ABOUT NILAYA

I am an Indian-American photographer, dancer and movement teacher. Based in LA and NYC, I work globally as a documentary and portrait photographer on a mission to provide female entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs of color, and indigenous wisdom keepers with portraiture and visual storytelling that helps them project their authentic voices to tell their own story, and connect with their audience to maximize the reach of their impact in the world.

PHOTO BY DJENEBA ADUAYOM

It was during my years as a professional touring dancer, surrounded and influenced by some of the most powerful creative minds in the industry, that I picked up a camera to document every wondrous moment backstage and around the world, and discovered my love of visual storytelling. As dance shifted into my soul's work, photography very quickly became my career. 

I believe the unadorned truth is the most beautiful. In my ongoing work as both photographer and dancer, my aim is to get out of the way and stay in service to what the moment is asking, to allow that unadorned truth to manifest not only in me, but in the people I work with. My desire is to help give rise to a world in which the true shapes of our souls are set free. 

I'd love to learn about what drives you, and I would love the opportunity to help you share your work with the world.