Alumni Spotlight: Hrudaya Sruti Alaparthi
Name: Hrudaya Sruti Alaparthi
Current Occupation: Software Developer
Workshops: Project NOLA 2025
Faculty: Marianne Sabrier, Annie Flanagan, Jamie Rose
1. What motivated you to take a photo workshop, and why did you pick Momenta?
In Oct 2016, I had attended a workshop in New Orleans. That experience taught me much about photography. It was also a personal lesson for me about stepping out of my comfort zone, about being open to new experiences, and being open to learning. Since then, New Orleans has always had a special place in my heart.
After that workshop, I started to use my camera more mostly to take pictures of landscapes whenever I travel, and occasionally events with friends and family.
Personally, I have always been a volunteer, volunteering my time on projects to support Children’s education and reading programs, libraries, elderly care, and meal programs. I have thought about applying photography to support these causes, but I didn’t really know how to go about doing that.
Fast forward to Jan 2025, I was looking online for travel and photography workshop experiences similar to the one I attended in 2016, to enhance my photography skills. I came across the Momenta website. When I saw the non-profits documentary workshop in New Orleans, I knew I had to apply. But I was very skeptical about my ability to contribute meaningfully seeing how my photography experience never included interacting with people, let alone documenting their story. So, I called Jamie Rose to ask about the workshop and expectations. She patiently explained to me how the workshop is organized, and that it would be a great experience. I signed up!
2. What surprised you most about the experience of working with a nonprofit?
This was my first time meeting the organization management, staff and the people there. So, I didn’t know what to expect and how they would receive me being there to photograph them. I was surprised by how warm and welcoming everyone was to me and the photography documentary experience. The management team accompanied me throughout the two days to their different locations. They took the time to talk to me about the content and intent of the photo documentary. The people at all the sites that I visited were so engaging and so happy to have their pictures taken. It was such a joyous and satisfying experience. By the end of two days, there was such a warm sense of familiarity that it felt like I have known them for a lot longer.
3. What was the best lesson you took away from your workshop?
People have stories to tell. More often than not, people are willing to share their stories, if you pay attention and listen. Photography to me has always been meditative experience. Like long walks and exercise, photography has helped me grow to be a more mindful, present, calm person. Documenting a non-profit is about engaging with others and artfully telling their story. It’s not just about me anymore. It’s now about an “us”. The workshop taught me that when I can bring that version of myself with intention and calmness, when I am able to listen with my heart and engage with all my senses, the story unfolds. You experience the story unfold, you use your camera and your artistic sense to capture that story, and you’ll know what story to tell, and how to tell it.
The workshop reinforced my belief that photography is both art and science – the camera is your tool. There are techniques and guiding principles and there is supporting software. But it’s also how artfully you engage with light and the frame you compose to capture that moment.
4. What was your favorite photograph from this workshop & why?
I couldn’t stop smiling the entire week that I was there. All 1000+ pictures I had taken (at the non-profit, the workshop, with the team and of NOLA) – I love them all!
Starting with the shaky pictures in the first couple of hours of “I don’t know what exactly I am doing here, and I am so overwhelmed with all the people around me, and everything that is going on”, to “ok. I know what I have to do, and I can do better than this”, to “forget the techniques, and just have fun clicking pictures!”, to pictures that are “this time I applied what I learned and these are so much better”, to “I am so grateful for, and overjoyed with this experience” – I love all of them!
From the pictures of the non-profit, I like the one that I took of one of the participants with the beads in her hair. She was so comfortable telling me her story of her family and how the beads came to be, and so comfortable with me in her presence up close taking her pictures as she was talking. Her ease helped me get past my overwhelming feeling, and helped me ease into my assignment. I enjoyed that interaction. I was grateful that she told me that story, and I was able to get that special bead in the picture.
From the pictures of the overall workshop (aka the Fun Sho), I think I love our pie-picture the best. I made new friends in this workshop. I learned a lot from their experiences. I had a great time interacting with them. On the last day of the workshop, a few of us went to a local restaurant and had a great time talking and laughing over pie and ice cream.
5. What would you tell a potential student to help them prepare for their experience with Momenta?
“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” – Ansel Adams
“You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.” - Ansel Adams.
Come to the workshop if you want experience making heartful pictures.
Come with an open mind and come to engage with all your heart. You would want to be fully present to be able to appreciate the joy of participating in this workshop. Come with the curiosity and willingness to learn. You learn a lot about photography and about story-telling. The 1:1 time with the faculty to review your day’s work is very valuable. So, besides the time at the non-profit and the assignment, also make the most of the time you get with the faculty and the team members. The workshop is for anyone who would like to engage with the community and give back. So, be ready to engage with the community, and be moved by the experience.
Be prepared for long hours of work and learning. It is a time-intensive and energy-intensive experience. But it is also equally joyous, and emotionally and spiritually nourishing.
I enjoyed the team spirit and am so grateful for the friendships. So, be open to possibility of new friendships and long-lasting relationships.
The images featured in this story were taken on the Momenta Project New Orleans 2025: Documenting Nonprofits workshop in New Orleans, Louisiana in partnership with ARC of Greater New Orleans.
Photos © Hrudaya Sruti Alaparthi/Momenta Workshops 2025.
Bio
Sruti Alaparthi works in Information Technology on a software development and quality assurance team at a data analytics company. As she describes her experience with photography, “I enjoy my time alone with my camera the most - I find it meditative - being able to lose myself in the moment and enjoy the act of taking pictures, and how everything just aligns - the light, the scene, the moment. “
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/said_theheartbeat/