If you live in Toronto and have a social media account, you’ve likely come across his stunning photos of someone you know getting engaged or married. In the less than two years that Annuj Yoganathan of Impressions by Annuj has transitioned his photography hobby into a professional career, he has racked up numerous accolades and an ever growing list of clientele.
A finance graduate who once worked as a financial analyst and senior accountant, Annuj did not foresee the drastic turn his life and career would take. Born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, Annuj moved to Canada when he was four years old. Encouraged by his parents to pursue a stable career in medicine, law, engineering or finance, Annuj excelled in his studies and went on to university to study finance without much of a second thought.
Although he was encouraged by his parents to appreciate the fine arts such as mridangam, tabla and visual arts, Annuj understood early on in his childhood that taking interest in these subjects was to be solely as a hobby and nothing more.
After graduating from university and finding employment in the business world, it appeared as if Annuj had wholeheartedly bought into the idea of pursuing a traditional career and keeping his interest for the arts strictly as a personal fulfillment. However, a change of perspective would unexpectedly arise after getting married to his wife, Tanya, and receiving a DSLR camera on his birthday from his father-in-law.
As Annuj often expressed a dissatisfaction to Tanya about his lifestyle as an accountant, she suggested that he not only begin picking up his camera and take photos as an outlet from work, but conduct a themed photo shoot one weekend with some subjects. Inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s infamous 1950s Tobey beach shoot, Tanya convinced her friends to model for their impromptu project on a local Toronto beach. Posing with glass bottles of Coca Cola in hand, passersby were so amused and impressed by the shoot that they approached Annuj and Tanya to ask if they were shooting an advertisement for Coke.
Having felt an exhilaration from this experience unlike anything he had felt while working in his 9-5 job, Annuj began to slowly take on wedding shoots with the help of Tanya in his spare time. After the pair signed on to do their third wedding, Annuj decided that a career as an accountant was simply not for him and subsequently quit his job to take up photography full time.
Since Annuj’s parents had played an active role in steering his path towards becoming a successful young professional with a university degree and stable career, he was not surprisingly met with disapproval and concern once he told them of his change in career plans. To Annuj’s pleasure however, this would soon change as more and more people sought his work for their engagement and wedding shoots.
Annuj soon began catching the eye of several photography organizations including Fearless Photographers - where he is currently ranked in the top 5 for the province of Ontario, Wedding & Portrait Photographers International - where in the first year of submissions alone he moved from Member to Associate status, Canada Photo Convention - which has listed him for two years in a row as one of Canada’s Top 30 Under 30 Photographers, The BrideBox - where he was listed as one of the top 20 photographers in Toronto, and Professional Wedding Photographers of Canada - which has granted him several accolades including being named one of the Top 3 Photographers of 2014.
Although Annuj admits that turning photography into a career has not decreased his workload relative to his life as an accountant, he has found a passion and happiness in his current field of work that did not exist previously. Crafting photo shoots, building relationships which have turned into friendships with clients, shooting and editing photos, and traveling overseas to the likes of San Francisco, London, Paris, Delhi and Sydney – all with Tanya by his side – Annuj has built a life for himself that he never knew would be possible.
Annuj's advice to other Tamils who strive for a similar career in the fine arts but may be hesitant to go against the “traditional” grain?
“You have to follow your passion. Living your life for others is not the way to live. If you're fortunate enough to know what you want at a younger age, grab it and chase it. The earlier and the more you study and practice your craft, the more you will better yourself and become successful. Parents that are not initially on board with your career choice tend to come around if you work hard and become successful at what you do.”
For producing striking award-winning art and serving as a role model for Tamils in the fine arts community, Annuj has proven himself a worthy recipient of TC’s Most Influential Tamils of 2015.
If you would like to see more of Annuj’s breathtaking photos or make a business inquiry to Impressions by Annuj, be sure to check out the link below:
Related articles: Annuj Yoganathan – Top 30 Under 30 Wedding Photographers TC’s Top 5 Most Influential Tamils of 2015 TC’s Most Influential Tamils of 2014
