Sonali Ohrie (b. 1995, London, UK).

I started off working for 3 years as an assistant and trainee with the richest living artist to date, the prolific Damien Hirst. Currently, I am proud to say I am Co-Signed by Rankin, the influential photographer and director who defined the aesthetics of fashion and popular culture in the 1990s and early 2000s.

A South Asian Female Photographer and Director, proud to be raised in a modern, spiritual Hindu-Punjabi household in England. Indian female perspectives, like my own, are very difficult to find in this modern era - which is still such a shocking claim.

I decided to quit full time employment to change that narrative and ensure my vision for the future that there will not be a lack of Asian female photographers in this modern world today, starting with her TEDx Talk on South Asian Image Makers.

I use my images (still or motion) as a catalyst for change, particularly in expressing themes of intimacy, perception and presence of power. Through punchy and impactful images, I portray authentic stories of all genders whilst challenging our perceptions in how we view each other.

The image titled ‘A Mother’s Journey’, won the Time Magazine Human Element award and Female in Focus Global Photographer Award with the renowned and world’s oldest photography institution, British Journal of Photography, where the work was exhibited both in London and NYC. With pride, I won these awards with my first ever professional portrait.

A huge turning point was in 2023. I’m so proud to share that my first video I made and directed was picked up by Vogue and Levi’s. This then led me to make my official Video Directing debut with Apple Inc.

I have worked with some of the most influential names of today such as the music sensation; Sabrina Carpenter, EGOT artist; John Legend, Grammy winner for featuring on the Best Country Album by Beyonce; Tanner Adell, first Indian American to lead a Disney Channel Original Movie; Avantika Vandanapu and legendary Bollywood and Hollywood actress and film producer; Priyanka Chopra.

Let’s embark on this journey together, make a difference and create our vision.