Depression is a real thing and this is what helped me heal | Portrait Photography by Sujata Setia

As a photographer whose work has been published globally and who often finds herself in the public eye, it was not easy for me to acknowledge that I was once battling depression. 

I moved to the UK following my marriage with my loving husband Sumeet in September 2009. Back in India, I was a well known radio presenter whose voice you could hear every morning, blasting through radio sets across 42 cities. Banners with my face plastered on them were standing tall everywhere. 

And with all that confidence comfortably tucked in my suitcase, I moved to the UK after marriage. For the next five years I knocked on every door to even get an internship, let alone a job. But rejections became something like morning coffee… I woke up to them.

I lost all hope… went into a severe clinical depression and amidst all this my beautiful daughter came into our lives. The only thing that ever gave me joy was to take photos of her. Without any formal training in photography at all, I just somehow found my creative rhythm. I started photographing Aayat with our dog Mustang and just created image after image after image of them together and soon it turned into an entire series of Portrait Photography. 

From there my journey of becoming a photographer started…

I call myself an “Accidental photographer” because really… that’s a profession, I never remotely imagined I would have anything at all to do with. I taught myself how to take good pictures but it wasn’t reaching the right audiences. No one was looking at my photos. I was shy to share them; to talk about them; to be my own “evangelist”.

Until one day, when I sat down and promised myself, never again to feel scared of sharing my work… accepting that some people will like it and some won’t… being ok! with that rejection was so important for me to become a better business person, to the point that I have now, in a span of 7 years, traveled over 20 countries and taught photography and the “Business of Creativity” to more than 3000 students … many, many more are subscribed to my online courses and life is yet again… a beautiful journey that I am truly excited about waking up to each morning.

I just wanted to share this story here. I want you to know why I am in this business. For me, it is not just about taking photos. I capture stories. I capture emotions. I make sure when you come over to my home studio for a Portrait Photography, family photoshoot or a baby photoshoot or even pregnancy photoshoot, I will be there to take care of you and your memories for life. I will be the safe-keeper. The trustee to your life’s most precious moments… because I care.

Also, check out my another interesting blog: Natural light portrait photography images I created here in UK and all over the world

 

About Me:

Hi! My name is Sujata Setia from But Natural Photography. I’m based in the UK. I’m a professional photographer and have won many awards for what I do. I have also been teaching the art of photography for more than 8 years now. Some of my recognition includes being published in Forbes, The Daily Mail and, Vanity Fair amongst others. The journey with my camera started when I had my daughter Aayat, and I have never put it down since. It helps me to capture the right moment so you can cherish it forever, and my services to deliver perfection to you knows no bounds, no distance, and no obstacles. People come to me to make a pitstop of their life a milestone so I’m willing to dedicate the time and effort it takes to understand the very essence of the family; to make every moment I capture is timeless.