Meet Kapu Patel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kapu Patel.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Sitting crossed legged with arms in Anjali mudra, I hear the voice of my Yoga instructor Arthur Ashe once said: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can”

Just a week later, my home state of New Jersey got hit with hurricane Sandy. After the initial outpouring of food, water and clothing were done, I wanted to help with money. What I had was the will, a camera and a desire to do what I could. I offered my passion for photography for family portraits in exchange for donations to a Sandy Charity of Choice. And KapuPatel Photography was born. Since its inception, I have been fortunate to be able to do what I love while supporting a different charity with each program.

After hanging up my Pharmaceutical Research lab-coat part time, I became a perpetual student, learning my way through the ever-changing world of digital photography. I love the art of photography and digital media enough to make myself a lifelong learner. I continue to expand my learning through classes at Creative Live and my women’s portraiture work is fed by Sue Bryce, the imminent women’s photographers Education Portal. My practice of Yoga, current Yoga Teacher Training and attendance at Yoga photography workshops (It was an honor to take one with Robert Sturman) helps make a deeper connection with my Yogi clients. I love capturing the beauty of my natural surroundings and use those photos for supporting local charitable causes.

Please tell us about your art.
I empower people through portraits. To exist in a portrait that captures our true essence is a gift that give not only ourselves but to those that love us. A legacy portrait that outlives us is what I create.

In today’s cellphone selfie generation, we exist in digital mediums in many ways yet most of those are impermanent, transient and disappear as rapidly as we take them. I create legacy printed portraits for my clients that captures their true essence. Ninety percent of my creativity in making sure my subjects forget there is a camera between us. The rest is just technical aspects.

My message is that each one of us is beautiful when we shine from within. I chose the lotus as my logo to signify how each one of us can rise to faultless beauty from our perfectly imperfect environment. Just like the lotus flower proudly turns its face to the sun with its roots extending firmly into the mud, within each human exists the spirit of the sacred lotus, which represents the individual’s eternity, purity, divinity and beauty.

Your lotus emanates your radiant light, your beauty as seen by all those who love you! My path and passion are to capture that radiant light in each individual. I recently launched the YouShine Movement, the first phase of which is the Face Campaign. https://princetonchamber.org/launching-the-face-campaign-photographs-of-confidence/. As a socially conscious business, we strive to offer that opportunity to many who cannot or may not see light within themselves.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
We are in a wonderful era where we have the tools to make sure our art form reaches more people than ever. Yet those same digital tools make everything very commonplace. Easy to copy and mass produce. There is a lack of understanding in what it takes create art. As a photographer my challenges are quite different than most artist. We face copyright challenges all the time.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am currently exhibiting my work at NRG Energy in Princeton, NJ and looking to bring it to the Boston area.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kapupatelphotography.com
• Email: kapu@kapupatelphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kapupatelphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kapupatelphotography/

Image Credit:
Kapu Patel Photography

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