Kamala Venkatesh @kamalavenkateshphotography (MiniStory-19)

𝑆𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑦 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑠

Read.Relate.Enjoy

Photographer | Artist | Writer | Traveller | Blogger

I’m Kamala Venkatesh, born & brought up in Maharashtra, India  .  I have strong roots in Karnataka as well, as it is where my parents hail from.  Currently, I reside in San Diego, California, USA (since 1970).  In June 2020, I turned 70 years old.   I was trained as a microbiologist but went to work for the school system from which I retired a decade back.  As a child, I loved to draw and paint and now I am an avid photographer  .  

Initially, my photography was limited to family portraits, especially my grandkids .  Now the bulk of my work is of night, astro, and moon photography.  I have added bird  photography to my interests. In addition, I do also enjoy travel, gardening, and hanging with my friends.

I lost my husband 24 years back.  He was the love of my life and very supportive of me at every step.  It was very painful  losing him. I was just left with the memories of him and our beautiful journey of 26 years, raising two children and then seeing them go off to college.  Suddenly, overnight, at the age of 46, I was a widow.  It has taken me a long time to accept this pain and move on. After my retirement about a decade back, I found myself with lots of time and a desire to fulfill the ambition my husband had to travel the world. So at the age of 60 something, I started to travel solo, and it has taken me to many places, both domestic and international. Of course, not having my husband beside me on all these trips, saddens me immensely!

In 2016, I took my first overseas solo trip  to the Netherlands, which included a 10-day driving through the country.  I had bought a new camera  , a Nikon DSLR for my travel photography.  I even took a four- hour photography class in Amsterdam.  From then on, my camera has not left my side and my Nikon (now a d750) has become my new companion! I live by myself surrounded by some wonderful friends., some of who I travel with.  My two children and their families live about 500 miles away.  I am very independent, as my family will attest. My friends are very supportive of my photography, a few have even bought my photographs!

When I travel with my non-photographer friends, they are very patient and even encouraging of my passion. Many of my photographer friends are in their 40s;  very supportive and compliment me that I don’t behave like a 70 year old!  I hope I live up to their expectations.. 

“Just live in the moment, enjoy today to its fullest.” This is the mantra of my life.

One never know what tomorrow will bring. I am very grateful for my life, my family, and my friends!

Here are a few of my photography and artwork Collections: