World Wildlife Day: Meet India’s Leading Female Wildlife Photographers

On World Wildlife Day, let’s celebrate the women who stepped into the wild with a camera and never looked back, turning their passion into powerful storytelling. From the roar of a tiger to the flutter of a rare bird, these Indian photographers are capturing nature’s most powerful moments, proving that the wild belongs to them just as much as it does to their male counterparts.

World Wildlife Day: Meet India’s Leading Female Wildlife Photographers

Rathika Ramasamy

Rathika Ramasamy has made a mark in wildlife photography, gaining acclaim as India’s first female wildlife photographer.  Best known for her striking bird photography, she has dedicated over 21 years to capturing the wonders of the wild. Her work has been widely published, both nationally and internationally, and she remains actively involved in conservation efforts.

In a conversation with Your Story, Rathika shared her deep-rooted passion, saying, “Birds were my first love. Their colours and movements during migration are just pure grace and beauty.” 

Reflecting on her journey, she said, “I had totally fallen in love with wildlife and I have never looked back since. Wildlife is like a magnet, the closer you are to it, the strongest it attracts you, and the harder it is to get away.”

Explore her work here.

Aarzoo Khurana

Aarzoo Khurana, a former advocate, found her true passion in wildlife photography. A fateful visit to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary sparked a mission that took her across all 55 tiger reserves, capturing the soul of the country’s wildlife. Through her work, she not only documents nature but also champions conservation, urging communities to adopt eco-friendly practices and protect the fragile balance between development and the environment.

Explore her work here.

Aishwarya Sridhar

Aishwarya Sridhar discovered her passion for photography at 12 while accompanying her father on forest treks. Over the years, she honed her skills and went on to win the ‘Highly Commended’ award at the Wildlife Photography of the Year 2020. As a photographer, writer, filmmaker, and conservationist, she uses her work to create awareness about nature. 

She believes, "Be it documentaries or photos, both are mediums to tell stories of impact, where every frame not only makes people fall in love with wildlife but also instills hope to protect the beauty left on our planet!"

Explore her work here.

Nisha Purushothaman

Nisha Purushothaman is known for her striking portraits of big cats and intimate family moments in nature. Her journey began with a fascination for India’s vibrant birdlife, which soon evolved into a deep passion for wildlife photography. 

After spending years in Dubai, she now calls British Columbia home. She believes in the power of photography to shift perspectives, hoping her work inspires change in how people see and protect wildlife.

Explore her work here.

Aparupa Dey

Aparupa Dey sees composition as the soul of photography. She strives to capture moments that showcase both the beauty of a species and its harmony with its natural habitat. Her deep understanding of animal and bird behavior makes her work stand out. Talking about wildlife, she says, "Every aspect of wildlife is exciting and unique to each other. Even if you go to the same place to capture the same species, you would return with some different photos every day, and that is exciting."

"Every moment is precious, every action is precious... India, being a megadiverse nation and housing around 10% of the world's species, has never failed to excite me in my journey."

Explore her work here.