LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON – DINETH FONSEKA
Studio 3000 needs no introduction as a wedding photographer in Sri Lanka – with decades of experience to count for they set the bar high for photographers at the turn of the millennium. Started by the Dynamic Duo Dinuka and Dulani Fonseka in 1999, they set their sights on breaking away from traditional photography studios and built a brand-name in line with the changing times. While they specialize in all types of photography from commercial shoots to portraiture, they soon found that Wedding and Event photography was their niche.
Interestingly, we now write of young Dineth Fonseka, the eldest child and only son of founders Dinuka and Dulani. At 16 years, Dineth has stepped into the shoes of his parents, taking on the world of wedding photography by himself. Speaking to Dineth on a Tuesday evening at their Studio in Bambalapitiya, we find out that he is an O/L student. He schools at the Colombo School of Art and Sciences, having switched schools recently, from St. Peter’s College, Colombo.
Digging into the bottom of his beginnings, we asked Dineth about his first event. A poruwa wedding scheduled for the 18th of May 2018, had young Dineth entering the field armed with over 17 years of experience and knowledge imparted on him by his parents. Although he had enough and more exposure and experience shooting at weddings with his dad, “that day I looked back and realized I didn’t have my father as my shadow”, he tells us. Soon after, Dineth took over family shoots and portraiture which was his mother’s realm.
When asked about how he works on perfecting his skill, Dineth tells us that rather than following photographers he prefers to follow his own style, keeping in line with current trends. He credits his exposure to wildlife photography for having taught him how to capture a moment and freeze it in time, before it’s lost forever. He is confident in telling us that to be a great photographer, one must cultivate qualities like time management and social skills, specifically when working in the wedding industry. Dineth shows us the importance of these in order to ensure a couple is completely at ease on their wedding day and are not rushed or taken away from enjoying the festivities.
We asked Dineth if he has any favorite gear he likes to use. “The Canon is what I use”, he says but displaying wisdom beyond his years he is quick to add that what sets a professional photographer apart from anyone else, is his ability to capture a photograph without relying entirely on technology and equipment. To this end he is flexible when meeting needs of brides and grooms and achieving their preferred effect on the final work, but he firmly believes that a photograph subject to editing, would in essence be the work of the editor.
Entrusting the all-important responsibility of photographing a wedding to a teenager would throw a lot of couples off. However Dineth says that while most of them are assured of the quality of output due to the reputation of the brand, he has also had clients who appreciate his raw talent. He shares with us a strong testimonial he received a few years back where he covered an engagement of a couple as his third event handled alone, and then was entrusted with the opportunity of doing their micro-wedding. We are told that not only was the couple elated with his work but also had been surprised with how much he had improved over the span of just two years.
Loving the stories shared by him, we prompted Dineth for his most memorable photo shoot. Memories are many he tells us, but chooses to share with us the time he got to recreate one of his Dad’s own masterpieces – an award winning picture, in 2018. He goes on to say that he thinks he did justice to it, and believes he couldn’t have made his father more proud than accepting the challenge of recreating his own work.
Dineth shares with us a few plans he has both for himself and the brand. While he has several new concept ideas in mind he also intends on introducing new state-of-the-art-technology for the brand. As for making a name of his own, he offers a sneak-peek on his latest pet-project; a blog which he hopes to launch soon. It is apparent that the sky is the limit for this youngster and there is no doubt that he will soon take the industry by storm. Do follow Dineth’s photography on his Instagram handle @dineth.official and Dineth’F photography on Facebook.