Cambodia Photography Workshop
Join us for a 12-day adventure in Angkor and other rural provinces!
Our 12-day photography expedition takes in the very best of Cambodia: Marvel at wondrous Angkor, from the most supreme of the temples to her best-kept secrets tucked away in all corners of the rainforest. Lose yourself in a sea of smiles in the sprawling local markets and other remote villages in the countryside and on the Tonlé Sap lake. Bask in the luxuriant green of the rice paddies in planting season. Stand in awe beneath towering jungle waterfalls. And gain privileged access to modern Khmer performing artists from daredevil acrobats to mystical apsara dancers. We do all of this in the best light and with crowd avoidance at the forefront of our priorities.
Simply put: There is no better way to see Cambodia as a passionate photographer.
Highlights of the Tour
- Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon in the best light
- Hidden temples – far from the bustling crowds
- Buddhist monasteries and the daily rituals of novice monks
- Adventures into the rarely seen countryside
- Beautifully intimate meets with local families
- Local life: markets, villages, workplaces, and other daily activities
- Life on the Tonle Sap lake – incredible communities on the water
- Phnom Kulen waterfalls and sacred pagoda
- Phare, The Cambodian Circus – privileged backstage access
- Very little driving time: We are incredibly lucky to have so many amazing locations right on our doorstep.
12-Days
Aug 21 – Sep 1, 2023 – CONFIRMED (4 spots left)
Nov 6 – 17, 2023 – ONE MORE GOOD TO GO (5 spots left)
New Dates for 2024!
Aug 19 – 30, 2024 –
Nov 25 – Dec 6, 2024 –
Tour Price
Group Size
Small group: 2-6 Participants.
We believe in quality, personalised tuition, and so our host-to-guest ratio is always 1:6 or better.
Accommodation
Effort Level
Easy (2/5). Flat ground, walking 4-5km per day, hot and humid weather.
Gallery
See more photos taken during the workshop >>
Available Privately
We also offer private guided photo tours >>
Themes:
Architecture ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Local life ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Landscapes ★ ★ ★
Testimonials
We pride ourselves on the quality of our photography workshops.
But don’t take our word for it…. Read hundreds of five-star reviews on Tripadvisor.
Amazing Photo Adventure
…everything went like clockwork. Details were taken care of behind the scenes and never interfered with our itinerary and shooting. Overall, Angkor Travel Photography put together a terrific itinerary for our visit to Cambodia… read more
Best Travel Photography Trip!!!
My wife and myself just returned from a photography tour trough rural Cambodia with Angkor Travel Photography. This was the best trip we ever did in the past 10 years or so and we do 2-3 photography trips per year all over the world… read more
Best 2 weeks photo tour!
…During these 2 weeks we explored temples, countryside, waterfalls, Buddhist monasteries, local markets and floating villages… I was able to see places otherwise impossible to visit alone. We also had the chance to meet local people… read more
Dream a Little…
Here’s what we’ll see on our 12-Day Cambodia Workshop
Day 1: Arrival in Siem Reap
You’ll arrive in the quaint town of Siem Reap, Cambodia, where a member of the Asia Travel Photography team will be waiting to greet you at the airport and help you to your relaxing, boutique hotel. Mingle and make new friends with other like-minded photographers over welcome drinks, before recharging for the adventure ahead.
Day 2: Angkor, Ancient Temples, and Buddhist Pagodas
Day two begins with a bang: The mysterious Ta Prohm temple, packed with monstrous forest growth, at her quietest time of day and when the light is at its softest. The afternoon will be devoted to the colossal walled city of Angkor Thom, home to the iconic Bayon with her 200+ smiling faces. We’ll also have the unique chance to observe orange-robed monks and their unique Buddhist rituals at one of the least-known pagodas within Angkor.
Day 3: Pagodas, Countryside Life, and Floating Village
Our day begins early in the morning with a visit to a Buddhist monastery a few kilometres from Siem Reap where you will have the opportunity to interact with and photograph Buddhist monks going about their daily lives in a village pagoda. In the afternoon, we will visit a floating village on the glassy waters of the Tonlé Sap lake. Here you will have the chance to photograph local life on the lake in an incredibly intimate manner as we travel by small rowing boat. Sunset will be enjoyed over the rice fields.
Day 4: Phnom Kulen, Waterfalls, and Buddhist Pagoda
Day four will be spent among the pre-Angkorian findings at Mount Kulen; here we’ll marvel at the towering waterfall, the ancient reclining Buddha at the pagoda at the mountain top, and enjoy a picnic by the river of 1,000 linga. There’s even time for a swim!
Day 5: Local Markets and Journey into the Provinces
Day five begins with one of Siem Reap town’s most incredible markets, the sprawling Phsar Leu, home to a host of colourful characters and produce unimaginable. We’ll get to grips with both street portraiture and more candid shooting techniques. After lunch, we’ll travel to another rural province and enjoy our first review session, chatting about the images we’ve made so far.
Day 6: Countryside Life, pt.1
Today we will explore the Cambodian countryside of either Battambang or Kampong Thom (location chosen depending on season), witnessing a range of activities from rice farming to noodle-making, as well as meeting ordinary Cambodian people going about their daily lives far from the tourist trails of Siem Reap town.
Day 7: Countryside Life, pt.2
We’ll pick up where we left off the day before, further exploring the unique perspectives of countryside life in the remote provinces of Cambodia. We’ll return to our poolside haven in Siem Reap in the evening.
Day 8: Angkor and The City on Stilts
Today we return to the ancient city Angkor, where we will discover some of the Park’s best-kept secrets, lost in the jungle where very few people venture. After lunch we visit Kampong Phluk, a village nestled at the edge of the Tonlé Sap Lake dubbed “The CIty on Stilts.” Take a boat out to the lake before returning to shoot in the village, where we’ll have the opportunity to experience local life quite unlike anywhere else.
Day 9: Sunrise at Angkor Wat and Phare Circus
Day nine starts with what is arguably the most iconic site in Cambodia: the sun rising over the silhouetted towers of Angkor Wat. We ll spend the rest of the morning reviewing our images or relaxing with a cold drink by the pool. Spend the afternoon with privileged access to one of Cambodia’s most exciting modern performances, Phare, The Cambodian Circus; with privileged backstage access we’ll shoot the rehearsal and make-up, and afterwards have reserved VIP seating from which to photograph the show.
Day 10: Countryside of Siem Reap and Remote Temples
Today we’ll start with a throwback to Cambodia’s troubled past: under the Khmer Rouge rule of the 70’s and 80’s, the people of the countryside had to adapt, with spider hunting first appearing in the country during this time. While not widely practiced today, we have the chance to spend the morning with a spider hunter. In the afternoon we will have the chance to meet young Buddhist novices and photograph them in an intimate environment at an isolated temple.
Day 11: Banteay Srei, Silk Factory, and Angkor Wat
We’ll begin our final day of shooting with the intricate Banteay Srei. Dubbed “The Lady Temple”, it is one the most detailed of all the Angkorian temples, carved into pink sandstone, and still displays many Hindu deities. The remainder of the morning will be spent exploring a local silk factory. In the afternoon, we’ll round off our trip with one final visit to Angkor Wat, photographing the temple in the underrated warm light of late afternoon. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a farewell meal at a local restaurant.
Day 12: Departure
Enjoy one final breakfast and say farewell to new friends before departing Siem Reap!
Inclusions and Exclusions
What's Included:
Accommodation (4-star boutique resort/spa).
Private transport during photography excursions.
Daily breakfast at the hotel, Farewell Dinner, chilled drinking water on all excursions, and other meals/drinks as specified.
Guiding/Tuition from a Western professional photographer.
Round-trip pick-up and drop-off at Siem Reap International Airport.
What's Excluded:
Meals, drinks and snacks beyond those specified.
Alcoholic beverages beyond one with specified meals.
Medical & Travel Insurance.
General Information
Who Our Tours are Designed For
Our adventures are perfect for anyone who loves travel and photography, whatever your level of experience with a camera – the most important thing is enthusiasm. Our tours are specifically designed for photographers and aim to unlock opportunities that wouldn't be open to the casual visitor, all while ensuring that we shoot in the best light, away from the crowds.
Refine your Vision
Mastering photography is a wonderful, lifelong journey; the objective of our tours is to help you become a better photographer, day by day, so that you not only capture wonderful images of your trip, but that you take away a wealth of new skills that will serve you well for all of your photographic endeavours yet to come. With our expert guidance, you’ll quickly become more familiar with your equipment and refine your vision for incredible imagery without feeling swamped by technical details. You’ll learn how to read light, how to frame a scene, and how to inject the element of story into all of your captures.
Equipment Recommendations
Meaningful Interactions with Local People
Expect the Unexpected
Our itineraries are fun and flexible, and flow naturally - each of our photography adventures is unique, with spontaneous encounters and varying light conditions creating different opportunities at every turn.
Small Group Experience
The largest tours we run are for groups of six. With one experienced professional photographer as tour leader, this ensures that each of our participants will get plenty of individual, hands-on time with the instructor. It also means that we can travel in a less conspicuous manner, blending into our environment and not overwhelming local people during spontaneous encounters.
Responsible Travel
We are committed to responsible travel in every country we visit, ensuring that all of our tours are respectful of and give back to the communities we visit. We have taken steps to ensure our tours cause as little environmental impact as possible, and continually strive for new ways to leave fewer lasting footprints in all of our host countries. We use local drivers on all of our excursions, and we take care to educate our tour participants of the ethics of travel photography. We advocate for responsible volunteering and tourism. The participants that join our tours come away not only with some amazing memories and photos, but also with a better understanding of how they can make a positive impact in their future trips.
HOW DO I RESERVE A PLACE?
Simply fill out the form on this page to let us know your dates and preferences.
We’ll need a 30% deposit by International Bank Transfer to reserve your dates, with final payment being due 45 days prior to departure.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?
We understand that plans change. That's why all of our tours come with a clear, fair cancellation policy.
You'll find full details in our brochure and in our booking conditions.
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