a story I’m covering and I have to document an event like a direct action or protest. I’m thrusted into people’s worlds for a few hours or a day and in that time I have the opportunity to make something beautiful.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I wish people who are not creatives knew how hard this work is and understand why we charge what we charge. For many freelancers we don’t get the luxury of having stability through our work. We might get a big contract or job and then nothing for weeks. We have to pay out of our pocket for so many expenses that people who work a 9-5 don’t really realize. I know I am not the only one that has to break down why my rate is my rate. It’s because I have to pay for my insurance, my studio, my equipment, my software. That all is included in my rate. It’s not just the skill. It’s all the costs I internalize by just representing myself. Also, we are not guaranteed to be paid weekly or biweekly like most people. Sometimes I finish a job and don’t get paid for 4 week or more. That makes it hard to budget. In that time, I had to pay for rent and food etc. So it may sound like a lot of money to you when we give you a quote but in the end it isn’t. Also, we are worth our rate. If you want to support artists, pay them what they are worth.      

Contact Info:

• Website: nehgautamnyc.com
• Instagram: @resistandrise
• Other: @nehagautam_photography