This is an archive article published on October 1, 2024

‘Always shoot your shot’: 9-year-old morning stroll yields her prestigious ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ award

The runner-up title in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition makes her India’s youngest recipient of the award.

9-year-old Shreyovi Mehta took the picture of Peafowls9-year-old Shreyovi Mehta took the picture of Peafowls

Who could have predicted that a casual morning walk in the woods would result in 9-year-old Shreyovi Mehta earning a place in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition? While exploring Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, with her parents, young Mehta encountered a remarkable opportunity. After noticing a pair of peafowls, she seized the moment to capture their image using her father’s camera, and her breathtaking photograph has now received international acclaim.

Now, there is a renewed interest in Mehta, who stood second in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition in the ’10 Years and Under’ category about a month ago. The buzz was reignited after the media and experience company ‘The Female Quotient (@femalequotient)’ shared a post on their Instagram account celebrating her achievement.

The post included a photo that led to Mehta being recognised as India’s youngest recipient of the award. The image was paired with a caption that reads, “Always shoot your shot. 9-year-old Shreyovi Mehta did just that when she captured a stunning photo of two peafowls on a morning walk with her parents in the forests of Keoladev National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Her keen eye earned her the runner-up title in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.”

Take a look at the post:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Female Quotient® (@femalequotient) 

The post has gone viral with more than 22,000 likes and various comments on it. One user wrote, “It has is all. Mystery, magic, beauty, creepy vibe, calming vibe etc.” Another user added, “She has a bright future. Congratulations to this talented photographer.” A third user commented, “Only runner up?! She deserves first!”

A few weeks ago, Mehta shared her excitement about winning the competition through a heartfelt post. She wrote, “My heart is filled with immense joy and gratitude. Thank you to Mom and Dad. My parents have always supported me in chasing my dreams, even when they seemed too big for a kid like me. I am so proud to represent my Bharat on this global stage.” Her words reflect the deep appreciation she has for her parents’ unwavering support throughout her journey.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Shreyovi Mehta (@shreyovi_mehta)

Titled “In the Spotlight,” the photograph captures peafowls gracefully positioned beneath a tree canopy, illuminated by the soft morning light. “It was this perfect moment that inspired Shreyovi to crouch down low on the ground to snap this dream-like image of these iconic Indian birds,” noted the Natural History Museum on its website.

 

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