Today we’d like to introduce you to Kithma Niyangoda.
Hi Kithma, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Photography has been a part of my life for a while. It started back in the 5th grade with my little iPod. I loved taking photos of anything that caught my eye and experimenting with different filters and edits, trying to be “artsy”. At the time, it was just something I enjoyed doing for fun.
In high school, I got my first camera and spent most of my time photographing landscapes while traveling with my family. As I experimented more and upgraded my equipment, I became interested in portrait photography after I did a silly little photoshoot one day with my best friends in one of their backyards. What surprised me was that I never really set out to become a photographer. People simply began asking me to take their high school graduation photos, then college graduations, engagement sessions, and other milestones. Over time, what started as a hobby grew entirely through word of mouth.
Even now, photography still feels like a creative outlet. I’ve always (and still do) found it difficult to think of it as a “business” or side hustle because I genuinely enjoy creating memories for people I care about. I never even wanted to charge for my work at first. My best friend jokingly became my “manager” because she knew I had a hard time putting a price on something I loved doing and didn’t want people to take advantage of that.
Today, I’m also a physician assistant student, and while medicine and photography might seem like very different paths, both have taught me the importance of slowing down, paying attention, and connecting with people. What keeps me picking up my camera is the same reason I started years ago. There’s something really satisfying about seeing a moment through my own eyes, creating something tangible from it, and knowing that memory can be kept forever.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say my journey has been filled with major hardships. If anything, my biggest challenge has been believing in myself and recognizing the value of my work.
Like many other people, I have major imposter syndrome. Even when people compliment my photos or trust me to capture special moments in their lives, there’s still a part of me that questions whether I’m as talented as they think I am. I would get extremely nervous before every photoshoot worrying if the pictures would turn out okay. I never had anyone teach me how to take photos; I learned on my own and still to this day, I don’t even know all the technical terms of photography. Over time, though, I’ve learned that it’s okay to accept those compliments and recognize that the value of my work isn’t just in taking a technically good photo; it’s in preserving memories that people will cherish for years.
Looking back, I’m grateful that what started as a simple hobby has grown through the support of friends and family. Their confidence in me has often helped me see my own work in a different light.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph everything from high school and college graduations to graduate school milestones, engagement sessions, and personal portraits. While I enjoy all types of photography, I especially love documenting life’s milestone moments because those are the memories people will carry with them for years.
What I’m most proud of is that my photography has grown through referrals and word of mouth. It started as a hobby that gradually evolved as friends, classmates, and family members continued recommending me to others. Seeing people come back for different stages of their lives, or refer me to their friends and family, has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
I’m also especially proud of the work I’ve created while photographing Sri Lanka. Those images are some of my personal favorites because they combine my passion for photography with my connection to my family’s roots, allowing me to tell stories that are meaningful to me both personally and creatively.
I think what sets my work apart is the experience I try to create for people. I don’t know that I’m different because of my technical skills. I think I’m different because of the experience I try to create and the care I put into preserving meaningful moments. My goal is to make every session feel relaxed and genuine so people can be themselves in front of the camera. I want people to walk away not only with beautiful photos but also with an enjoyable experience.
Although I’m currently pursuing a career as a physician assistant, photography has remained an important creative outlet. Balancing both has taught me a great deal about time management, communication, and building relationships with people from all over.
How do you define success?
To me, success isn’t just about accomplishments or how much money I am making, but it is making a positive impact, maintaining meaningful relationships, and finding fulfillment in what I do. I define success in photography as creating images that evoke emotion or make people see something in a new way. Success isn’t just about technical perfection or recognition, but about capturing moments that have meaning and leave a lasting impact on the viewer. If a photo can make someone feel something or remember a moment, then it has succeeded.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kithsportraits
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kithma-niyangoda-b41605200/
