Parikha Mehta of Parikha Mehta Photography
This interview is part of the Lady Boss Co-Host Series
Editorial and lifestyle photographer Parikha Mehta is co-hosting the March 2017 edition of Lady Boss at Chhaya Café in Philadelphia.
Get tix here.
Let's get to know her
Q: What's your current guilty pleasure?
A: Trader Joe's chocolate coconut almonds
Q: What are you listening to lately?
A: Carseat Headrest, Angel Olson, Future Islands, Sleater-Kinney, Real Estate (but also Sia's "Cheap Thrills")
Q: What's your favorite app or resource of the moment?
A: I don't use apps for my business much, but I do love playing a couple rounds of Super Mario Run when I need a quick mental break from work. [Editor's note: heck yes for Super Mario!]
Q: Who are you crushing on?
Q: Current mantra (or phrase, or Affirmation...)?
A: I'm a reformed perfectionist, so I say "done is better than perfect" to myself a lot.
Parikha and her boys.
Occasionette, photographed by Parikha
What makes her a boss
Q: Tell us about your business.
A: I'm a lifestyle & editorial photographer, which mostly means that I shoot storytelling sessions for young families and small businesses (often creative professionals). I'm a busy mom of two, with another full-time career, so I'm really passionate about making these little visual time capsules for other families because I understand firsthand the value of being able to freeze at least a little slice of that lovely chaos before it evolves into the next stage. With my editorial work, I help small businesses show the human element behind the product or service they provide. So much hard work and dedication goes on unnoticed behind the scenes, but those stories are so compelling and they really do deserve to be told.
Q: What accomplishment are you celebrating right now?
A: Getting published a few times last year was exciting; seeing my work take a new, tangible life as part of something bigger was great. I was also recently able to use photography to raise money for some causes that are important to me. Being able to send help to others in need by doing something I love doing anyway gave me a renewed sense of purpose and motivation.
Q: What keeps you motivated?
A: Photography exercises a very different part of my brain compared to what I do at my day job; it brings me balance, and also provides new ways for me to challenge myself. I shoot for myself often, but I also shoot for others because I really enjoy connecting with and getting to know the people I photograph. I take the privilege and responsibility of telling another person's story seriously. Knowing that I helped someone hold onto and give voice to something that's meaningful to them makes my day.
Q: What's one tip you want to share with other entrepreneurs?
A: Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. Do make sure you're still having fun. Sorry, that was two.
Q: Why should others join us for lady boss?
A: Many of us work solo 99% of the time, but sometimes you just need a supportive and reliable sounding board to figure something out, or to help you feel less alone in your struggles. Lady Boss is that sounding board. Even if you don't have a major question, there's always something useful to learn from what the other ladies are asking. Plus, you'll meet some super nice people who all get you. That alone is pretty amazing.
Makers at work, photographed by Parikha
Storytelling photography by Parikha
Connect with her: Website // Instagram
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Lifestyle photography by Parikha