Schakya Sinhara
In a world where photography often pursues perfection above all else, Schakya Sinhara offers something far more profound: emotion. His work transcends the purely visual, transforming light, color, and contrast into a language of feeling. Each image he creates carries a quiet intensity, inviting the viewer not only to see, but to experience. With a distinctive sensitivity to atmosphere and human presence, Schakya reveals the fragile space where vulnerability and strength coexist.
Guided by both instinct and discipline, and shaped by mentorship from some of the most respected figures in contemporary photography, Schakya has developed a visual signature that bridges fashion and fine art. His images balance precision with spontaneity, elegance with authenticity. Rather than imposing his vision, he enters into a dialogue with his subjects, allowing their essence to emerge naturally. In this exclusive interview, Schakya shares the emotional foundations of his work, his creative process, and the philosophy that continues to shape his evolving artistic journey.
1. Your work is known for its vibrant use of color, light, and contrast. How do these elements shape the emotional tone of your images?
Light and color are emotional languages to me. I use them to build atmosphere, to whisper rather than shout. Contrast brings rhythm, a kind of heartbeat, guiding the eye but also the mood. Together, they form the emotional skin of my images, that first layer through which you feel before you see.
2. How do you approach revealing the unique essence of a subject while maintaining your own artistic signature?
Every subject has a vibration, something silent that only appears when trust exists. My approach is to listen to that energy and filter it through my own perception. I never want to impose my universe, only to let it merge with theirs. The result becomes a dialogue, honest and instinctive.
3. You blend creativity with precision in your work. How do you balance spontaneity and control during a photoshoot?
I usually begin with words, ideas, sensations, or colors that form the core of a concept. From there, I build a moodboard that connects everything: light, textures, makeup, tone. But once on set, I let go. The plan becomes instinct. Spontaneity, even small “mistakes,” can bring unexpected authenticity. That’s what I look for, the fragile, human moment you can’t stage.
4. How has being trained by renowned photographers influenced your technique and visual philosophy?
My mentors taught me rigor and discipline, the ability to shape light and compose with intention. But beyond the technical aspects, some, like Nath-Sakura, opened me to art history and conceptual thinking. Others such as Lindsay Adler, Chris Knight, Gemmy Woud-Binnendijk, Félix Barjou, or Quentin Décaillet have inspired me with their mastery of storytelling, light, and emotion. I learned that rules matter only if you know how to break them, because photography, before being technique, is a language of emotion.
5. What role does emotion play in your creative process, from concept development to the final image?
Emotion is everything for me, both strength and vulnerability. When I was a nurse, I had to put emotions aside; now, as an artist, I have to face them. I create with them. They influence how I see, feel, and capture. Each image comes from that inner place, raw but honest. It’s my truest compass.
6. Fashion and fine art often intersect in your photography. How do you navigate the space between commercial intent and artistic expression?
I’ve always felt that fashion and fine art share the same roots. They both explore transformation, identity, and beauty in their own languages. I don’t separate them, they complete each other. Fashion brings precision and form; fine art gives depth and emotion. Together, they create the balance I love.
7. Can you describe your process when preparing for a shoot, from mood-boarding to execution?
It always begins with a feeling, sometimes a single word, a color, or an atmosphere that stays in my mind. Then I build around that: textures, references, light, styling, makeup. Preparation helps me set the rhythm, but once the camera is in my hands, I let instinct take over. I want the shoot to breathe and feel spontaneous, not rigid.
8. What makes a photoshoot feel successful to you—beyond technical perfection?
A shoot feels successful when there’s real synergy between everyone involved. When the atmosphere is light, respectful, and full of good energy, when everything flows. Each person brings their own spark, and together we build something greater than any of us could alone. It’s like a fluid exchange where ideas, emotions, and intuition merge naturally. Those are the moments that feel magical to me, human, creative, and deeply genuine.
9. How do you adapt your visual style to meet a client’s vision while preserving the integrity of your work?
Collaboration begins with listening, not to imitate, but to understand what emotion is expected. I reinterpret that through my own style and sensibility. I don’t really see myself as a service provider; I’m an artist first. My work comes from instinct and emotion rather than execution. There are many photographers, but what I bring is my inner vision, something that vibrates from within. That authenticity is what makes each collaboration meaningful.
10. Looking ahead, how do you hope your photography will evolve, and what kinds of projects excite you most at this stage of your career?
I want my work to keep finding its rhythm naturally, by staying curious and open. I’m drawn to collaborations that unite photography with other creative worlds: fashion, flowers, or materials like metal, fabric, or wood. What excites me most is when photography becomes more than an image, when it feels alive, textured, and imperfect, like a story captured between stillness and motion. For me, each photo carries a narrative, an emotion, a trace of life. It’s close to cinema in that way: every frame tells something intimate and real. I don’t want to force a path; I just want to explore and grow through genuine encounters, letting emotion guide my lens.
Schakya Sinhara’s work stands as a quiet yet powerful testament to the emotional depth photography can hold. His images do more than capture appearances—they reveal presence, atmosphere, and truth. With a rare balance of technical mastery and intuitive sensitivity, he transforms each collaboration into a moment of shared authenticity.
As he continues to explore new creative territories, Schakya remains guided by emotion, curiosity, and human connection. His photography reminds us that the most meaningful images are not defined by perfection, but by honesty. Through his lens, we are invited into a world where light becomes feeling, and where every photograph is not just seen, but deeply felt.
Model: Jem Athéna Wacheux @_.jem._w_
Photographer: Schakya Sinhara @schapicshow
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