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From Lost Newcomer to Ecosystem Founder: The Hyderabad Journey That Inspired IncluHub

  • Writer: selyush chitikana
    selyush chitikana
  • Jan 4
  • 5 min read

Listen to this story: [Audio version available for those who prefer to absorb content on-the-go]

Five years ago, I stood in front of my bathroom mirror in a cramped Hyderabad apartment, holding my phone with shaking hands. I had just decided I wanted to be a model, but I had absolutely no idea where to start. No connections, no portfolio, no guidance: just a dream and a city that felt impossibly big and indifferent to my aspirations.

That moment of complete confusion and isolation planted the seed for what would eventually become IncluHub: but I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me take you back to the beginning of a journey that transformed not just my life, but hopefully, the entire creative landscape of Hyderabad.

1. The Reality Check: Starting from Zero in Hyderabad's Modeling Scene

Hyderabad's creative industry in 2019 felt like an exclusive club with invisible membership rules. Everyone seemed to know something I didn't. When I researched "how to become a model in Hyderabad," I found either overly generic advice or expensive agencies that promised everything but delivered nothing concrete.

The local modeling scene was fragmented. Photographers worked in isolation, aspiring models competed instead of collaborated, and genuine mentorship was practically non-existent. I quickly realized that:

• Traditional modeling agencies focused only on established faces • Portfolio photographers charged premium rates without offering career guidance • Casting calls happened through word-of-mouth networks I wasn't part of

I spent weeks visiting studios across Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills, only to discover that most photographers were more interested in making quick money from photo shoots than actually developing talent. The disconnect was jarring: how could a city with such incredible creative potential lack the infrastructure to nurture newcomers?

This frustration became my fuel. If the system wasn't designed to help people like me, I'd have to create my own path and eventually, a better system altogether.

2. The Self-Portrait Revolution: Learning Through Consistency

Unable to afford regular professional shoots, I turned to the one resource I had unlimited access to: my phone camera and my determination. I started taking self-portraits every single day, treating each session like a mini photo shoot.

This wasn't vanity; it was education through practice. Every self-portrait taught me something new:

• Understanding angles and lighting using natural Hyderabad sunshine • Developing expressions and poses through repetitive practice • Building confidence in front of the camera without external pressure

The breakthrough came after three months of daily self-portraits. I noticed patterns in what worked and what didn't. I began understanding how to use the harsh Hyderabad afternoon light to my advantage, how to find the best angles in minimal space, and most importantly, how to see myself as others might see me.

My consistency attracted attention on social media. Other aspiring models in Hyderabad started asking for tips. Local photographers began noticing my work. What started as desperate self-teaching had evolved into something more valuable: a replicable method for skill development that anyone could access.

This experience crystallized a core belief that would later define IncluHub: talent development shouldn't depend on expensive resources or insider connections. It should be accessible, systematic, and built on the foundation of consistent effort supported by the right guidance.

3. The Ecosystem Gap: What Hyderabad's Creative Industry Was Missing

As my modeling career gained momentum through this self-driven approach, I connected with other creatives across Hyderabad. The conversations revealed a pattern of shared struggles that went far beyond individual challenges.

Photographers told me they struggled to find consistent, skilled models for their portfolios. Models complained about unprofessional shoots and unclear career progression paths. Brands were frustrated with the disconnect between talent and commercial viability.

The missing piece wasn't more talent: Hyderabad has incredible creative potential. The missing piece was an ecosystem that could:

• Connect talent with opportunities systematically rather than randomly • Provide education and mentorship at every career stage • Create transparent, fair revenue-sharing models • Build long-term artist development rather than quick transactions

I realized that my personal journey from lost newcomer to working model wasn't just a success story: it was a proof of concept for what could work at scale. The self-portrait methodology, the consistency framework, the community-building approach I'd accidentally developed could become the foundation for something bigger.

4. Building IncluHub: The Platform I Wish I'd Had

IncluHub emerged from a simple question: What if every aspiring creative in Hyderabad had access to the support system, education, and opportunities that I had to build for myself?

The platform I envisioned: and eventually built: addresses every pain point I experienced during those early months of confusion and struggle:

Professional Studio Access Made Simple

Remember those expensive studio visits that taught me nothing? IncluHub's cyclorama studio rental system provides newcomers with affordable access to professional photography environments, complete with guidance on how to maximize each session.

Structured Learning Paths

Instead of random googling and trial-and-error, IncluEducation offers step-by-step courses covering everything from basic posing to advanced portfolio development: the systematic approach I wish I'd had from day one.

Community-Driven Growth

The isolation I felt as a newcomer inspired IncluHub's community features, where experienced models mentor beginners, photographers collaborate on projects, and everyone benefits from shared knowledge and opportunities.

Fair Revenue Models

Unlike traditional agencies that extract value, IncluHub operates on transparent revenue-sharing principles, ensuring that as artists grow, they maintain ownership of their work and earnings.

5. The Hyderabad Advantage: Why Our City Needed This Platform

Hyderabad's unique position as a tech hub with growing creative industries made it the perfect testing ground for IncluHub. The city's young, ambitious population understands digital platforms, while the traditional creative industries here were ready for innovation.

Local success stories validate the approach:

Portfolio development workshops regularly fill up with aspiring models from across the city • Casting call coordination through IncluHub has streamlined how brands connect with talent • Photography training programs are producing skilled professionals who understand both technical and business aspects

The platform has become what I desperately needed five years ago: a bridge between raw ambition and professional success, designed specifically for the Hyderabad creative ecosystem.

6. The Vision Forward: Transforming Creative Careers Beyond Modeling

What started as a solution to my personal struggle in Hyderabad's modeling scene has evolved into something much larger. IncluHub now serves photographers, content creators, influencers, and brands: anyone navigating the creative economy in our city.

The founder's ideology that drives this platform remains simple: every creative professional deserves access to world-class education, fair opportunities, and supportive community, regardless of their background or connections.

This isn't just about building careers; it's about transforming how creative industries operate. When talent development becomes systematic and fair, everyone wins: artists build sustainable careers, brands access better talent pools, and cities like Hyderabad become creative powerhouses.

Join the IncluHub Movement

That lost newcomer staring at his bathroom mirror five years ago never imagined he'd eventually build the support system he desperately needed. But that's exactly what happened: and it's exactly what continues to happen as more creatives discover what's possible when talent meets the right platform.

If you're starting your creative journey in Hyderabad, you don't have to navigate it alone. The struggles I faced, the self-portrait experiments, the consistency challenges, the networking confusion: IncluHub has systematized solutions for all of it.

Whether you need portfolio development, professional photography training, or simply want to connect with like-minded creatives, the platform provides everything I wish I'd had access to in those early days.

Your creative career doesn't have to start with confusion and isolation. It can start with clarity, community, and a proven path forward. The question isn't whether you have enough talent: it's whether you're ready to join an ecosystem designed to help that talent flourish.

Ready to transform your creative journey?Connect with IncluHub and discover how the right support system can accelerate your path from aspiring artist to professional creative. Your future self will thank you for making this decision today.

The mirror reflection that once showed uncertainty now shows possibility. That's the power of the right platform, the right community, and the right approach to building creative careers in Hyderabad.

 
 
 

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