A. Ragnauth: Expanding the Frame

When people think about photography, they imagine the moment the shutter clicks. They think about the funny moments they capture on a daily, or they think about those really cool sunset photos everyone takes. For me, the planning that happens before is just as important as the photographs themselves especially for such a special concept. This week, I focused on developing the project management plan for Rooted in Culture, outlining the steps that will take my idea from concept to completion.

Creating this plan helped me realize that documentary photography is much more than showing up with a camera. Every participant has a unique story, and it’s my responsibility to approach each interview and photo session with intention. Instead of simply making a list of people to photograph, I began thinking about how each person’s experience contributes to the larger narrative of the Indo-Caribbean community in Queens.

One of the biggest parts of my planning process has been identifying participants whose stories represent different perspectives. My goal is to feature community leaders, educators, artists, entrepreneurs, and everyday individuals whose experiences reflect identity, culture, resilience, and belonging. Planning these interviews ahead of time allows me to prepare thoughtful questions, research each participant, and create portraits that feel authentic rather than staged.

At this point, I’m extremely grateful to my friends and family. Through them, I’ve managed to connect with South Queens Women’s March. A gender based violence organization dedicated to empowering women and gender non-conforming individuals through advocacy, education, and community engagement. Organizations like this represent exactly what I hope to showcase through Rooted in Culture, people who are making a meaningful impact while preserving and celebrating the diverse cultures that make us so unique.

As I continue planning, I’m also thinking beyond the photographs themselves. Since this project will live primarily on Instagram, each image and caption needs to contribute to a larger visual story. My goal isn’t just to share beautiful photos, but to create conversations and celebrate a community that deserves greater representation. While this project is still in its early stages, the planning process has given me a much clearer direction moving forward

Here’s my project plan for those of you interested: