Photographs Courtesy of Maureen Pramanik

You would never guess after meeting Gilroy resident Maureen Pramanik that the fast-paced and hectic world of the stock market is one of her main passions in life, but you’ d be wrong.

In 1986 Pramanik graduated from

Rutgers University. Soon after she immersed herself in the world of foreign currencies, working on the floor of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, which, considering Pramanik’ s soft-spoken nature and almost shy demeanor makes her quite an enigma.

“ That job was my favorite of all favorites,” Pramanik said smiling.“ You had to really be up on basically the news of the world.”

Pramanik may have remained on the East Coast, caught up in the world of foreign exchange, but after meeting and marrying Debashis Pramanik more than twenty years ago, the couple moved across the United States and chose California to establish their new home.

After settling in Gilroy, the Pramanik family grew by one; their son Will was born 14 years ago. With his birth came the catalyst for Pramanik’ s second passion in life, photography, providing her a creative way of documenting Will’ s early years. Debashis, already a photography enthusiast, became his wife’ s tutor and schooled Pramanik on the technical aspects of digital photography.

“ I tend to be a visual person, and it just kind of put that all together,” Pramanik said, adding,“ It was somewhat of an artistic outlet, first of all, and I just enjoy taking pictures.”

Over the next few years, with her son as the main subject of her photos, Pramanik perfected her newfound talent. When Will reached second grade, the Pramanik’ s decided a change of venue would be good for their son, and Will was enrolled at Mount Madonna School( MMS). As it turned out, the new school venue also provided Pramanik an audience for her talent.

“ Within weeks of joining the school Maureen started taking photographs of special occasions, and sharing them with the school office,” Lara Kilpatrick, former Director of Admissions at Mount Madonna, said.

“ She soon became a regular MMS parent photographer, donating her time and energy, capturing intimate moments in the lives of the students in school performing arts productions, winter concerts, class projects, and special gatherings.”

Leigh Ann Clifton, current Director of Marketing and Communications at MMS, noticed Pramanik right away when she came to the school over six years ago.“ She always had a camera, and she was always taking photos,” Clifton said.“ I realized, almost immediately, when I saw her photos, she’ s got a huge talent.”

Mount Madonna’ s numerous annual theatrical performances became a pet project for Pramanik, as she made every effort, every year, to capture photos of every student, in every production.

“ She always made a point of getting images of each and every student, whenever possible,” Kilpatrick said, adding,“ This made all the students feel special, noticed, appreciated.”

Pramanik admits photographing live action is quite a challenge.

“ During the plays you only have a fleeting moment, and whatever you get, you get.”

But for Pramanik, the enjoyment of her passion far outweighs the challenges, no matter what the subject matter, and her most successful photos, the ones she grudgingly admits are good, are those that capture true emotion.

“ It’ s very satisfying, you feel like you captured the essence of who that person is, at that moment,” Pramanik said.“ When the person is being more genuine, I guess that’ s how I base whether it’ s a good photograph or not, it’ s my personal barometer.”

Pramanik’ s artistic interests also include sketching, and one evening a week she hosts a meet-up group at First Street Coffee to do just that.

“ It does seem like a natural development from sketching to photography, they’ re very much related, they’ re both very visual, you end up with a picture,” Pramanik said.

Although Will has moved on from Mount Madonna to Christopher High, Pramanik has every intention to continue her involvement, as well as her contributions, to the school, the staff, and the students, who embraced her talent, her dedication, and her selflessness. And there is no doubt that her efforts will continue to be appreciated.

“ Photos that she’ s taken years ago, are still being used in some ways, and we will be using her photos for a long time,” Clifton said.

As an alumni parent, and former administrator at MMS, Kilpatrick said she’ ll remain deeply thankful to Maureen Pramanik“ for her unique eye into the soul of the individual, her photographic excellence, and her exceptionally giving spirit.”

GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2017 gmhtoday. com

51