Real People, Real Stories (Part-13): Namrata Vedi

Hey everyone! Today in the 13th edition of Real People, Real Stories we have with us Namrata Vedi from Thailand.

I have been personally following her work on Instagram for quite a while now and I’ve been loving it. Most of her photography revolves around capturing the city and the streets around her through her camera.

She’s a mother of an 8-year old son, pursuing her passion along with being a full-time mother. It is quite inspirational how she balances both worlds.

She has a fan-following of almost 34k on Instagram and has won many awards for her outstanding Photography.

She was listed in the 100 Incredible Passionate Photographers – World 2018 by Palsmaniaa.com. Her work has been featured in the Creative Image Magazine published by Raghu Rai.

Raghu Rai is an Indian photographer and photojournalist. He was a protégé of Henri Cartier-Bresson, who appointed Rai, then a young photojournalist, to Magnum Photos in 1977.

If you are new here, following are the previous posts in the Real People, Real Stories series:

real people real stories, real people real stories garimashares, travel stories, wanderlust, inspirational stories, namrata vedi, photographers

Name: Namrata Vedi
Location: Thailand
Instagram: nvedi

Table Of Contents

Where are you from?

I was born in Jallandhar, Punjab but brought up in Mumbai. Have stayed in Mumbai all my life, however just a year back we shifted to Thailand.

A little introduction about yourself and what you do

I am a very simple woman who loves to enjoy the basic things in life, such as my family, listening to music, eating all the time, reading books which relate to the meaning of life, traveling and the most important thing that I love is – Photography!

I can’t see myself without living this passion. And what I do – is I do Photography and I make pictures.. lots of moments and lots of memories! I am also a full-time mother to my 8 yr old son which takes just almost all my time.

Haha but I am glad that he too enjoys in my enjoyment in Photography

Which is your favorite city and why?

I am a person who likes quietude and calm surroundings. I have always loved the Mountains so whichever place has mountains or even hills, I can stay there forever! My intention after retirement is to go up to Northern or Eastern India and stay there!

Also Read: What are Leading Lines in Photography and How to use them

What were the obstacles, if any, and how did you overcome them

Fortunately, I didn’t face many obstacles in pursuing my passion as my family is very supportive. Yes, there are times when I wanted to go out, explore, venture out, travel more often, however being a full-time mother demands few decisions to be taken which may not always be in your favor.

But I always believe that whichever place you are in, that is where you make the most of it and enjoy that. If you are destined to be at a particular place, and if you have the right intentions, the right attitude, gratefulness, it will work out for you.

You have to trust time, trust God and faith that things will work out for you.

What was the most exciting thing you saw or did?

Whenever I travel, I do come across some very amazing and exciting things! But the most exciting thing has to be when I visited Ranthambore. We were in the Safari hoping to spot a Tiger, but never did we know what experience we would end up with!

We witnessed a scene that is every Wildlife enthusiastic person’s dream! We witnessed a Tiger stalking the deer, slowly walking towards it, chasing it down, hunting it, killing it and finally having its feast!! It was an outstanding experience and I feel very fortunate to have witnessed it, along with my son.

Even though at times I would close my eyes and feel sorry for the deer, but my son who was brave enough to watch the entire episode said, this is what happens in a Jungle right!? It’s an unforgettable experience. An engrained memory!

Which place would you revisit? Would you ever move to any of those cities?

There are many beautiful places I would love to revisit and probably never come back!! Places that are very close to Nature, such as forests, mountains. Yes, I intend to stay in the Himalayas, but after retirement!!! Haha.

What are you most grateful for and to what do you owe your success?

I can’t define success, as it’s a very relative term. It holds different meanings to different people. For me, if I am enjoying something that I am doing, if I am learning something every day, if I am dedicated towards my passion, if I can inspire even one person, if I can help out, if I remain humble, then I am a successful human being.

And I owe my success to each and every person who has touched my life in so many ways. My parents and in-laws, my husband, my son, my friends, my colleagues, my social media friends – everyone who has taught me something or the other and for all this love, I am ever grateful!

I am grateful to God for always being kind to me and being there for me always. I know that he knows what’s best for me.

What was the strangest thing you ate?

Staying in Thailand, you get to experience something strange, isn’t it. I have tasted Crocodile! And that’s it!

Did you find any sites or activities a bit off the beaten track? Beyond the tourist maps?

Yes, my visit to Kanha! That was a trip without family, with just my best friend. This place we stayed, the beautiful Camp Villas is in the middle of nowhere, no network, and amazing surroundings!! We went for a late-night Safari, covering the outskirts of the Jungle.

It was out of the world experience! It was pitch dark, absolute silence (except the sounds of the jungle and Tiger howling far far away), lit starry sky! I also remember climbing up to Tiger’s Cave. I felt my heartbeat for the first time and it was like I met myself! Thanks to my best friend for arranging this trip as I wouldn’t have experienced this otherwise!

What was your favorite meal?

As mentioned earlier, I am a foodie! I love eating. I love eating local foods as much as I love burgers, Chinese, Biryanis! My favorite meal ranges from Mom’s cooked food to street food to fancy restaurants.

How has travel changed you as a person?

Travel definitely makes you meet yourself. I remember I had visited a Buddhist temple in Pattaya, Thailand and I just sat there for a couple of hours in complete silence and a tear dropped out.

I realized a huge sense of peace and calmness that you wouldn’t find in your daily routine, otherwise. Travel also makes you humble and grateful, as you come across such experiences that move you and touch your heart somewhere!

Here is a small peek into Namrata’s work, you can check out her complete profile on Instagram.