What do you do when you have an extra movie ticket to sell? Where do you find a domestic help in a new city? How do you search for a baker who makes frozen-themed birthday cakes?
Facebook has all the answers. There are several pages and groups where members are only happy to help. ‘Put me in touch Chennai,’ is a closed group with more than 15,000 members. They post their queries, hold discussions. “I personally look at the profile and add members to the group. This group was created to offer instant help by people who often speak about their experiences. Many in the group are new to the city and the group helps them get through the ride,” says Hemanth Kumar, the administrator of the group launched in January 2014.
They also serve as a platform for business owners to interact and win potential clients. “We have a monthly meeting about which I post on the page. Last time we had it at Amethyst and we had people from all walks of life participating,” says Hemanth.
‘Where Chennai Eats,’ ‘Chennai Shopping,’ ‘Home Bakers Guild,’ and ‘Moore Market’ are some of the popular groups online. The names of this group are self-explanatory, one just has to post the question and is flooded with options.
Social media expert Karthi Sekar says that moderators of popular pages have to be careful about what is posted. “After writing a post in a public forum, if somebody contacts you separately on a chat, it is better to avoid them. A public forum is meant for open interaction. Observe those who actively participate in discussions, they usually give genuine information. Always check the person’s profile before doing business. Most importantly, inform the administrator if you have an unpleasant experience,” he says.
Portrait photography at your doorstep
Drape yourself in the finest of clothes, drive to the studio and sit with a frozen smile till the automatic cameras click your best frame. Wait, what if the cameras come to your doorstep? That is what studios are willing to do — capture you in the background you are most suited to. Increasingly, people are opting for portrait photography to be done at the comfort of their homes.
For instance, A.T.S. Vijayendran of Graphick Stills says that with changing times, people want to be photographed in a natural environment. “In studios, there are just plain or white backgrounds which some may find boring. They might as well want their best moments to be taken at their homes,” he says.
“Also, when portrait photography is done at home instead of a studio, you have the luxury to play around with a host of things in the frame. The photographs can be taken at the garden, terrace or with their pets at home. “Some of the best moments can be captured at home,” Mr. Vijayendran adds.
And there are no compromises even when it is taken at homes. Latest cameras are used, he says. He says even middle-income groups opt for portrait photography at home as they find it affordable.
(Reporting by
Vipasha Sinha and Sunitha Sekar)
