An only son, Takumeren, born and brought up in Mokokchung presently resides in Arkong Ward and pursues photography as a full time profession. He recounts his first experience with a camera at his uncle’s funeral with his dad’s old Yashica roll film camera when he was just in high school in 2006. Since then, he developed a passion for photography and engaged in leisure photography and would cover weddings, birthdays and other social events for free. Today, he is one of the more experienced and better known professional photographers in Mokokchung and is not uncommon to see him with his associates cover weddings and notable events in Mokokchung and beyond.
Mokokchung Times had a tête-à-tête with the man himself to know more about him and his profession.
MTimes – Hello Taku, thank you for your time. Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself?
Takumeren – Thank you for having me. Well, I am an only son who is fortunate enough to have a host of supportive family including my parents and three sisters and their wonderful families. I was born and brought up in Mokokchung and resides in Arkong Ward to this day and I am a photographer by profession.
MTimes – So, when and how did you start your journey as a photographer? Also, what or who inspired you to pursue the profession?
Takumeren – In 2006, when I was still in high school, an uncle of mine died and during the funeral, my dad asked me to take pictures using his old Yashica roll film camera. I remember how I struggled to adjust the lens and operate the camera but at the same time, I was intrigued with the device and I guess the seed was planted on that particular day. It was in 2011, when Missionary Lima Imsong took a few of us to Delhi for a conference, that I bought my first camera for Rs. 16,000 which was all the pocket money I had, eventually making brother Lima to buy my return ticket. It was with this camera that I started taking pictures for friends and family.
MTimes – Do you have any formal training in photography or any other form of art?
Takumeren – No, I do not have any formal training in photography and whatever I know, I learnt through YouTube tutorials and through experimentation. I received a semblance of training during a workshop organized by the MTBA in 2017 which benefited me a lot.
MTimes – Photography is quite an expensive hobby. How did you manage to convince your parents to invest in your gears?
Takumeren – Yes, the gears needed for pursuing photography is really expensive but I’m lucky that I have a really good support system in the form of my family. Though my parents did not have the required amount to invest in my initial gears, I took a loan of Rs. 4 lakh with their help from an acquaintance which was my initial investment. Though photography started as a hobby for me, I quickly realized that I wanted to devote myself full time to it and take it up professionally so the loan was necessary.
MTimes –What gear do you use? And which lens would you say is your current favourite?
Takumeren – At present, I use Nikon D750 full frame camera and various other lighting equipment. My favourite lens at the moment is 70-200 mm f2.8.
MTimes – What according to you are the skills needed to become a good photographer?
Takumeren – Photography is an art. So, definitely, one needs to have creativity, to see the unseen beauty in a mundane thing, to have an eye for details and to be able to present it in the most beautiful manner. Technical skills such as knowing how to operate the gears, understanding lighting, composition, shadow effects, exposure etc. is an important requisite too. One must be able to adapt to the situation and fulfill clients’ demands and work to their preferences. Besides, communication skills are an important skill set one needs to work on as a photographer. It is an area I still struggle myself while dealing with clients.
MTimes –What kind of events do you cover the most? What type of photography are you most interested in?
Takumeren – As is common knowledge, wedding and lifestyle photography are mostly covered. I am interested in fashion, product and landscape photography.
MTimes – What is the biggest challenge of being a photographer in Mokokchung as per your experience?
Takumeren – If we compare the scene in Mokokchung with that of Dimapur or Kohima, there is lesser opportunity here as not many major events and programmes happen here that require our professional service. The work flow is limited to weddings during peak season and the occasional birthday parties. We also lack a professional culture or etiquette. I’ve come across instances where clients cancel bookings at the last minute which is quite improper. Also, we have no printing facility and so I have to send to other cities for the purpose. This poses a hindrance in timely delivery and also disables me to accept orders at short notice.
MTimes – What are your immediate or near future goals?
Takumeren – I would love to open up a studio as there are no proper studios here in Mokokchung. But that would depend upon the market and available collaborations with likeminded professionals from different artistic areas. Let’s hope it materializes.
MTimes – Would you kindly leave a message to our readers and to anyone interested in photography?
Takumeren – Photography like you say is an expensive hobby. But if you’re really passionate about it, you should be willing to take the risk and invest in the necessary gears and accessories. We do have prospect and opportunity even in our town and it will only expand. I would also like to encourage the young people to look beyond government jobs to make a living. Besides being self-employed, I am able to employ three more people and hope to employ more eventually. Last but not the least, I’m grateful to God Almighty for blessing me abundantly and also the Mokokchung Times team for this opportunity.