Hasaranga Pathirana a young, vibrant and enthusiastic photographer, still in his twenties, has established himself as a brand celebrity and event photographer.
He is already an official photographer for leading brands, known in the photography circle for his unique lighting effects and colourization. His love for photography started when he was in school. Hasaranga talks to the Youth Observer about his picturesque journey.
“My journey owes it to a humble beginning that goes way back to my school days in the media society which first instilled an interest in me, getting my hands on a camera as an ordinary schoolboy. It was like love at first sight and a part of me synced with photography right away. But little did I know back then that my entire future would revolve around this as it was not ideally a part of my life. The spark that began years ago, is what keeps me going today. I am amazed at where my passion has taken me, I have captured some of the most interesting moments of events and people’s lives and the pictures speak for themselves, each carrying a value that stands timeless.”
His forte is fashion photography, as he is constantly seen in all the high profile fashion events, and grooming himself as a future photographer of international fashion shows. “Fashion photography has been my forte throughout this journey and the inspiration drawn from international fashion photographers, the flavour, the art they bring into their work has always fascinated me and instilled my creativity, that inevitably shows through my work. Nevertheless, I have constantly striven to create exceptional work through events and lifestyle photography and portraits which stand exclusive along with my wedding photography and the goal to be a photographer who tops the game in all areas with the competency to deliver perfection, which inspires me every day”.
Filters are something Hasaranga loves to play with, and he has done it many times, “I do not believe in the excessive use of filters and colour effects that get in the way of a picture, it takes away the essential value. But I work tirelessly to enrich and enhance the colours captured, giving vibrancy and texture to each moment to bring out its very essence.”
Being in just his twenties, he has already established a name in the industry, and worked with some top brands in the country which work has taken him to many destinations, engaging with different personalities and helped to build a team over the years. “I feel privileged to have won the spotlight for the work I produced through esteemed brands such as, Spa Ceylon, Hi TV, Colombo Fashion Week, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week through the Academy of Design (AOD), Halpe Tea, INDI by Indi etc. The experience and exposure gained in working with outstanding personalities from different brands across a variety of industries and their expertise have helped me in my journey from the very fundamentals such as time management to the presentation of work, commitment and work ethic which is all embedded as vital for success. I am incredibly grateful for the countless opportunities given me by Danu Innasiththamby and Kalani Manamperi in building my business and reaching top brands I never thought I could, yielding my fullest potential through constant guidance. The enormous support from my parents and close friends have also pushed me through to persevere in the face of setbacks along the way.”
With years of experience, now he wants to give back to aspiring photographers and set standards in the industry,
“my philosophy of giving back and lifting youngsters, is not bound by any form of ulterior motive or reward other than the sheer satisfaction of seeing somebody stand on their feet, making it easier for them in the little ways I can by training them or even providing the equipment they struggle to get, given the hardships I endured during my initial years. After all, giving back has never made a person small.”
What tips would you like to share with young photographers? “It starts with you knowing the value of the piece of art you create. You should not let rupees and cents confine the overall service you provide, it’s all a matter of walking an extra mile, going above and beyond what is expected, that’s the one ingredient which can change the entire recipe of success for you. When your work stands out as exclusive, its perceived value in the mind of your customer inevitably scales higher, this is why you need to put your heart and soul into what you do, creating value beyond the image a customer has in mind”.
He is constantly busy with several shoots down the pipeline, and moving from place to place, with his team of photographers, “currently working on a few Spa Ceylon events, Commercial shoots for an International Mobile brand, along with shoots of fashion brands both local and international. There are a few exciting things brewing, as working on adding something special to events and lifestyle photography that would bring in more flavour to what we as a team bring to the table, keeping it irresistibly exquisite.”