Name: Nikhat Fatima | Designation: Head of Client Services, Asia-Pacific | Company: Broadridge Financial Solutions | Location: Sydney
(April 30, 2025) With a childhood in the small town of Jamshedpur, award-winning amateur photographer Nikhat Fatima still cherishes memories of playing under the open skies, attending school Scouts and Guides camps, and traveling to Hyderabad in the summer to visit her grandparents. She recalls, “Even as I grew up, I found myself fascinated by nature and the visual arts as we travelled to places like Darjeeling and Nepal.”
Traveling to different places like the jungles of Kanha, the valleys of Ooty, and the coastal areas of Maharashtra by road, she soaked in the diverse landscapes and cultures. Little wonder that, when she moved to Sydney in 2008, she sought to explore the beauty of Australia and capture it in her images.
Nikhat Fatima
While she works with Broadridge Australia in Sydney and has her hands full managing work and family life, she still finds time to follow her passion. From nature and landscapes to macro photography, Nikhat dabbles in a kaleidoscope of genres, and her work has been displayed at the Blank Wall Gallery in Athens, at the Indian Photography Festival in Hyderabad, and in electronic media at ABC Australia. She was also commended as the ‘Photographer of the Year” by Australian Photography Magazine.
Key Insights
- Balances a full-time job with a serious passion for photography
- Manages time carefully between work, family, and creative pursuits
- Uses photography as a personal and artistic outlet
- Draws strength from family support and community engagement
- Finds motivation in recognition and her father’s encouragement
Capturing the world with her lens
Even as a student, Nikhat was fascinated with the world of photography. In high school, she completed a photography course where she also developed the films she shot in the dark lab—a memory that still fills her visage with a smile. She credits her father, Mohammed Mahmood Hussain, who has been her vocal supporter and sounding board for her images since childhood.
As she grew up and was consumed by the daily routines of her career and home, she was still an explorer at heart. “I continued photography as a hobby and bought an SLR several years after coming to Sydney. I remember learning photography in my spare time on my laptop and making calendars of my images to use at home. I have shot almost all kinds of different genres—wildlife, landscape, macro, night photography,” she tells Global Indian.
Photography by Nikhat Fatima
Balancing her job and a young family with photography can be challenging at times, but Nikhat has managed to find a way to make it work. She adds, “I began to enter my pictures in competitions years after coming to Sydney; most serious competitions were paid, and I did not have the time to enter frequently. It requires discipline and time management, but it’s worth it to pursue my passion alongside my career.”
The photography process
Nikhat’s process of taking photographs starts with finding inspiration in everyday life. One look at her colourful Instagram feed, and one can easily discern that she is particularly drawn to nature, landscapes, and capturing beauty. She adds, “I try to observe the world around me with a curious eye, looking for unique perspectives and moments worth documenting. Once I have an idea or inspiration, I plan my shoots, scout locations if necessary, and then immerse myself in the process of capturing images. Post-processing is also an important part of my workflow, where I enhance and refine the captured images to match my vision.”
In a world saturated with photographers, it can be difficult to stand out and create something that is truly distinctive. Truly captivating photographs often go beyond technical perfection and evoke emotions or tell a compelling story. The uniqueness of Nikhat’s images lies in her personal vision and storytelling ability. By focusing on her innate style and artistic vision, she creates images that stand out amidst the vast sea of photographs online.
“The major challenges I face in my artistic journey are focusing on a particular genre and also finding my unique voice. However, with perseverance and continuous learning, I have been able to overcome these challenges and develop my own style,” she notes, adding, “It is very humbling to receive recognition for my art. It pushes me to do better and make my family proud, especially my father, who has always encouraged his kids to explore their talents.”
Photography by Nikhat Fatima
Juggling a career, photography and family
Nikhat lives in a joint family in Sydney with her family, her parents, and her sister’s family. “There is no comparison to the life in both places (India and Australia), but certainly being among your own people, culture, and food makes me feel like this is home. My travels have continued here, and the beautiful nature continues to inspire.”
Being surrounded by such beauty has definitely inspired and influenced her photography. Sydney offers a diverse range of landscapes, from stunning beaches to lush parks and vibrant cityscapes. She agrees and adds, “Definitely, living in Sydney has inspired my photography. The mix of cultures, architecture, and natural beauty constantly provides me with new opportunities to capture unique images. Additionally, being part of the photography Facebook community in Sydney has allowed me to learn and grow through collaborations, workshops, and exhibitions.”
Nikhat Fatima
Juggling family life, kids, and her passion for photography can be challenging, but it’s all about finding a balance. Nikhat schedules dedicated time for both family activities and photography, ensuring that each aspect of her life receives the attention it deserves. She notes, “It requires effective time management and prioritization, but it is immensely rewarding to be able to pursue my passion while also being present for my loved ones.”
Her goals for the future include continuing to refine and develop her photography skills, exploring new genres and techniques, and showcasing her work in solo exhibitions.