Women

Exclusive with Shereena Rafeeq- A Day in the life of a full-time content creator- mom

Published

3 years ago

August 5, 2021

As I entered Shereena’s home, I heard the echo of the children playing inside. Her daughter and son were helping her by holding up the reflector for the photoshoot. And her youngest, a toddler, ran around happily. And on the corner stood Shereena, on a world of her own, bent down, with a camera in her hand, switching angles as she captures magic through her lens.

“The only way my career as a food photographer and a mother of three incredible children can work hand in hand is by proper planning of my routine,” she says.

“My husband has always been my pillar of support. If the client wants me to come to the restaurant to conduct the photoshoot on a weekday, then my husband makes sure to come early from work to be with the children.”

1.On a scale of 1-10, how busy can a regular day be for a content creator?

It’s crazy out here on weekends! The photoshoots at the restaurant take about 3-4 hours. But before leaving, I have to cook food for my children and wash everything up. It ends up being very hectic by the end of the day. So those kinds of days deserve a score of 8.5.

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A post shared by Shereena Rafeeq (@the_food_n_foto)

However, on weekdays I don’t usually work on photoshoots but instead spend as much time as I can with my family and work on ideas for my Instagram page(@the_food_n_foto). So, I’ll give it a 7.

2.Does your children help you with your photoshoot?

Sure, they like to help me set up the props and share their ideas for the shoots. During these lockdown times, as the kids are stuck at their homes, I prompt them to use their creativity and indulge in new activities. I encourage them to participate actively in the recipe videos and photo shoots I do for my Instagram feed. Even my 2-year daughter imitates the elder one and wants to help me by holding up the reflector or setting the props. It is so much fun when the children join me for work. I sometimes catch my daughter licking the honey on the pancakes and smiling naughtily at me!

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A post shared by Shereena Rafeeq (@the_food_n_foto)

However, if it’s a photoshoot for a client, I tell them not to come in between because even their slightest mistakes, maybe a fingerprint impression on the cheesecake or spilling the syrup on the plate, could damage the whole look.

My children understand how much my work matters to me and give me sufficient room to work. They eagerly wait to eat the food after I’ve completed taking photos.

3.Can it get overwhelming for a full-time content creator-mom on certain days?

Both as a parent as a content creator, I try to be very liberal. I make sure not to impose a hectic schedule on myself; on some days, if I don’t feel like updating my presence on the social network platforms, I avoid doing it. I give my mental health as much importance as my physical health.

However, I can get worked up on certain days, especially during the pandemic when I got to be their teacher at home, a mom, and a content creator. On some days, I start with my photoshoots at 11-12 pm after my children go for sleep. The shoots have even extended up to 4 am!

4.Does your home turn messy after you’ve completed a shoot?

Guilty as charged. I tend to utilize my freedom when I do the shoots at home. If I want to take the fifth plate off my shelf, I end up taking out all the ones above it to get to the one.

Although, I can’t keep thinking about how untidy the room looks if I want to finish the shoot on time. It usually takes a few days before all the props will be returned to their places.

5.How do you balance time between work and family life?

My secret for a healthy balance of family and work is to take life as it comes. If my daughter spills some milk on the floor when I’m in the middle of a shoot, then I have to give myself the freedom to say, “It’s okay!” and move on. I make sure that my children are fed and engaged in their pastimes before I start my work; they’ll get involved in their activities, and I can limit my distractions too. I believe this mantra has helped me succeed in a contest conducted by the official Canon camera company. It is the best moment of my career!

After returning home from photoshoots at the restaurant, I may feel too tired to clean up the house or upload my content on Instagram. So, I let it be. I’ll do it when I’m relaxed. The happiness I feel inside will be reflected both in my work and in the well-being of my family.

Make sure not to impose rules on yourself. It’ll take away all the fun out of it. You’ll do everything when you’re feeling like doing them and when the time is right.

Words by: Neha Ann George

Women

Kareena Kapoor film festival : PVR celebrates 25 years of Kareena

Published

3 months ago

September 19, 2024

Reshma Vivekanandan

Kareena Kapoor, one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, has captivated audiences for over two decades. With her latest release, The Buckingham Murders, now in theatres, the actress has reached a significant milestone, celebrating 25 years in the Hindi film industry. To honor her illustrious career, PVR Cinemas is organizing a special multi-city film festival dedicated to Kareena—an unprecedented tribute for a female actor in India. Previously, only legends like Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan have received similar honors.

The festival will showcase some of Kareena’s most iconic performances on the big screen, featuring beloved characters such as Poo from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Geet from Jab We Met, and her title role in Chameli. A trailer for the festival, highlighting these memorable roles, has already been released, with more details to follow soon.

Kareena expressed her gratitude on Instagram, sharing her excitement for the tribute. In her heartfelt post, she wrote, “The blood in my veins, the magic on screen… my job I love… the fire within… here’s to the next 25 ❤️. Thank you to @pvrcinemas_official & @inoxmovies for curating this beautiful festival… so humbled.”

Having made her debut with JP Dutta’s Refugee in 2000, Kareena has starred in over 50 films, including Chameli, Omkara, Heroine, 3 Idiots, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Udta Punjab, and Laal Singh Chaddha. Fans can look forward to seeing her next in Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again, alongside Ajay Devgn.

Women

Inspiring Indian Women Who Defied Age Norms

Published

10 months ago

February 21, 2024

Reshma Vivekanandan

Age is often perceived as a limitation, a barrier that holds individuals back from pursuing their dreams and achieving greatness. However, there are exceptional women who have shattered this misconception, proving that age is merely a number. In India, these remarkable women have demonstrated resilience, passion, and determination, inspiring countless others to defy societal expectations and pursue their aspirations regardless of their age.

SEEMA ANAND

Sex health instructor and storyteller Seema Anand is well-known for her gorgeous appearance and silver hair. But Seema’s Instagram account really shines because of the way she addresses sex and dispels ageist myths, providing insightful advice for senior citizens looking to have better sex. She dispels misconceptions about contraception and encourages body awareness. Both young and old who want to learn more about sexual pleasure should check out Anand’s account.

MANJRI VARDE

Manjri Varde is a skilled artist who, along with her actress daughter-in-law Sameera Reddy, is known online as “sassy saasu.” Together, they make humorous videos that question conventional wisdom regarding the dynamics of in-law relationships. She is a designer and artist who runs her own business, Samanjri, which sells poetry, calligraphy, and wearable art. Varde has a unique sense of style and is frequently spotted with brightly coloured sarees and scarves that she creates herself. Even though she is well-known on Instagram, where she frequently shares videos highlighting her love of art, entertaining, and cooking with her daughter-in-law.

SHEELA BAJAJ

Sheela Bajaj, a Delhi native, turned her love of crocheting into a business during the lockdown by using Instagram to fuel her passion. She has been making sweaters for her family using her crocheting abilities for years. Yukti Bajaj, her granddaughter, proposed that they launch a company to highlight her amazing knitting masterpieces.The two launched their crochet business in November 2020, and it has been inundated with customers. They claim that the current gap between supply and demand for their products is ten times larger.

RAJINI CHANDY

Rajini Chandy, a 72-year-old homemaker actor came to light in 2021 thanks to a widely shared photo shoot. She looked better than many in tattered dresses and denim, even at her advanced age. She did, however, get harsh criticism for her wardrobe selections. At the age of 65, Rajini Chandy, who has 20,000+ Instagram followers, started her acting career in Malayalam films. Interestingly, she took part in a Big Boss Malayalam season as well.

SHANTHI RAMACHANDRAN

This former banker simply wanted to unwind and enjoy her life after retiring in 2015. She created a social media platform where she provides her cooking advice and techniques, supported by her daughter. She now goes as “Insta Aunty” and has amassed a sizable fan base since then. Shanthi Ramachandran has an astounding 53.3k followers, and her delicious posts will definitely make you hungry.

These remarkable women from India have defied age norms and shattered stereotypes, proving that with passion, determination, and resilience, anything is possible. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder that age should never be a barrier to pursuing dreams and achieving greatness. As we celebrate their accomplishments, let us draw inspiration from their journeys and strive to embrace our own potential, regardless of our age.

Fashion

Zeenath Aman’s new look that makes internet go crazy

Published

1 year ago

July 24, 2023

Reshma Vivekanandan

Zeenat Aman is very vocal with her Instagram followers. In her most recent post, the veteran actor, whose Instagram presence has managed to catch everyone’s attention, gave her take on fashion. The celebrity wrote in great depth about enjoying fashion and not limiting its associations to words like “sexy” and “glamour.” On her profile, one can see photos from her more recent adventures mixed in with nostalgic photos, all of which are accompanied by moving writing from the icon herself.

Aman has been called a retro fashion icon, but her Instagram shows that she hasn’t lost any of her style chops over the years. Aman’s style stands out amid a sea of fashion posts that are overflowing with trends but lacking in personality. The actor’s fashion choices and her tone of voice, which is hard to come by on social media, are a welcome contrast.

Taking to her Instagram to talk about her understanding of the concept of fashion, Zeenat shared a couple of pictures standing in an oversized white shirt and black pants from the new shoot. The actor said she is tired of hearing the word ‘bombshell’ and ‘diva’ attached to fashion all the time, and wants to pull the ‘focus on fun.’ Positive comments on the actor’s post were left by many, who praised her for defying stereotypes and serving as an inspiration.

Aman posed for the camera wearing a Payal Khandwala costume to celebrate her 50th Instagram post. Aman, who is never afraid to make a statement, defied the ageist fashion convention that “women of a certain age” should only wear neutral colour schemes. Aman wore a handwoven silk jacket in a lush green tone over her immaculate white shirt, giving the look the ideal pop of colour. The actor wore classic accessories including tiny golden earrings, black eyeglasses, and a brush of brick-red lipstick.