Dhruv Rungta: Building Community Through Documentary Photography
By Elia Zonio
Rungta documented a Mexican family’s three-generation journey to open a restaurant in the United States, capturing their resilience and joy as they shared their story through food. Through storytelling, Dhruv fosters connection, understanding, and the transformative power of photography in building community.
When Dhruv Rungta signed up for his first documentary photography class at Duke University, he couldn't have predicted how it would reshape his path. What started as an engaging elective blossomed into a deeper commitment to community engagement when his professor recognized his passion and invited him to take on a leadership role in the course. Now a junior pursuing a self-designed degree in Economics, Ecology and Sustainable Development, Rungta serves as an SLA (Service-Learning Assistant) for DOCST 209S: Digital Documentary Photography: Education, Childhood, and Growth, where he helps students master both technical photography skills and the nuances of community engagement.
"I had this incredible professor, Susie Post-Rust, who started her career with National Geographic," Rungta explains. "She spent years immersing herself in communities different from her own, sharing their stories with the world. Seeing how she connects Duke students with local North Carolina communities inspired me to help others have similarly transformative experiences."
As an SLA, Rungta finds joy in helping students overcome the initial intimidation of DSLR photography. "I started training in seventh grade, so I understand the learning curve," he says. "We work one-on-one with students, and after a few weeks, watching them capture technically and creatively strong images is incredibly rewarding."
One of Rungta's most meaningful projects involved documenting a Mexican family's journey to open a restaurant in the United States. "Their family had dreamed for three generations of starting a restaurant here," he recalls. "I interviewed the grandmother in their home, with her daughter Gladys translating between Spanish and English. Hearing what it meant for their family to share their culture through food, being welcomed into their home—they even prepared special vegetarian dishes for me. Their excitement about having their story documented professionally made the experience unforgettable."
The impact of service-learning extends beyond photography for Rungta. Without a car on campus, these courses became his gateway to experiencing Durham beyond Duke's campus, including visits to local schools and nearby towns like Hillsborough.
"It was a reminder of how stepping outside the campus bubble can deepen your understanding and appreciation of the place you live," he reflects.
At Duke Engage Costa Rica, Rungta partnered with Universidad Earth, a leading institution for sustainable agriculture in the heart of a tropical rainforest. He tackled challenges in sustainability and efficiency and gained hands-on experience in community-based problem-solving.
"I came to Duke planning to major in Economics and Biology," he reflects. "But after seeing how different animal husbandry and science practices are worldwide, I realized the importance of having a strong framework for community collaboration. This led me to create my own degree exploring the intersection of economics, ecology, and communities—focusing on effective collaboration across these domains."
Through documentary photography and service-learning, Rungta has discovered that powerful storytelling can bridge divides and foster understanding between communities. As he continues to mentor other students, he helps them develop not just their photography skills, but also their ability to connect with and learn from the diverse communities that surround Duke.
