Today we’d like to introduce you to Lina Bhambhani.
Lina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I was in undergrad, I was jumping between passions, but taking general classes to pass undergrad was not opening doors for me. So, I decided to go to a community college parallel to my undergrad education. I went to Mount San Antonio College in Walnut. There I found a class that was called Photography. I thought it may be worth a shot to take these classes. That’s when I learned how to use an analog camera and develop them in a black room. I loved this way of doing pictures because it was just you and the photo itself watching it getting developed in chemicals. After learning the basics of developing photos, we went to digital. Eventually, I took these skills to my undergrad education and changed my major from Vetenarian to Communications where my skill for photography flowed.
I started professionally being a photographer in my undergrad. I went to California, State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and the journalism department hired me on as a photographer. I enjoyed taking pictures for the paper and most of the time my pictures were published. This job helped me realize my passion for photography and within in the year I decided to buy my first Canon Rebel T3I, which I still use today. I started being the photographer for family events and extracurricular activities within the school. Eventually, I used my skills in photography with various non-profits and internships such as at Second Harvest Food Bank for Orange County, Tribune (KTLA), Clear Channel (Kost 103.5 and Wild 94.9), and Women’s International Music Network (WiMN).
After I graduated, I started my own side business called Pixels To Perfection. My business is just a word of mouth, if someone likes my work, they will contact me to either do engagement photos, pregnancy photos, graduations, or just profile pictures. I mainly like to travel and take pictures, but I do all kinds. Regardless, I enjoy capturing all moments and if possibly, hopefully, land a dream job in it.
My pictures have not been edited much and are posted in the most natural form and that’s how I like to take pictures. I do not use any programs to edit them unless otherwise asked.
In the end, my side business is for fun and a passionate hobby to make a few extra bucks.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My business has not been a smooth road because I am not as busy, but I am okay with it since I do have full-time job.
Another issue is not all customers will be satisfied, so I get a few that get upset with the photos I have taken but I have great clients that support otherwise.
I am better with couple, profile, and or product pictures. If I have a group, for one person it is hard to take pictures for everyone at the same time. I am one-man show.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My photography is not too different from others, but I like to specialize in photos of couples because their love spreads to me through the lens. I enjoy the charismatic love between a couple that is hard for me to find as a single gal, but with others’ love, my passion for photography becomes stronger.
I love taking photos when I am traveling too, though I do not take my professional camera, I just use my iPhone, but I try my best to get amazing shots to post on my Instagram. I would also eventually want my pictures posted in a gallery to sell them.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Volunteering for non-profit events, and messaging other photographers to work for them has worked in the past as well.
Pricing:
- $300 Profile and Product Pictures
- More than 1 – Couple Photos $400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pixelstoperfection.wixsite.com/pixels-to-perfection
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PixelstoPerfection/?__coig_restricted=1
Image Credits
Creative glasses
Joshua Tree Coffee House
