It's one thing to have the courage to pursue your passion and another thing altogether to encourage others to pursue their passion fearlessly too. When photographer Richa Maheshwari understood that her heart lies in photography while in the fourth year of pursuing Fashion Communication at NIFT, Delhi, she went on to start Richa Maheshwari Films and Photography in 2010. But that's not all there is to her. She has visited 42 countries till date, is a TEDx speaker, has made it into the Limca Book of Records for doing the maximum number of burpees (a full-body exercise) in one minute and lately, has been teaching photography to the visually challenged at National Association for the Blind (NAB), New Delhi as well.
"I have always believed that as much as you move forward, that much you need to give back to the society. I have done a lot of commercial work and this is my way of giving back to my roots," says Richa, speaking about her personal project, which is teaching kids at NAB. She got a few point-and-shoot cameras sponsored for the kids, gives them lessons on the basics of photography and then, encourages them to go wild with their imagination. "They visualise things differently from us and have an entirely different spectrum in their head," says the 30-year-old about teaching the visually impaired. So what did she learn while teaching? "They are so patient and happy with what they have. I have also learnt positivity from them," shares Richa, who was born in Kanpur.
When it comes to the future, Richa dreams of expanding her brand to other countries as well. "I am someone who doesn't make long-term goals, I'd rather make short-term ones and concentrate on fulfilling them," she shares. Apart from this, she is determined to make the most of her life and ensure that she helps others along the way as well.
That one time
There is one instance she shares of how a kid, after being reprimanded for not scoring well, said that it won't be a good idea to underestimate him as he is a 'Dark Knight', someone who can work hard with or without the light. That's a dose of inspiration right there!
For more on her, richamaheshwari.com
