WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY CELEBRATION

22 AUGUST, 2026 | SIGMA GALLERY, KOTTIVAKKAM

FRAMES OF BELONGING:

Photography, Community & Connection

WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY AT SIGMA PHOTO INDIA

Join us for an inspiring evening featuring:

- Artist Talk by Ramya Sriram

- Panel Discussion: Beyond the Feed: Photography in the Age of Algorithms & AI with Anita Sathiam, R. Prasanna Venkatesh, Naveenraj Gowthaman, moderated by Priya Banik

- Sigma Lens Experience Zone

- Community Launch & Photographer Meet-up

22 August, 2026

16:00 – 20:00

Sigma Gallery, Kottivakkam, Chennai

Entry is FREE

Registration is mandatory

Come celebrate photography, meet fellow creatives, and be part of the beginning of an exciting new community initiative.

SEEN. FELT. FRAMED.

The art of portraits and storytelling

ARTIST TALK BY RAMYA SRIRAM

What transforms a portrait from a photograph into a story? Is it the light, the composition, the lens—or the human connection behind the frame?

In this inspiring artist talk, Ramya Sriram, an internationally award-winning travel photographer and National Geographic-recognised visual storyteller, shares her journey of documenting people, cultures, and traditions across India and beyond.

Through a collection of powerful images and real-world experiences, she explores how portraits can evoke emotion, preserve heritage, and communicate stories that transcend language. The session will also touch upon the creative process—from observation and empathy to lens choice, perspective, and visual storytelling techniques.

Whether you are an aspiring photographer, an enthusiast, or someone passionate about people and culture, this talk will offer fresh perspectives on creating portraits that are not only seen, but deeply felt and remembered.

Because every meaningful portrait begins long before the shutter pressed

22 August | 17:00
Sigma Gallery, Kottivakkam, Chennai
Entry is free — registration mandatory.

RAMYA SRIRAM

Documentary Photographer

Ramya Sriram, is an award-winning travel, street, and cultural documentary photographer, visual storyteller, mentor, and social worker with over 20 years of community service. Alongside her photography, she have worked to raise awareness about child sexual abuse and supported children affected by HIV and single mothers through advocacy and community initiatives. Her contributions to social service have been recognized by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

My work documents India's diverse cultural heritage, indigenous communities, and disappearing traditions, using photography to preserve history, inspire empathy, and create meaningful conversations. I am passionate about mentoring aspiring photographers and storytellers through online and offline workshops, portfolio mentoring, and corporate training programs for organizations including HP and Naturals Salons. I have served as a Photography Mentor and Trainer at Cinema Factory Academy, Chennai, and conducted workshops for the Media Training Centre under MSME, Government of Tamil Nadu. I have also served as a judge for photography competitions and as a guest lecturer at Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Cinema Factory Academy, and Velammal Educational Institutions, where I share my experiences in documentary photography, visual storytelling, and creative careers.

You can check her work here

ANITA SATHIAM

Documentary Photographer

Anita Sathiam is a self-taught documentary photographer, social entrepreneur from Pune, at present in Chennai my work is driven by compassion and purpose. She began her photography journey in 2013 after overcoming a pre-cancer diagnosis, transforming a personal challenge into a lifelong mission to document lives and create social impact.

Through photography, she helped rebuild 6 homes for families affected by the 2015 Thane Cyclone in Cuddalore, documented the lives of cancer patients, and collaborated with legendary filmmaker Shri Adoor Gopalakrishnan as a still photographer.

She later joined projects that celebrate people, culture, and social justice.

Recognized among Chennai’s 50 Inspiring Women (2021) and Honoured with the Vikatan Award (2024), her work has been featured in leading publications.

Today, as a business entrepreneur, she continues to empower people through photography and meaningful community initiatives.

You can check her work here

NAVEENRAJ GOWTHAMAN

Photographer

Naveenraj Gowthaman is an independent photographer from the vibrant southern regions of India, with over a decade of dedicated experience in visual storytelling. His extensive work spans diverse terrains and cultures, transcending mere documentation to explore the profound connections between people, their unique traditions, and the shared narratives that bind communities together. Naveen's artistic philosophy is deeply rooted in the human experience, believing that every individual carries captivating stories within them, particularly reflected in their eyes, which he describes as 'vast oceans of untold tales.

His photographic approach emphasizes emotional depth and authentic human connection, resulting in works that serve as both visual experiences and intimate windows into the soul of the people he photographs. Whether capturing bustling marketplaces, quiet personal moments, or cultural celebrations, Naveen demonstrates a remarkable ability to find beauty in everyday life, creating images that connect viewers to the deeper stories and emotions of his subjects.

Naveen's distinctive vision has garnered significant recognition within the photography community. His work has been featured in both local and international publications, showcasing his unique style and meticulous attention to detail. Additionally, he has participated in several group exhibitions across India, establishing his reputation as a photographer whose technical excellence is matched by his commitment to meaningful storytelling and his dedication to capturing life's varied moments with sensitivity and artistic integrity.

You can check his work here

BEYOND THE FEED.

Photography in the Age of Algorithms & AI

PANEL DISCUSSION - ANITA SATHIAM, NAVEENRAJ GOWTHAMAN, R PRASANA VENKATESH, MODERATED BY PRIYA BANIK

Every photograph today passes through more than just a lens, it moves through algorithms that decide what gets seen, how it's edited, and sometimes, whether AI had a hand in making it at all. As World Photography Day brings the community together, this panel turns the camera on the industry itself.

Join Anita Sathiam, Naveenraj Gowthaman, and R Prasana Venkatesh, three photographers navigating this shift in very different ways; in conversation with moderator Priya Banik, as they unpack what it means to make and share images in an age of feeds, filters, and machine intelligence.

Expect an honest conversation on questions photographers are already living with: Where does AI genuinely help the craft? How do algorithms shape what we shoot, and what we think is "good"? And in a world of infinite, instant images, what still makes a photograph worth making?

Whether you're a working photographer, a student, or simply someone who scrolls past hundreds of photos a day, this is a conversation about what happens next.

22 August | 18:00 
Sigma Gallery, Kottivakkam, Chennai
Entry is free — registration mandatory.

R PRASANA VENKATESH

Commercial Photographer & Educator

R. Prasana Venkatesh is a Chennai-based commercial photographer, filmmaker, TEDx speaker, and MESC Certified Photography Master Trainer with over 26 years of professional experience in portrait, advertising, fashion, and product photography.

He has trained 7,000+ photographers through workshops and masterclasses across India and Sri Lanka . Prasana has worked with leading brands including Rolls Royce Motor Cars,Sony India, Phoenix MarketCity, Svatma, Wagh Bakri Chai, Jeyachandran Gold House, Jeyachandran Textiles, Adyar Ananda Bhavan, Aspire Systems, Kalakshetra Foundation, and others.

Prasana is a Certified Master Trainer and Master Assessor under the Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC). He is also a brand ambassador for Godox and continues to educate photographers through workshops, commercial assignments, and online training.

His work has appeared in national photography publications, and he has served as the official photographer for the visits of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (2011) and President of India Pranab Mukherjee (2013) to Kalakshetra, Chennai.

As a photography educator and content creator, his Tamil YouTube channel has grown to 123,000+ subscribers with over 8.5 million views, making it one of the leading photography education platforms in the region.

You can check his work here