{"id":40480,"date":"2025-06-23T10:35:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T10:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/muse.international\/?p=40480"},"modified":"2025-07-01T08:27:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T08:27:54","slug":"interview-mital-patel-london-photographer-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/muse.international\/index\/interview-mital-patel-london-photographer-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Photographer of the Year Mital Patel on Turning Childhood Curiosity into a Lifelong Craft"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mital Patel began photography at age 12 with a camera gifted for a trip to Asia. Quickly becoming the go-to memory keeper for family and travel moments. What started with beginner mistakes has grown into a thoughtful practice focused on storytelling. Awareness, and creating space for meaningful conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mital Patel Q1<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Thank you! I started photography after receiving my first camera at age 12 to take on a trip to Asia. That was my first moment feeling empowered to capture moments of family and travel. Over time, I became the family\u2019s de facto photographer; I felt this quiet obligation to preserve memories for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the years went on, I kept shooting, gradually refining my craft into what it is today. My first shots were full of classic rookie mistakes; for example. Underexposed portraits where I exposed for the background instead of the faces. Those trials and errors were essential to learning how to use the camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From those early-day photographs to today, my photography has evolved to be more purposeful. Telling stories, raising awareness, and serving as a vehicle for conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This series of photos was taken over the course of eight years, documenting different volcanoes and lava flows. One of the most memorable moments was seeing the lava flow into the ocean. Creating a massive plume of steam under the starry sky. That photograph was taken in Hawaii, after a two-hour hike through the dark, dried lava fields. It was definitely a moment I\u2019ll never forget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wasn\u2019t expecting to win. There were many talented photographers who submitted, so I\u2019m honoured to be in their company and to have received this award. Winning reinforces that my work has meaning and encourages me to keep bringing important stories to light and to create greater good through this medium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q2<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It was a tough decision. I had several series to choose from; however. I felt I hadn’t seen a good, cohesive set of volcanic images entered into competitions. Thought the contrast between volcanoes, water and ice gave this body of work a unique conceptual focus and a sense of unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curiosity. Novelty. Scarcity. We had one camera in my family. And whenever I had the opportunity to take a few pictures, I was hooked. I\u2019ve brought a camera on trips since I was 12, and I\u2019ve been able to capture wonderful memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I tend to think that favorites evolve as we mature and gain new inspiration. At this moment, my favorite type of photography is wildlife. I love bringing animals into the spotlight as if they\u2019re human models. And giving them the same level of emotional connection we usually reserve for people. I especially love it because it allows me to tie my work into wildlife conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q3<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

<\/i><\/a><\/i><\/a><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mital Patel began photography at age 12 with a camera gifted for a trip to Asia. 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