My First Paid Shoot in 1983 – The Fear, The Lesson & The Turning Point

 

## **My First Paid Shoot – The Truth Behind the Confidence**

There’s always a “first” that shapes you.

Mine came in early 1983… and it didn’t come gently.

A senior officer from the **Public Works Department (PWD)** approached my father to photograph a newly built institute. The brief was simple — documentation with a touch of creativity. The budget, as expected from a government project, wasn’t exactly generous.

Dad agreed.

But he had something else in mind… something I didn’t see coming.

Instead of taking up the assignment himself, he decided to send **me** — a complete novice.

Not because of the budget.

Not because there was no choice.

But because he believed **this was my moment to be pushed into the deep end.**

That was his style. Sudden. Unannounced. Uncomfortable.

And, as I later realized — priceless.

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### **The Night Before – Fear Meets Determination**

The shoot was scheduled for the very next day.

I remember sweating… not because of the heat, but because of fear. Real fear. The kind that makes you question everything you think you know.

But somewhere inside, a voice said:

*“You cannot fail. Not this time.”*

That night, I pulled out one of my most treasured possessions — a book I had bought for ₹100 from a footpath stall:

**The Encyclopedia of Photography.**

It was magical.

From shooting a pin… to capturing the moon… it had answers to everything. And that night, it became my teacher.

I didn’t sleep.

I studied architecture photography like my life depended on it — angles, lighting, framing, indoor vs outdoor challenges… all with the only gear I had:

a **Pentax MX**, with a **50mm** and a **24mm lens**.

By morning, something had changed.

The fear was still there…

but now it was standing next to confidence.

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### **The Shoot – From Panic to Purpose**

When the car arrived to pick me up from the studio, I wasn’t the same nervous boy anymore.

I was ready.

The location had around 8–10 buildings — each one different in structure, texture, and personality. And each demanded a different approach.

This was no textbook exercise anymore.

This was real.

I experimented.

I explored angles.

I observed light like never before.

I shot variations — far more than what was actually required.

At that time, I wasn’t thinking of “delivering the job.”

I was thinking of **not missing a single opportunity.**

---

### **The Result – More Than Just Approval**

When the proofs were ready, the client didn’t just approve the work…

He selected **everything**.

Every variation. Every angle. Every frame.

That moment… was magic.

But even more important was what came next.

My father — a man of very few words — was happy.

And that silent approval…

was my real award.

My first **PAT on the back.**

---

### **The Aftermath – When One Opportunity Becomes Many**

That one assignment didn’t just end there.

It opened doors.

The same officer, wherever he was transferred, continued to call me for assignments. And this time — he paid well.

What started as a test…

became a turning point.

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### **The Real Lesson**

Looking back today, I realize:

It wasn’t about the camera.

It wasn’t about the lenses.

It wasn’t even about the client.

It was about:

* Being thrown into the unknown

* Choosing courage over comfort

* Preparing when nobody is watching

* And delivering more than expected

That’s where confidence is born.

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### **Final Thought**

Your first opportunity may not come perfectly planned.

It may come suddenly.

Unexpectedly.

Even unfairly.

But if you **show up prepared**…

and **give more than what is asked**…

That one moment can define your entire journey.

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**And sometimes… all it takes is one ₹100 book… and one brave decision.**

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