DearReader,
​
April 27th would have been my mom’s 86th birthday—and four years ago, on this same day, my aunt passed away on her 86th birthday.

​
​
Two women.
Two completely different lives.

My mom, Aai, was the quiet force behind our family. Her work—making endless cups of chai, cooking meal after meal, and keeping our home running—was unpaid, expected, and often invisible. She did it all with love but rarely with recognition.

Then there was my aunt. Fierce and unapologetic, she was the first woman in our family to divorce, build her own wealth, and show what was possible for women. She carved her path with grit, and it wasn’t always pretty—but it was hers.

Both left their mark on me in different ways.​
​
​My mom is why I’m passionate about helping women feel seen—whether through my photography or the stories I help them tell.

Watching her fade into the background made me want more for her and myself.

So I:
✨ Rebeled and said no to an arranged marriage
✨ Bought a one-way ticket to the U.S. for my Master’s
✨ Built a career and financial freedom (the kind my mom deserved, too)

Along the way, I learned something: the world will try to box women in, no matter where you’re from.
​
But real empowerment?
​
It’s not about staying home or climbing a ladder. It’s about choosing—and being respected for your choice. (And yes, homemakers should absolutely be paid.)

I’m celebrating both these women and every woman finding her own way.
​
Here’s to being seen. 🌺
Here’s to choosing your path, unapologetically. 💪
​
love,
​
Alpana | Brand strategist + Photographer

​
​
​P.S. – With 25+ years in marketing, advertising, and photography, I’ve learned that your story deserves to be seen authentically and unapologetically.

If you're in the Bay Area and want to book a portrait session for Mother's Day — or just because — I'd love to capture you. 🌸
​
Not local? I also craft premium AI portraits for clients all over the world.

✨ [ FILL OUT THIS CONTACT FORM ] and let’s create something iconic together.
​