ABOUT ME
VIRAJ WEERASOORIYA,
PHOTOGRAPHER BASED IN SRI LANKA
Welcome to my corner of the wild! I’m Viraj Weerasooriya, a wildlife and nature photographer with a deep-rooted passion for capturing the beauty of the natural world. I invite you to join me on a journey that merges my career in IT with my love for wildlife photography.
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My story begins in Sri Lanka, a land of breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity that ignited my lifelong fascination with wildlife. During my teenage years, from the ages of 15 to 22, I spent countless hours roaming the national parks, where my heart raced at the sight of wild elephants gracefully moving through the lush greenery. While I admired all facets of nature, those encounters with the gentle giants left an indelible mark on my spirit and set the stage for my passion.
In 2003, my career took me to Indonesia, where I immersed myself in the stunning ecosystems of Java, Sumatra, Bali, Borneo, and West Papua. For nearly two decades, I nurtured my photography skills while balancing my professional life in IT. During this time in Indonesia, I truly learned to see the world through a different lens—one that sought to capture the beauty and rawness of nature in all its forms.
Despite the richness of the Indonesian wilderness and nature, my heart always remained tethered to the leopards of Sri Lanka. I frequently returned home, camera in hand, eager to document their elusive grace and mysterious behavior. In 2021, I returned to Sri Lanka permanently, fully committing myself to wildlife and nature photography while contributing to conservation efforts. Collaborating with dedicated conservationists, I became involved in leopard identification initiatives, passionately working to safeguard the future of this iconic species.
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Every photograph I take tells a story—each click of the shutter is a moment frozen in time, capturing the elegance of wildlife and the urgent need for its conservation. My journey in photography began in the late 1990s, armed with borrowed SLR gear and an insatiable curiosity. As technology evolved, so did my craft. From my first Minolta DiMAGE Z1 to the advanced Sony A9 Mirrorless full-frame camera I use today, my equipment reflects my commitment to unveiling the untamed beauty of the natural world.
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To me, the wilderness is more than just a backdrop; it’s a sanctuary where authenticity prevails. With my lens, I seek the hidden narratives of nature—the stealth of a leopard in the underbrush, the grace of a bird in flight, and the quiet resilience of life in its many forms. Each photograph is a tribute to the breathtaking beauty of the wild and serves as a call to action for conservation.
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I invite you to explore my portfolio on my website, where I hope you'll feel the same wonder and respect for our planet that fuels my work. Your thoughts and feedback inspire me to continue capturing the fleeting, precious moments of wildlife for future generations. Together, let’s celebrate the beauty of the natural world and advocate for its preservation. Thank you for being a part of this journey!
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“The more pictures you see, the better you are as a photographer.” - Robert Mapplethorpe.