He later moved to Dubai, where his career grew across two decades with Gulf News. He worked as Photographer, Chief Photographer, and later Deputy Picture Editor, helping shape the visual language of one of the Middle East’s most influential newspapers. Beyond daily assignments, he led multinational photo teams, mentored young photographers, coordinated closely with news and design desks, and was part of the core team during the newspaper’s landmark redesign with Garcia Media. He also served as Chief Photographer for the launch of the XPRESS weekly newspaper, where he built the photography department from the ground up.
As a photojournalist, Sankha has covered major global events including the Gujarat earthquake, the Indian Ocean tsunami, elections across India, and the civil conflict in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. He has also photographed premier international sporting events such as the Dubai World Cup horse racing, ATP and WTA championships, and major cricket and golf tournaments. Across every assignment, his approach remains rooted in empathy, patience, and respect for human dignity.
Yet Sankha could not confine himself solely to photojournalism. His relentless curiosity led him into wildlife and fine-art photography. Among these projects are Fluid Moment and Shooting from the Toe. A long-term personal project documents the ever-changing skyline of Dubai, which he has witnessed transform over the past two decades. Beyond photography, he has also written travel articles on destinations ranging from Botswana to Vietnam.
Over time, Sankha felt a growing pull toward teaching—not simply to pass on technical skills, but to share his way of seeing. He is currently Chief Photographer and Guest Faculty at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, teaching across journalism, film, media science, and design programs. In 2024–25, he was selected as a Knight Fellow at the School of Visual Communication, Ohio University, USA, further deepening his engagement with visual journalism, education, and the evolving role of storytelling in a changing media landscape.
In 2021, he founded Mindful Photos, a workshop initiative designed to reduce stress and anxiety through the practice of photography. In 2023, he published the book Photojournalism – Writing the Headline and continues to be a regular speaker at international conferences, universities, and professional forums. His photographs have appeared in various international photographic salons, and he has held several solo exhibitions in the UAE, India, and the USA.
Today, Sankha Kar continues to explore photography at the intersection of journalism, education, mindfulness, and emerging technology—seeking honest, thoughtful ways to tell human stories in an increasingly automated world. He is particularly engaged in exploring the sensible, ethical, and meaningful use of artificial intelligence in photography and photography education—seeking ways for AI to support creativity and learning without replacing human vision, authorship, or integrity.