Lifestyle

Wildlife photographer Pranay Patel’s advice to his 5-year old self is nothing but inspiring. Read to know!

Published

4 years ago

December 22, 2020

When we talk about the extremely successful people, there’s one thing which is common among all. It is their willingness and ability to kick-off their career at an early age. At an age of playing with friends, there was one exception who discovered his passion for photography. Pranay Patel is the name who started his professional career as a wildlife photographer at the age of 13. In the year 2011, he made up his mind to become a wildlife photographer. An animal lover since childhood, the talented guy started clicking pictures of animals in his locality including that of dogs, cows and birds. Their movement and body functioning always left this guy in awe of nature’s most beautiful creatures after which he started capturing them through his lenses.

The Ahmedabad-based guy who has spent almost a decade in this field has now become a past master through self-learning in wildlife photography. However, the calling to become a wildlife photographer came when he visited Ranthambore National Park along with his family. Since then, the wildlife enthusiast started clicking pictures of wildlife and built a portfolio of nature and wildlife covering the exotic wildlife of India and other countries of the world including New Zealand, USA, Australia, Kenya, Africa among others. With having done more than 100 safari and sanctuary visits in the last five years, Pranay seems to cover the wildlife from all over the world.

His frequent visits have been to Gir, Tadoba, Ranthambhore, Kabini, Little Rann of Kutch, Blackbuck National Park Velavadar and Thol. However, due to the unfortunate coronavirus pandemic, there have been travel restrictions and Pranay is spending quality time with family at home. Getting his hands-on camera at a very tender age, Patel has learnt all the technicalities and is well-versed with wildlife photography now. He always says that he followed his passion and listened to his heart. With the main goal of representing India on a global level, the photographer through his beautiful clicks has shown the beauty of India’s nature and wildlife.

When asked a piece of advice he would give to his 5-year old self, Pranay came up with a very interesting reply. He said, “I would tell him to cherish the beginnings in photography. Always be a child and be more curious to know about the vast field of photography. Embrace that sense of amazement you have with the world. Click anything that interests you. This is the best time because you don’t worry about the world. Gladly, you still haven’t discovered ‘social media’ yet, which also means that you will be shooting for yourself with all focus on your passion. Make the best of time and have fun while doing that.” Through self-training, Pranay Patel has surely come a long way in his journey. With being an official photographer for Gujarat Tourism, this talented guy has got a lot to achieve in his life. Our best wishes are with Pranay and may he bring India’s wildlife on a global map in the years to come.

Lifestyle

Powerful Corporate Gifting Strategies to Build and Strengthen Business Partnerships

Published

2 days ago

April 15, 2025

Michelle Langton

If you want to build and strengthen business partnerships with your clients and top investors, there are a few key steps you must take. One essential strategy is corporate gifting. This simple act goes beyond building a partnership. It will also increase your customer retention rate and promote your business even beyond the shore of your country.

But before you consider gifting any item, there are some strategies to put in place. This will ensure your gift makes a lasting impression and resonates well with your clients. Below are powerful corporate gifting strategies to build and strengthen business partnerships with your clients and top investors.

Choose a Personalized Item

Rather than choosing an ordinary gift for your clients and investors, opt for a personalized item. Customised corporate gifts such as T-shirts, coffee mugs, and bags create a stronger emotional connection than generic gifts. They also leave a more lasting impression than most other gift types.

Imagine how investors and your clients will feel when you beautifully inscribe their image or favorite quotes on a T-shirt. Of course, they will feel valued, appreciated, and ready to invest more in your business.

Consider Their Culture and Background

As an entrepreneur, it’s essential to be culturally competent and sensitive. Your gifts should resonate with your clients’ and investors’ cultural backgrounds. Otherwise, they may be quickly discarded or overlooked. If your investors and audience are predominantly of Black heritage, consider giving them a custom T-shirt featuring a map of Africa or inspirational quotes from iconic Black leaders.

Their religious beliefs are also important. Specific religions may find some images or symbols inappropriate. For instance, if you’re giving a gift to a Muslim investor, avoid designs that include images like pigs, as they are considered offensive in Islamic culture.

Consider a Functional Gift

You should also consider the gift’s functionality. A gift that can be used every day will be more valuable than an impractical one. Even if the gift is expensive but doesn’t have any functional purpose, it won’t serve the purpose it was intended for.

Instead of purely sentimental keepsakes or abstract gifts, consider practical items like pens, notebooks, backpacks, coffee mugs, umbrellas, or water bottles. Just make sure the gift is well-designed and features your brand logo and identity. This not only increases brand visibility but also helps strengthen the connection between you and your investors.

Tie it to a story

Tie your gifts to a story to make them more memorable and emotionally meaningful. For example, if during your business’s early days, your employees always worked tirelessly day and night, you could opt for a custom hourglass. Clients and investors who receive such a gift will appreciate your business’s journey of patience and perseverance.

Offer Quality Gifts

Gifts given to investors or clients who have significantly contributed to your business growth should reflect their value. They shouldn’t be cheap or low-grade items. The gift doesn’t have to be trendy or widely popular, but it should come from a reputable and high-end brand. This will give your gift more credibility. Besides, the recipients will feel comfortable to use the gift among their colleagues.