Through their Lens: Photography Journeys of SMU Online Students

Meet the three Sikkim Manipal University (SMU)‘s online learners who capture beauty through their lens turning ordinary moments into extraordinary stories.

For Prerna, Injamamul, and Ananya, photography is not just clicking a button, it is the art of freezing time. At SMU, creativity thrives beyond classrooms. Our learners find beauty is the simplest moments of life, keep reading!

Photography is the art of freezing emotions in time.

Prerna Siddharth Capturing Sacred Joys

Online MA (Sociology), Batch 4

“I am a storyteller at heart,” says Prerna, who works as a media professional in the non-profit sector while pursuing her Online MA in Sociology. Her photography is deeply inspired by everyday human experiences across India. “I get inspired by stories in the fleeting moments of life, which people living them may not notice, but the camera does.”

She describes her photography style in three words: Life, People, and Everyday Joys.

Her favorite collection, ‘Sacred Joys,’ is centered around the theme of spirituality and happiness. “People often forget spirituality is more than just rites and rituals,” she explains. “The main purpose of spirituality, for me, is to give people the joy of connecting to something bigger than the universe. A kind of joy that comes through the simplest moments in life.”

For Prerna, photography isn’t just a hobby; it’s fulfilment. “It is more than a medium of art or personal expression for me. It is a way to make people who see my photos feel what I felt while capturing them.” Balancing studies and photography feel natural to her. “The best part of photography is that it is not a chore. My camera is with me wherever I go. Indoors I study, outdoors I click photos.”

Injamamul Haque Capturing Echoes of Moments, Painted in Light

Online MCA, Batch 4

“I draw inspiration from everyday life: nature, people’s emotions, travel stories, and even small unnoticed details around me,” says Injamamul. His photography style? Natural. Storytelling. Timeless.

His favorite shot is a striking silhouette of a man riding a bicycle across a bridge at sunset. “The golden sun aligns perfectly above the rider, and the reflection in the still water below creates a mirror image that doubles the beauty of the scene.”

Photography, for him, is deeply emotional. “It’s not just about taking a picture—it’s about telling a story, creating a memory, and sharing how I see the world. It feels like painting with light, but with real emotions.” On balancing studies and passion, he says: “I treat photography as my creative break from studies. While academics need focus and discipline, photography gives me freedom and peace of mind. I plan my schedule in a way that allows me some time to go out and shoot. It keeps me motivated and balanced.”

Ananya Sharma’s Mi Feline Familia

Online BA, Batch – 3

Ananya’s photographs tell stories closer to home, quite literally. “I’m in my first year of BA at SMU, and my photography collection is of the cats in my apartment building in Bengaluru,” she shares.

Her series, titled ‘Mi Feline Familia’ (Spanish for My Feline Family), is deeply personal. “Over time, these cats became a part of my dear ones. The larger ginger cat, Don, passed away a while ago. He was the father of the others in the pictures – the siblings and half-siblings, including the smallest kitten.” Photography, for Ananya, is an intimate way of storytelling. “I suppose for the most part I get inspired by what is already around and accessible to me. Photography has become one of my most used mediums to depict narratives as I see them.”

Three Perspectives, One passion

What ties these photographers together is more than a love for the camera, it’s their belief that a single frame can hold emotions, stories, and meaning beyond words. From Prerna’s Sacred Joys to Injamamul’s golden-hour silhouettes and Ananya’s feline family, their work reminds us that beauty isn’t rare. It’s everywhere, waiting to be seen.

At Sikkim Manipal University, learning is more than academics. It is about discovering who you are and what you love. Learners like Prerna, Injamamul, and Ananya show that passion blended with creativity and curiosity can make every moment beautiful. At SMU Online, every student is encouraged to find their voice and share it with the world.