Kajal Patel: Directing Her Story
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Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Kajal Patel is a director, photographer, writer, and overall creative artist using her art and voice to highlight stories of people of color and other women. From working with Megan Thee Stallion, Billie Eilish, and Nike x Serena, she is the true meaning of working hard to achieve your dreams. She dedicates her work to her late grandfather, an aspiring filmmaker himself, who is the complete inspiration and reason for her career and passion for directing.
As I got the opportunity to interview Kajal, she was completely down to earth and extremely humbling. Someone who truly knows the meaning of determination, hard work, and perseverance. Hearing about her journey was super inspiring and truly gave me an insight on the filmmaking/creative industry. She shared a bit about her background and how she became the woman she is today.
What inspired you to start working in the photography/creative industry?
I probably got my start before I was even born because I feel like being a director was kind of in my DNA. My grandfather was an aspiring director, but he came to the US as an immigrant. He simply lived off of ‘surviving’ because following his dreams and passions wasn’t an option. As a child, I used to watch films with my grandpa and he would explain the techniques and technicalities of filmmaking. Ever since I was little, all I knew was that I wanted to make movies, even though I didn’t know what it was called. As I got older, I started to pursue it and it's the desire, passion, and love for making movies that's always been in me that gave me that push.
COURTESY OF KAJAL PATEL INSTAGRAM
How would you say that your culture and your roots impact your work and your art?
As being half Indian and half Ugandan, I feel like POC have been in spaces where they weren't able to be in a certain position or “invited to the table.” Now that the “door is open” POC are able to tell their stories. I want to show the moments of joy, something that makes them happy, peace, etc. I wanted to find and create those emotions in that existence, not just feelings of sadness or oppression. I want to share an embodiment of every single emotion and feeling. For me, telling a story in a personal and authentic way and in the most genuine way is the most important. Finding the beauty of life and the simple “everydayness” is what I love to share. In 2022 and with this generation, I feel like we are able to go after what we want to do and pursue our dreams.
Have you ever faced any hardships within your career?
Yes, definitely. Hardships with being a director/photographer are always ongoing. Being the first person in my family to do this, I didn’t know anyone else that was doing this so navigating this by myself was difficult, figuring out the avenue towards becoming a photographer/director. My family and I couldn't afford film school so I would go to school in Philly, where I received the biggest scholarship, on Mondays/Tuesdays then would work on internships for the rest of the week for film/photography. The hardship now as a freelancer is figuring out what my next job is. It is never the same thing or the same project everyday.
COURTESY OF KAJAL PATEL INSTAGRAM
COURTESY OF DIRECTINGBYKAJAL
COURTESY OF DIRECTINGBYKAJAL
Who are some people/important figures you admire? How have they inspired you over the course of your life/career?
My grandpa, who has been a pivotal part of my journey. I also find inspiration in the community of people around me, the people around me who are pushing me, people who excel, and if they can do their best, so can I. I don’t compete with anyone else because I believe that we all have our own paths that we need to take and not two people see the same thing. Five years ago, I didn’t know that I would be where I am right now and five years from now I won’t know where I will be. So I think I also use inspiration from my younger self and continue to push to become the best version.
What has been your favorite project you've worked on so far?
I would say that my favorite project to date has been working with Megan thee stallion for The New York Times. The piece was "Protecting Women of Color" and it was my favorite piece because of the message. It was also my first piece that I got to work on completely by myself and that someone gave their 100% trust in me. The purpose of the piece was to highlight the issues that all women of color go through. “We've all been through situations where we don’t feel supported or we don't feel like people are taking us seriously.” I called Megan and she has gone through a traumatic event and after I sat down and wrote everything, super authentic. At first it was rejected because of how harsh and true everything was written, but I wasn’t compromising. We really fought and fought hard for the piece to be the way it was written. Everything came from the heart and it was built with the community.
COURTESY OF DIRECTINGBYKAJAL
COURTESY OF KAJAL PATEL INSTAGRAM
COURTESY OF KAJAL PATEL INSTAGRAM
Any advice for someone who is wanting to get within the directing/creative industry?
I would say that you need to truly believe in yourself and know that this is what you want and then push super hard. Nothing comes to you just like that. There are going to be yes and no answers, take them and work hard. I would also say don’t compare yourself to anyone because no two paths are the same.
We cannot wait to see more of Kajal Patel and I am super excited and grateful I had the opportunity to take a deeper look into who she is as well as her career. Truly inspiring, she is the definition of hard work and determination.