NayanTara Gurung Kakshapati graduated from Mt Holyoke College, Massachusetts with a degree in International Relations and Studio Art. She went on to the SALT Institute of Documentary Studies, Portland, ME to study Documentary Photography. NayanTara came back home to Nepal in 2006 and has since been based in Kathmandu, working as a freelance photographer. Her work focuses on intimately documenting her country- the New Nepal- and its dynamic struggle to find peace after a decade long Maoist’s People War from 1996- 2006.

In 2007, NayanTara co founded photo.circle; a photography collective that has created a vibrant platform for emerging and professional photographers in Nepal. photo.circle offers opportunities for learning and skill development and creates space for photographers to exhibit, publish and market their work in Nepal, the region and internationally.