Conversations with a Photographer
I met Amrita Diwanji only a few years ago, in fact - it was first over text! She was traveling at the point I was getting to know my husband’s friends. We slowly became friends over the years. We also worked together in a professional capacity for a photography exhibition to raise funds for a cause. It’s incredible the sort of knowledge she has about the field! In this interview, we chat about how she pivoted from a consulting job to becoming a full time photographer. We also go down memory lane and chat with her about her various internships over the years.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself
Hello! My name is Amrita Diwanji and I’m a professional photographer, with a passion for weaving stories through my food and beverage photography. I’ve worked for leading food, product and hospitality brands in India including the Taj group, Singapore Airlines and the DeBeers Group; my work has also been rolled out internationally at Waitrose stores across the United Kingdom in print campaigns for Action Against Hunger UK.
Furthermore, my photographs have featured in various publications including Vogue, Conde Nast Traveler, Design Anthology, Elle Décor, Forbes, The Huffington Post, and The Times of India. I was also awarded ‘Commended Place’ at the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year Award in 2017, 2019, and 2021 under the categories of ‘InterContinental London Park Lane Food at the Table’, ‘Champagne Taittinger Wedding Food Photographer’ and ‘World Food Programme Food for Life’ respectively.
When I’m not behind the camera, I can usually be found exploring a part of the world I haven’t seen before (and devouring delicious food!). Although the pandemic has halted my travel plans for the past year, I look forward to travelling again in a post-pandemic world when it is safe to do so.
2. What do you enjoy about your current job?
I love the flexibility that comes with being your own boss, as well as the freedom in terms of creative direction.
3. Let’s zoom back, Can you describe a few challenges you faced while working in a research position at york university?
I don’t remember all that much as it was over 10 years ago now! I was working remotely for the most part of it, so that was a challenge in terms of keeping in constant touch with the team so that they didn’t think I was slacking off. It was my first real paid job, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
4. What was your experience at Standard Chartered Bank? Any learnings from there that still help you in your current profession?
I was doing an internship in the Human Resources department of Standard Chartered Bank during my second year of university, and it was a great experience being my first introduction to the corporate world. One of my key learnings from that internship was to always make sure my voice was heard, and that helps me in my job even today.
5. Any learnings/experiences from Korda and Partners and World Duty free that created an impact on your professional journey?
Korda & Partners shaped my professional corporate journey and gave me the skills I needed to succeed in any client-facing role. I had the most inspiring mentors to work with – our CEO and the Partners of the firm – and they had an authentic interest in making sure their people succeeded, be it within or outside of the firm. The research project at World Duty Free was part of my Masters program at the London School of Economics & Political Science, and that was an incredibly interesting experience in terms of learning about real-life culture change in a post-merger world.
6. What learnings did you take from your work experience at Accenture that you still follow even now?
Working at Accenture taught me the importance of quitting at the right time. People don’t talk about this enough – but it takes a lot of courage to quit, and it is only by walking away from something that isn’t right for you, that you will eventually find what works best for you.
7. Would you want to change your journey of navigating through the different internships since your current job is very different from your earlier experiences? If so, how and why?
No, I wouldn’t change my journey at all. Each job and phase of life has equipped me with a different skill set that I am able to use across the board even today.
8. Any advice you would like to give recent graduates, especially those who are finding it difficult to navigate and find a path, especially amidst a pandemic?
Take your time. Slow down. Cut yourself some slack. Covid-19 has changed the world as we know it, and just remember - you are not expected to have all the answers in your early twenties, and definitely not in the middle of a global pandemic.
9. How did your different volunteer experiences shape you not only professionally but also personally?
My volunteering experiences taught me the importance of giving back to society – no act of kindness is ever too small.
