IE BUSINESS SCHOOL APPLICATION Question I-Show us an activity you enjoy doing. Tell us how you think it contributes to your personal and professional development

An activity that absolutely encapsulates

me is photography, especially of wildlife

and birds.

From the moment that I took my first picture, the very concept of the art has driven me to learn more.

Botswana, with its abundant wildlife and beautiful landscapes, adds fuel to the fire that is my passion.

How does photography contribute to my personal development?

I feel photography provides a platform for me to express myself, enabling me to illustrate to the world how I perceive that subject.

Photography ensures that I spend my time productively and helps me enhance my knowledge. As many of my subjects are animals, I have learnt a great deal about their attributes and behaviors, including how to track them. Through photography, I have also become an avid bird watcher, with the identification of species being at the forefront of this hobby.

Photography motivates me to travel, affording me with the opportunity to learn about different countries and understand new cultures, thus helping me become a global citizen.

Photography has taught me patience. In order for a photo to be perfect the light, the subject , and the angle need to be in place. In wildlife photography, the subject cannot be controlled, and thus, you play a waiting game with the animal. This makes every wildlife photo special.

How does photography contribute to my professional development?

Photographs often have a story behind them, and in sharing these stories with people, I have vastly improved my communication skills.

It allows me to expand my network as I meet and connect with different people.

A camera helps me break the ice and develop an instant connection with my subject.

Photography has improved my ability to read and understand people. I’m better able to understand a person’s facial cues and body language. This has helped me tremendously in a professional environment as well.

In order to be a good photographer, one needs to be fairly meticulous and organized. So over last few years, my organizational and planning skills have immensely improved, because of photography.

Overall, photography provides a platform to express myself, gain knowledge and motivate me to explore the world around me. Photography enhances my network and helps me connect with people.

www.instagram.com/arvindmurali/

Thank you for your time!