Arantha Sirimanne has been time and time again recognised as one of Asia’s most coveted fashion photographers. After being a part of the industry for over 15 years, he was recently recognised as one of Kulture Hub’s South Asian photographers to look out for. His photographs have created iconic portraits in fashion editorials globally and is currently one of the highest demanded photographers in the region.
Speaking to The Morning Brunch, Sirimanne told us that he took to photography at a very young age. His career as a photographer began as he was working in the software industry. He revealed to us that that was the first time he picked up a camera professionally, and the rest is history. He described himself as a self-taught photographer who immersed himself in a world of light and objects and constant experimentation – a trait that he holds deeply to be the key to his creative success today and his drive for creating extraordinary pieces of art.
“Taking photographs is easy; creating exciting engaging moments requires a high definition of understanding and practice,” Sirimanne noted. He also highlighted that one of the key aspects of photography is handling light: “As long as you know how to adjust it according to your picture, everything else becomes really easy.”
Fashion photography doesn’t just require one to be skilled with a camera, it also requires an in-depth knowledge of the fashion industry, which Sirimanne has acquired over the years.
“You need a sense of fashion to be a photographer in this field. Even if you’re the best photographer out there, it will not matter unless you have an eye for fashion.”
His extraordinary eye for capturing the perfect shot enabled him to become the Exclusive Photographer for Miss Sri Lanka for Miss World in 2011 and again 2012. A title that propelled him into the international fashion editorial arena which he took on with laden enthusiasm and anticipation. He has also dabbled in shooting for fashion television and a myriad of international agencies. He was even bestowed with the role of Official Photographer for Miss Tourism Sri Lanka International – 2016.Talking about some of the fashion brands he’s worked with throughout the years, he listed Odel, Gflock, and Kelly Felder, commenting that he has worked with almost all the fashion brands in Sri Lanka. “I have helped these brands lift themselves off the ground and make a name for themselves. A fashion photographer has the ability to change the image of the company for the better.” A good photograph is all it takes to sell a product to a customer, and Sirimanne has nailed this artform down to a T. 
Not only has he done a tremendous amount of work in Sri Lanka, but he has travelled abroad for many fashion shoots as well. “Before Covid happened, I was travelling abroad quite often, but unfortunately, that has all come to a halt now. I’m currently focusing on my photography in Sri Lanka.” He has had the opportunity to shoot prestigious, recognised pageants in India, Egypt, Bali, and many more destinations. He described his most memorable shoot to have taken place in Seychelles, where everything, from the model, to the location, to how the photos turned out, was absolutely flawless.
For budding photographers, he advised them to first look within themselves and see if they have the passion for it: “There are a lot of photographers coming up these days, but very few people have a good idea of what it takes to be a photographer.” He noted that despite having high-end equipment, if one lacks the passion, you cannot make it in the field.
While Sirimanne takes on bigger, more creative fashion editorial projects globally, he continues to contribute to more glamorous pageants in Sri Lanka. He hopes that he can continue to pursue his love for photography both locally and abroad.
