When people ask how my photography journey began, the answer is simple: it all started with clicking random pictures of things around me. I didn’t have any goals or objectives in mind at the time. I was merely capturing moments that felt meaningful to me. It all began when I developed a habit of reading and documenting books by taking photos of each book I finished. It became my way of visually recording the books I had read, and I started an album on my mobile gallery called "Bookgraphy."
Even from the early days, one thing about me is that I’ve always organised my photos. I didn’t want random pictures scattered across my gallery. Instead, I created separate albums under various headings like "Bookgraphy," "Click by Sazza," "Sunsets and Rises," and places I’ve visited like Kirtipur, Kapuche, Nuwakot, and others. This pattern helped me keep track of the stories behind each photo and made it easier to revisit those memories whenever I wanted.
Going through these albums has become a way to connect with my past self. Sometimes, I find images that no longer resonate with my current perspective, but I never delete them. These old photos serve as a mirror, showing how my approach to photography has evolved. It gives me insights into my growth while comparing those early days.
Photography as a Hobby: A Journey Through the Lens
Photography has always been a hobby I enjoyed in my own time. Documenting moments and emotions through a lens, whether my phone or camera, has been a profoundly personal journey, but it was during the COVID-19 lockdown that I took more photos. Like many at home, I turned to photography to visually journal my days, and slowly, I started uploading these photos to my Instagram account, sharing my experiences and perspectives.
My passion for photography, however, took on new meaning after joining the Community Homestay Network (CHN). My love for travel has always centred around the landscapes and places I visited. However, CHN expanded my horizons and made me appreciate Nepal's people, cultures, architecture, and communities. Through my job, I’ve explored the more profound stories of the communities I work with, and photography has become a way to capture and share those stories with others.
From Hobby to a New Chapter at Community Homestay Network
My job at CHN has given me more opportunities to explore photography. I officially launched my Instagram photography page in January of this year, literally.nepal. With this page, I share the beauty of the communities I visit, capturing their essence through my lens. Since CHN works with communities across Nepal from the East to the Far West, I have enjoyed capturing stunning moments from various places.
At that time, I had only ever taken photos with my Android phone. But one day, a colleague asked if I could use a camera to take pictures for our office's social media content. Without hesitation, I agreed, even though I knew little about handling a camera. That day marked the beginning of a new chapter in my photography journey. I learned a few basics of photography from my colleague the day before the travel to Lubra.
One of the most memorable moments in my photography journey was when I took photos with a camera for the very first time during a visit to the remote village of Lubra. The landscape and the people were unlike anything I had experienced before. The people belonged to Bon ethnic groups, and the architecture and culture were unique. It was in Lubra that I learned the basics of camera photography, despite not owning a personal camera.
Gaining Confidence Behind the Camera
That first experience in Lubra was a turning point for me. I started carrying the office camera with me everywhere I went. When I returned from Lubra, I submitted the photos to my colleague, and they praised my work, telling me that I had a natural talent for capturing beautiful images. Those words boosted my confidence; I’ve never doubted myself when handling a camera since then. It has been over a year and a half, and I’ve continued capturing moments with the camera wherever I go. Many of my photos have been featured on our official social media pages, which is incredibly fulfilling. Photography is no longer just a random hobby; it has become a part of my work, a way to document the stories and beauty of Nepalese communities.
Photography as Art and Therapy
Photography is more than just a hobby; it’s art and therapy. There’s something deeply calming and therapeutic about clicking photos. It helps me slow down, observe my surroundings, and find beauty in everyday moments. Initially, I used to take pictures randomly, without much thought. But now, I’m more intentional about finding the stories behind each image.
Although photography encompasses many genres, my primary focus is documenting Nepal's people, places, architecture, nature, wildlife, culture, and festivals. Each community has its own story, and I aim to capture those stories through my lens. I often divide my photos into themes: artisan and architecture, spirituality and religion, nature and wildlife, lifestyle, food, and cuisine.
Low-Budget Photography: Passion Over Equipment
Over the years, many renowned photographers have said you don’t need an expensive camera to start your photography journey, but I disagreed with them back then. I still run my Instagram page with photos taken from my low-cost mobile phone. The passion for photography matters far more than the gear you use. While I now have access to a camera through my job, I continue to use my phone for many of my captures. Photography is about seeing the world in your unique way, not about owning the best equipment.
Even though photography isn’t my profession or a side hustle, it remains a powerful way to document the world as I see it. Every picture I take represents a moment I experienced, a perspective that’s uniquely mine. And that, to me, is what makes photography so unique.
