Meet Asha, Telangana Trans Power Photographer Who Captures Hope

Asha, a transwoman from Telangana, got candid with SheThePeople about choosing photography as a career path, opening her own photo studio, and navigating it all in a society that's still resistant to chance.   

Asha's Story 

Read Asha's story of converting challenges into triumph in her own words

“Choosing photography as a career was not easy. I faced a fair share of challenges from society. Being a transgender woman, renting a place for my studio was the biggest challenge. People would not give me their shops as they doubted if I’d be able to pay the rent. But since my goal was not to stop, I still managed my way ahead.

Initially, clients doubted my work. Some would not work with me; some would put restrictions. But my hard work didn't go unnoticed, as I found recognition in my field and got events to shoot from nearby places. Why should we live like this? We should come forward. I want to be an independent woman and my identity shouldn’t be something that holds me back. 

I have faced both good and bad. I have always received all of it with an open heart, but I never wanted to stop. I knew I had some skills and began clicking pictures with my lens, thinking this would be a step forward for the people in my community.

With grace, I am proud that I opened my own studio now, where I work with two more people, Goldie and Chanti. It has been a big achievement for me - to have something of my own. All this while, my family has been my biggest support. They were the happiest when they learned about my idea for the photo studio. When I ask myself, when did I feel the most proud? It was the time when IPS, IAS, and collectors came for the inauguration of my studio. Indeed, the support of the local bodies kept me going. 

Other than my studio, I also work at an NGO where we support the transgender community - empower, support and most importantly, push them to lead a life of respect. I try to balance both my jobs as per the wedding seasons. That’s how I am able to support people, my studio, and myself.

When I look at the bigger picture, I envision establishing a good studio with premium equipment so that people in my area can come to me instead of travelling to Hyderabad to get a photoshoot done. But most importantly, I want people like me to not stop. I want to empower my community by setting an example; You can do what you want if you have the will to and the people to support you.”