About Pradeep Raj Onta

I am Pradeep Raj Onta a Nepali photojournalist, educator, and media professional with more than 18 years of experience in photojournalism and visual storytelling. Born in Bungkot, Gorkha, my roots are deeply connected to Nepal's rich cultural and historical heritage. Although my family originally hailed from Thamel, Kathmandu, my grandfather chose to settle in Gorkha, where my childhood was shaped by the beauty of rural Nepal, traditional values and a deep appreciation for community life. These early experiences nurtured my curiosity about people, culture and history, ultimately inspiring my passion for photography.

For more than two decades, Kathmandu has been my home and the center of my professional journey. Living in Nepal's capital has provided me with countless opportunities to witness the country's social, political, cultural and economic transformation through the lens of a camera. Photography for me is more than a profession it is a lifelong commitment to documenting history, preserving truth and telling stories that words alone cannot express.

Today, I proudly serve as a Senior Photojournalist at the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Nepal's National News Agency, headquartered at Singha Durbar Plaza, Kathmandu. As part of Nepal's official national news agency, I cover a broad range of assignments, including national politics, government affairs, parliamentary sessions, diplomatic events, elections, natural disasters, cultural festivals, sports, tourism, environmental issues and major national and international events. My photographs are distributed across newspapers, television channels, online media, and international news platforms, helping document Nepal's evolving history through accurate and impactful visual journalism.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of photographing numerous historic moments involving heads of state, prime ministers, international dignitaries and significant public events. My work has taken me across Nepal from the Himalayan mountains to the Terai plains as well as to several countries abroad, allowing me to document people, cultures and events from diverse perspectives. Every assignment reinforces my belief that a single photograph has the power to inform, inspire, influence public opinion, and preserve history for future generations.

Beyond newsroom responsibilities, I am deeply committed to education and professional development. As a photography trainer and mentor, I have conducted numerous workshops, seminars and capacity-building programs for journalists, students, and photography enthusiasts. At RSS, I regularly provide professional training on photojournalism, news photography, visual storytelling, ethics, caption writing, digital workflow, photo editing and emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism.

My educational initiatives extend well beyond the media sector. I have delivered specialized training programs for schools, colleges, universities, government agencies and local governments, security forces including the Nepal Army and Nepal Police, and various public and private institutions. Through these programs, I strive to equip participants with both the technical skills and ethical understanding necessary to use photography as an effective tool for communication, documentation and social awareness.

In addition to my professional career, I currently serve as the President of the National Forum of Photojournalists (NFPJ) Nepal. Under my leadership, the organization works to strengthen Nepal's photojournalism community by promoting professional standards, advocating for photographers' rights, organizing national and international training programs, encouraging innovation, and fostering collaboration among media professionals. I believe that strong professional organizations are essential for protecting press freedom, promoting ethical journalism and creating opportunities for future generations of visual storytellers.

As President of NFPJ Nepal, I have actively led initiatives focused on professional development, tourism promotion through photography, international collaboration, AI literacy for journalists, youth engagement, and photographic exhibitions. I strongly believe that photography plays a vital role in preserving Nepal's heritage while also connecting the country to the global community.

Throughout my career, I have received recognition for my contributions to photojournalism and have been entrusted with documenting several nationally significant events. These experiences have strengthened my dedication to maintaining the highest standards of journalistic integrity, accuracy, and impartiality.

Photography continues to evolve with technological advancements, and I embrace innovation while remaining committed to the core values of journalism. Whether documenting breaking news, humanitarian crises, cultural traditions, environmental challenges, or moments of celebration, my objective remains the same: to create truthful, meaningful, and timeless visual records.

For me, every photograph represents more than a captured moment—it is a testimony of human experience. Behind every image lies patience, preparation, empathy, and responsibility. My mission is not only to record history but also to inspire others to see the world with curiosity, compassion, and honesty.

Looking ahead, I remain committed to advancing photojournalism in Nepal through education, mentorship, international collaboration, and technological innovation. I aspire to continue empowering the next generation of photographers while ensuring that photography remains one of the most powerful mediums for truth, storytelling, public awareness and positive social change.

Awards & Achievements

Throughout my professional journey in photojournalism, I have been honored with several prestigious awards and recognitions for my dedication to visual journalism, media excellence, and professional leadership. These achievements reflect my commitment to documenting history with accuracy, integrity, and creativity.

 Major Awards & Recognitions

Adityadhwaj Joshi Memorial Award (2082 B.S.)

Awarded by the Nepal National Employees' Organization Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) in recognition of my outstanding contribution, dedication and excellence in photojournalism while serving Nepal's National News Agency.

Best Photojournalist Award – 2023

Honored by the Reporters Club Nepal for more than fifteen years of outstanding contribution to Nepali photojournalism. The award was presented by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda."

Best Photojournalist of the Year – 2016

Recognized for excellence in photojournalism and presented by the Rt. Hon. President Bidya Devi Bhandari, acknowledging my significant contribution to Nepal's visual journalism.

 International Awards & Recognition

World Book of Records, London – Certificate of Excellence (2026): Honored for outstanding contributions to photojournalism, visual storytelling, journalism education, and the promotion of Nepal through photography.

Corporate Business Photographer Award (2025): Recognized for excellence in corporate photography, visual communication, creative storytelling, and professional photographic excellence.

Professional Leadership & National Responsibilities

Senior Photojournalist, Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Nepal's National News Agency.

President, National Forum of Photojournalists (NFPJ) Nepal.

Served as Official Photographer for Nepal's House of Representatives Election 2082 (B.S.), documenting one of the country's most significant democratic processes.

Served as Personal Photographer to the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda."

Selected as a Jury Member for the Nepal Army Photo Competition 2021, evaluating national-level photographic works.

Served as Jury Member (Miss Photogenic Category) for the Miss Nepal 2018 pageant.

Professional Contributions

More than 18 years of professional experience in photojournalism.

Covered thousands of national and international assignments, including political events, diplomatic visits, elections, natural disasters, culture, tourism, sports, and humanitarian stories.

Conducted professional training on Photojournalism, Photography, Caption Writing, Visual Storytelling, Photo Editing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Journalism for journalists, students, government institutions, educational institutions, Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and various organizations.

Led numerous national and international photography workshops, exhibitions, and capacity-building programs through the National Forum of Photojournalists (NFPJ) Nepal.

Promoted ethical journalism, professional development, and international collaboration among photojournalists across Nepal and Asia.

Career Highlights

Over 18 years of continuous service in professional photojournalism.

Photographs published through Nepal's national and international media platforms.

Documented many of Nepal's historic political, cultural, and social milestones.

Dedicated to mentoring the next generation of photographers and preserving Nepal's visual history through impactful storytelling.