A Journey of Return and Rediscovery

Kamna Dhankhar’s journey into photography began during her undergraduate years in Pennsylvania, where solo travel sparked a quiet desire to document the world around her, strangers, streets, and fleeting light. What started as an instinct to hold on to moments gradually evolved into a deeper engagement with the medium.

She went on to study Photography and Urban Culture at Goldsmiths, University of London, refining her understanding of visual narratives and the relationship between people and place. At a pivotal moment in her life, she chose to pause her practice to embrace motherhood, a phase that, while away from the camera, shaped her perspective in more profound ways.

A Return to the Streets

In 2023, a workshop in Rome with Steve McCurry marked a turning point bringing her back to the streets with renewed clarity and intent. By early 2024, she made a conscious decision to return to photography, this time with a stronger sense of purpose.

Today, her practice is rooted in observation. Each outing becomes a search a quiet pursuit of moments defined by light, rhythm, and human presence. From the devotional energy of Kumbh Mela to the layered streets of Mumbai, and from the stillness of Japan to the vibrancy of Cuba and Morocco, her work reflects a sensitivity to the fleeting and the everyday.

For Kamna, the street is not spectacle, it is life unfolding.

Recognition and Evolving Practice

Her work has begun to gain recognition on international platforms, including being a finalist at Streets of the World (Rome Photo Lab, 2025) and being shortlisted for the WSP Artist Residency (2026).

At home, she is a mother and caregiver. On the street, she is an observer — attentive, grounded, and drawn to the small, honest moments that often go unnoticed. Her journey reflects resilience, reinvention, and a growing voice within contemporary photography.

Leica India Scholar

Kamna’s intuitive approach to photography and her ability to find meaning in everyday moments align closely with Leica’s philosophy of seeing beyond the obvious. As a Leica India Scholar, she represents a new generation of photographers bringing a distinct, personal perspective to visual storytelling while contributing to a more diverse and evolving photographic landscape. Working with the Leica M11-P and Leica Q3, her practice reflects a balance of precision and spontaneity allowing her to capture fleeting moments with clarity, depth, and authenticity.