I am an artist, photographer and designer with a deep commitment to promoting the rich cultural heritage of Odisha His artistic journey encompasses a wide array of fields including painting, designing, organizing cultural events, and training students and artisans in fine art, craft, graphic design and animation

I hold a Bachelor of Fine Art and Applied Art degree from Berhampur University (1999) and a Master of Visual Art with a specialization in Animation and Graphic Design from Utkal University of Culture (2008). Currently, I’m pursuing my Ph.D. from Utkal University of Culture. Throughout my career, I have collaborated with fellow artists in various fields such as Dhokra & Bell metal craft, Pattachitra, Applique craft, and mask and toy crafts of Odisha. My passion for Odisha's cultural heritage has led me to successfully showcase the state's rich traditions through the state tableau during national Republic Day parades in New Delhi (2003, 2006, 2007, 2011 & 2013). I also designed the Odisha IITF Pavilion at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi in 2014 and 2015 as a design consultant for NIFT Bhubaneswar. My work has been recognized with several awards, including best presentation and best music in 2007 by the Government of India, and I was felicitated by Hon’ble C.M. Shri Naveen Patnaik at state-level functions in 2006 & 2007.

I am a pediatric surgeon by profession and a nature lover at heart

While my work in medicine demands precision, focus, and responsibility, my time in nature offers balance, calm, and renewal. I have a deep affection for animals and pets, and an enduring passion for wildlife and bird photography. Being outdoors allows me to slow down, observe, and reconnect with life beyond the hospital walls. Photography is my way of storytelling — capturing fleeting moments, subtle expressions, and the quiet beauty of the natural world that often goes unnoticed. Through my images, I seek to celebrate biodiversity, highlight the grace of birds and animals in their natural habitats, and share a sense of wonder with the viewer. I hope my photographs inspire curiosity, mindfulness, and a deeper respect for the delicate harmony between humans and nature.

As a senior pediatric and neonatal surgeon, my professional life has been dedicated to the delicate art and science of healing young lives

Yet, beyond the operating theatre, my heart finds its true rhythm in the vibrant world of birds and wildlife photography—a lifelong passion that has seamlessly intertwined with my commitment to medicine and travel. Driven by curiosity and an explorer's spirit, I have journeyed to every corner of India, braving forests, mountains, wetlands, and hidden sanctuaries in pursuit of rare avian species. Over the years, my camera has captured more than 900 bird species—a record that stands as both a personal milestone and a testament to India's remarkable biodiversity. Wildlife photography, to me, offers a powerful parallel to pediatric surgery: each moment demands patience, empathy, and an unwavering attention to detail. Through my lens, I aim to reveal the mesmerizing beauty, behavior, and ecological significance of our winged companions, inspiring a deeper respect for nature and conservation.

AJAYA MOHAN SAHU, aged about 57, a techie by profession and an artist at heart, I work in the IT industry where I build infrastructure solutions and engage with customers on emerging technologies

Yet, beyond the structured world of systems and architecture lies my truest escape—the quiet joy of observing nature and preserving its fleeting beauty through my lens. My journey with photography began in childhood with a simple point-and-shoot camera, a tool that first taught me the thrill of pausing time. In 2015, I stepped into serious photography when I bought my first DSLR, but it was during the pandemic amidst silence and stillness, I got an opportunity to refine my craft. Since then, I’ve been on a continuous path of learning, experimenting, and discovering the stories hidden in everyday frames. I love travelling—within India and across borders — landscapes, people, moments, textures… anything that stirs a sense of wonder finds a place in my collection. Photography, for me, is not merely a hobby; it is a way of seeing, feeling, and connecting with the world.

I am a trained cinematography professional, having completed a Diploma in Cinematography from BPFTIO, Cuttack

Early in my career, I assisted renowned photographer Mr. Dabboo Ratnani in fashion photography, gaining strong exposure to high-end visual aesthetics. I have worked as an Assistant Cameraman in Bollywood films such as Detail and Allah Ke Bandey. My journey in visual storytelling also includes experience as a freelance Video Journalist with Times Now and NEWS X, followed by full-time roles as a Video Journalist with TARANG TV, KANAK News, and MBC TV. Currently, I am working as a Photographer in the Archaeological Survey of India, where I specialize in archaeological documentation and heritage photography. Beyond professional assignments, I am deeply passionate about bird photography, landscapes, and human-life documentation, using my lens to capture stories of nature, culture, and everyday life.

I come from a family business background, but my heart has always belonged to nature

A passionate wildlife enthusiast, I try to preserve the beauty of the wild through my lens. My photography journey began in 2018 with a Canon 600D paired with a Tamron 150–600mm—simple gear, but a powerful beginning. Over the years, my love for birds, forests, and untouched landscapes has only grown stronger. Today, I shoot with the Sony A1 and 200–600mm, continuing my pursuit to document rare moments, natural behaviour, and the fragile magic of the wilderness. Every frame I capture is not just a photograph—it’s a memory saved, a story told, and a reminder of why nature deserves to be protected.

I began photographing at the age of twelve, starting with a Nikon F3 film SLR that belonged to my uncle During my postgraduate studies at the Indian Institute of Forest Management, my interest in nature deepened, and I began documenting it using a Nikon point-and-shoot camera

After completing my education, I took up photography again when I started working in the financial services space. I returned to photography while building my career as a finance professional, initially using a Nikon digital SLR to document motorcycle journeys through the Himalayas. That phase marked a renewed engagement with photography alongside travel. While I photograph across genres, much of my work today is shaped by frequent international travel related to my profession, which I use to focus on travel photography. Nature and architecture are my primary interests. In recent years, I have returned to film photography and begun building a collection of vintage, fully functional cameras and lenses, continuing to work with both analog and digital formats.

Born in 1958, started taking photographs when I was thirteen years old, with a Agfa box camera and Agfa Click III

Bought a National 35 rangefinder camera in 1980, and purchased a new Nikon FE 2 SLR in 1985. Got a Nikon EM SLR in between, and a Nikon F80 in 2001. Got my first digital SLR, the D750 in 2016, and the mirrorless Nikon Z7 in 2018. Presently shooting primarily with the Nikon Z9 and Z7, with approximately 40 lenses, including vintage lenses. Prime area of interest are landscapes, wildlife and heritage. Everything about Nature photography excites and inspires me.

A nursing professional by education, I have been passionately involved in education, teaching and mentoring future generations of nurses

Being surrounded by young minds, I have always strived to nurture in them not only compassion and humanity, but also a sense of wonder at the marvel that is the human body and the extraordinary life forms that surround us. My journey into photography has been fairly recent. Although I have owned a Nikon D5300 since 2017, I began photographing birds seriously only in late 2024. For me, photography is a way of expressing the beauty and wonder I see around me and sharing it with the world, while gently urging people to appreciate and safeguard the precious natural heritage we have been entrusted with. Nature and wildlife have always enthralled me. The quiet grace of life around us, its vivid colours and intricate forms, its unspoken strength, and the wisdom it holds continually draw me in. Photography allows me to pause, observe, and connect with this world more deeply. It captivates me, soothes me, and, in its own quiet way, reminds me of how deeply interconnected all life is.