After three fantastic Cambodia photography workshops in 2025 and early 2026, with five photographers joining us in August, five in November and three in February, we were excited to start another year of travelling through Cambodia with our cameras.
Our August 2026 group was smaller than usual, but what it lacked in numbers, it certainly made up for in enthusiasm, curiosity and passion for photography.
From 17 to 28 August, we travelled together for twelve days, exploring Cambodia through its people, its culture and its everyday life.
And once again, we were reminded why we love running photography workshops here.
The real story of Cambodia is found in its people.
Twelve days, countless photographic opportunities
For us, photography in Cambodia has always been about much more than visiting famous places.
People are at the heart of what we photograph.
Markets, villages, monasteries, countryside, local activities, workshops and everyday life constantly provide opportunities to observe and tell stories through photography.
And because Cambodia is such a diverse country, those opportunities can change completely from one day to the next.
Joe summed up the experience perfectly, telling us that he had never had so many different photographic opportunities in such a short period of time.
That is exactly what makes a photography trip in Cambodia so rewarding.
You never quite know what you are going to encounter.
A morning at a local market can produce completely different images from an afternoon in a rural village. A walk through the countryside can suddenly turn into an unexpected portrait session. A visit to a monastery can lead to quiet, intimate moments that you simply couldn’t have planned.
For a photographer, Cambodia constantly gives you something to look at.
Cambodia is much more than Angkor
Suzanne also came away with an important impression from the trip: Cambodia is definitely a lot more than the Temples of Angkor.
And while Angkor is an essential part of any visit to Cambodia, we have always believed that it is only one part of the story.
Our workshops are designed to take photographers beyond the iconic sights and into the everyday life of the country.
The people we meet are an essential part of that.
Farmers working in the fields.
Market vendors preparing their stalls.
Monks going about their daily routines.
Craftsmen at work.
Families in their homes.
Children playing.
People travelling, working, resting, laughing and simply getting on with their everyday lives.
These ordinary moments are often where we find the most powerful photographs.
The people who make the journey special
Of course, taking great photographs is one of the reasons our guests come to Cambodia.
But the photographs are often only part of what they take home.
During twelve days together, our photographers had the chance to meet a huge variety of people and experience situations that went far beyond simply taking pictures.
Again and again, we were impressed by the resilience and generosity of the Cambodian people.
A smile.
A conversation.
An invitation to sit down.
A moment of curiosity about the photographers carrying their cameras.
These small interactions can turn into some of the most memorable moments of a trip.
And they can also become some of the most meaningful photographs.
Photography as a way to connect
One of the things we love most about people photography is that the camera can become a bridge between strangers.
It gives us a reason to approach someone, start a conversation and discover something about their life.
Of course, we always encourage our photographers to be respectful and considerate when photographing people.
The goal is not simply to collect portraits.
It is to create photographs that have a sense of place, personality and connection.
Sometimes that means getting close.
Sometimes it means stepping back and observing.
And sometimes the best thing to do is simply to put the camera down and enjoy the moment.
That is when photography becomes more than just photography.
A real human experience
After twelve days together, this workshop felt like much more than a photo tour.
It was a genuine human experience.
We shared meals, conversations, long journeys, early mornings, hot afternoons, unexpected encounters and, of course, plenty of time behind our cameras.
The smaller size of this year’s group also created a particularly intimate atmosphere.
Everyone was passionate about photography, and that shared enthusiasm made the experience even more enjoyable.
There is something special about travelling with people who are just as excited as you are when an unexpected photographic opportunity appears.
You see something.
You stop.
Everyone gets their cameras out.
And suddenly, a completely ordinary moment becomes a shared photographic memory.
Through the eyes of our photographers
For this article, we wanted to share a selection of photographs from the people we encountered during our August 2026 Cambodia photography workshop.
Not because we photograph people only on this trip — quite the opposite.
People have always been at the centre of our photography.
But these images together give a glimpse into the incredible variety of encounters we experienced during twelve days on the road.
Every face has a story.
Every situation tells us something about Cambodia.
And every photograph represents a moment that happened only once.
That is what makes documentary and travel photography so special.
Looking ahead
Our August 2026 Cambodia photography workshop has now come to an end.
As always, it feels strange when twelve days of travelling together suddenly come to an end. The group heads home, the cameras go back into the bags, and we are left with thousands of photographs and plenty of memories.
But we don’t have to wait too long before doing it all again.
We are already looking forward to welcoming our next photographers to Cambodia this November 2026.
And several photographers have already confirmed their places for our 2027 Cambodia photography workshops.
We deliberately keep our groups small so that we can offer a more personal experience and, most importantly, enough flexibility to make the most of the photographic opportunities we encounter along the way.
Places are therefore limited.
If you have been thinking about joining us, we’d love to welcome you to Cambodia.
Come for the photography.
Stay for the encounters.
And leave with photographs — and memories — that go far beyond the temples.
Because the best way to discover Cambodia is often through the people you meet along the way.
