My first ever shoot for a brand, I remember being very nervous. I had no proper equipment, just my little camera and lens.
In today’s feature, we are here with one of Sri Lanka’s most promising young talents in the world of creative photography. She is well known for her distinctive eye and artistic finesse, she has quickly made a name for herself in the fashion industry, collaborating with some of the country’s leading brands. Her work speaks in volumes and blending with emotion, style, and narrative into every frame. As a rising force redefining fashion photography in Sri Lanka, she continues to inspire a new generation of visual storytellers. She was also recently appointed as First female Key Opinion Leader for SONY campaign - Alpha for Her in Sri Lanka. Join us as we uncover the creative journey, inspirations, and vision of this exceptional young photographer, Sandeeshwara Perera.
When it comes to my personal shoots, a large percent of my inspiration is from Pinterest, movies or music videos.
I was born in Colombo, but I grew up in the misty hills of Hatton. Once I was a little bit older, we moved to Colombo because of my education. My focus was studying science because at the time I had the interest in becoming a doctor. Upon completing school and foundation in human sciences I decided to start working by the age of 18 where I dabbled in the corporate field and started to pursue my degree in Psychology whilst working.
Q: Could you share how your journey into photography began, and what initially drew you to the fashion industry in particular?
I was in no way exposed to photography or had a major interest but at the time when I 15 - VSCO edits were trending, and I was experimenting taking pictures and editing using just my phone.A year later, my mother gifted me a camera after seeing my interest in taking photos. However, I was not too serious about photography at the time, I remember my camera sitting idle on my desk but once I was 18 and working at my first corporate job, I came across a lot of international photographers and was quite inspired by their work. I was keener towards capturing creative portraits. That is when my camera was revived, and my brand portrait culture came to be. Once I started posting the pictures I photographed, brands started reaching out to me for photoshoots. My photography was supposed to be a hobby but with time I started shooting professionally towards fashion brands.
Q: Do you recall your first experience working on a fashion shoot? How did it influence your creative direction?
My first ever shoot for a brand, I remember being very nervous. I had no proper equipment, just my little camera and lens. I was in constant doubt if I would be capable of getting the job done. At the end, the pictures came out well andI was very proud about how I managed to handle it with the knowledge I had. What I learned from my earliest shoots and even now is that when you have the least number of resources is when a person gets the most creative. I see most beginner photographers thinking that having the best equipment is the most important factor to taking a great picture but that could not be further from the truth.
What helped me to be more creative and help me think outside the box is not having access to supplies or certain resources, so I was forced to always creatively come up with an alternative to bring my vision or the client’s vision to life. My creativity was not influenced just by this one shoot, it grew over the years with so much more practice and working with a lot more other clients and different types of concepts and shoots.
Q: What does your creative process typically involve when preparing for a fashion shoot, from concept development to execution?
When it comes to my personal shoots, a large percent of my inspiration is from Pinterest, movies or music videos. I usually have a vague idea of what I would want to conceptualize, and I try to build on it by skimming through on the internet trying to find similar concepts that were executed by other creatives because it is the only way I would be able to show the team getting involved what my idea is for the shoot. Once I have a clear idea of what I want to do – I would start firstly by looking for a model and makeup artist that would be fitting to execute my concept. Later, I would also look for clothing options. I usually would collaborate with a designer but sometimes if what I need cannot be found, I get the supplies needed and would try to make the fit myself. It of course is not the best, but it would hold just for the photos. Same applies for the set. I get the materials and such and make it on my own.
Q: How do you strike a balance between maintaining your personal artistic vision and meeting the commercial expectations of clients or brands?
Finding common ground between the client’s expectation and my own creative vision has always come easy. There’s a high chance that these clients already know what type of work they can expect from me since my portfolio showcases the type of work I have done. However, communication is key to understanding what my clients need and how I can blend that with my style. Listening to the story and vibe behind the brand. What story they want to tell. Discussing the mood board to understand their vision is also equally important to visualize ideas and to find common ground.
Q: You have collaborated with some of Sri Lanka’s leading fashion and lifestyle brands. What have been the most valuable insights gained from these partnerships?
I have had the privilege of working with many leading brands and designers. Working with them and catering to their own personal vision and various styles have led me to push my boundaries. Whether it is learning to experiment with lighting or trying out new types of equipment to capture their story. Trying out new things to showcase their narrative has made me improve my skills and creative thinking in many ways.Collaborating with talented stylists, models, make-up artists and many other creatives have taught me the power of teamwork. When everyone brings their A-game, magic happens!
Q: Looking ahead, how do you envision the evolution of your work, both creatively and professionally?
Thinking about my creative journey and how I have evolved- I have come a long way. There are times where I reflect on where I started and where I am now. When I first picked up my camera, I had no idea I had come this far. My proudest moment in 2025 and in my entire photography journeyis getting the opportunity to become Sri Lanka’s First Female Key Opinion Leader for SONY campaign - Alpha for Her. It is a privilege to work with such a prestigious brand and I am so grateful. Us creatives are always evolving, learning new techniques and becoming more knowledgeable and experienced. Looking forward, I understand that this profession is always evolving, and I cannot wait to learn more things and hopefully travel the world and work internationally.
Q: Finally, what advice would you offer to aspiring photographers, particularly young creatives seeking to enter the fashion and visual arts space?
Travelling back to my younger self; I was never someone that thought out of the box. My mind was caged, sticking to the rules and listening to societies version of being successful. When the time came where I started taking pictures, photography showed me endless possibilities of creation. It showed me what I was capable of and what I could create if I were passionate enough. Coming from a South Asian culture, a female in this sort of field is frowned upon. It does not seem to fit societies standard of a perfect job. This applies to even men when they want to start photography, people think it is not a real job. There were many obstacles that arose when I wanted to pursue photography, but I did not let anything stop me. I want anyone that is starting out to always follow their heart, because creating something with one’s passion is truly an amazing feeling. Always stay open minded and learn new skills and techniques. Invest time in understanding your camera and the fundamentals. Do not be afraid of making mistakes, every blurry shot and a badly lit image is only a step toward mastering what you do. Invest in connections. Collaborate with other creatives, join workshops and learn from each other. This community is where you will find the most support and inspiration. Always practice, shoot often. The more you click the better you can get and always test yourself. The journey of photography is rewarding as it is challenging. Obstacles may arise along your journey but if you are passionate enough and you have the drive to do better,there is no force that can stop you.
