WHY CAMBODIA ? 🇰🇭
While Angkor’s ancient temples inevitably draw the majority of photographers, Cambodia offers rich opportunities for street and portrait photography that remain largely unexplored. Rural villages provide excellent settings for capturing authentic portraits, while bustling food markets and Buddhist monks in local pagodas present compelling subjects for photographers seeking to document daily Cambodian life, as we’ll explore in greater detail below.
PHOTOGRAPHING THE ANCIENT WONDERS OF ANGKOR
Photographing the temples of Angkor is on the bucket list of many photographers worldwide. Cambodia, and Siem Reap in particular, boasts a unique concentration of ancient temples spanning from the 7th to 14th centuries, making Siem Reap the gateway for photography expeditions to numerous temples—enough to satisfy any photographer’s craving. If it is your first time visiting the Angkor complex you will be amazed by its immense size and the countless photographic opportunities it offers. However, capturing good images requires a lot of sweat and optimal lighting conditions. The green season, from August to November, is particularly rewarding as many temples become adorned with a thick coating of moss that adds an extra dimension of beauty to photographs. During the monsoon season, you can also capture unique images of temples reflected in puddles, creating beautiful mirror-like effects.
BEYOND TEMPLES: FACES OF CAMBODIA
People and street photography may not be the first thing that comes to mind for photographers traveling to Cambodia. However, numerous opportunities exist since Cambodia remains largely rural in 2025, with over 70% of the population living outside urban areas. Countryside villages, with their wooden houses and verdant rice fields, offer intimate glimpses into the real life in Cambodia. Local markets burst with photographic potential – from the vibrant displays of exotic fruits and fresh vegetables to the animated conversations between vendors and buyers. You will find that Cambodians—from market vendors to villagers—are typically friendly and, with rare exceptions, happy to have their picture taken once you ask. Monk photography is highly sought after, and while I do not propose staged photography of monks in ancient temples, it’s possible to photograph them in modern temples called wats or pagodas. You’ll encounter novice monks in bright orange robes going about their daily routines, creating beautiful scenes that exist only briefly. You might capture them studying languages, cleaning temple grounds, or chanting prayers as the sun sets. These spontaneous, candid moments truly reveal the essence of Cambodia’s Buddhist culture. Compelling images can be captured in local markets, around Tonle Sap lake, and in small towns and villages. If you book my Cambodia photo tour in August during the green season, you’ll be fortunate to witness the traditional rice transplantation by hand that still takes place in some places in Cambodia.
INTIMATE GROUP. UNRIVALED ACCESS.
This Cambodia Photography Tour is designed for small, focused groups (1-4 participants max). This ensures personalized instruction and the freedom to capture authentic moments. Move discreetly through local markets and villages, allowing for genuine interactions and unposed shots of daily life, including unique opportunities to capture the daily life of monks. This photo tour is ideal for solo photographers, couples, or a small circle of friends.
YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY. YOUR JOURNEY. YOUR FOCUS
Every photographer is unique, and so is our content and approach. This photo tour’s content is meticulously adapted to your individual photography level and interests, from the vibrant street scenes of people photography to ever ending photo opportunities in the temple of Angkor. We also tailor the physical demands to your comfort and fitness, allowing us to explore hidden gems through treks or cover more ground efficiently with e-bikes. This personalized approach guarantees you make the most of every unique photographic opportunity.
CAMBODIA PHOTO TOUR ITINERARY 12 DAYS (EXAMPLE)
Content will be customized to match your photography expectations for a private tour (individual or small group)
DAY 1: SIEM REAP
Upon your arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, I will receive you and we drive to your hotel in the city center. During our welcome dinner, I will give you an introduction of our tour together. We will conduct a gear check– ensuring your equipment is primed for the coming days of shooting.
DAY 2: TEMPLES OF ANGKOR. FIRST DAY OF SHOOTING 📷
Our day begins with Ta Prohm, the atmospheric jungle temple famously featured in the early 2000s Tomb Raider movie. You’ll photograph this remarkable site in the soft morning light, before tourist crowds arrive. We’ll then explore several intimate, lesser-known temples in the vicinity. After refreshing at your hotel during the midday heat, we’ll return to the archaeological park to photograph Angkor Wat during the golden hour, staying until after sunset.
DAY 3: SIEM REAP- ANGKOR TEMPLES
Another early morning takes us to a serene monastery, where we’ll respectfully photograph novice monks during their morning rituals. You’ll have opportunities to capture intimate moments. Nearby, a local market offers a vibrant palette of colors and authentic scenes—ideal for practicing your street photography techniques.
In the afternoon, we’ll explore Preah Khan temple, a photographer’s paradise. This expansive temple complex features long corridors, hidden chambers, and ornate windows. The extraordinary light quality, combined with lichen and algae-stained sandstone, will provide unique and vibrant photographic opportunities.
DAY 4: SIEM REAP - KOH KER - BENG MEALEA
Our next adventure takes us to the remote temples of Angkor, visiting the ancient 10th Angkorian capital of Koh Ker and its famous 7-tiered pyramid. We will end the day by visiting the largely unrestored temple of Beng Mealea (12th century) that follows the archaeological blueprint of Angkor Wat temple.
DAY 5: BENG MELEA - KULEN MOUNTAIN
We will start the day by venturing into possibly the most adventurous part of this tour, exploring some less visited temples of the lost city of Mahendraparvata in Kulen mountain, the cradle of the Khmer empire. These temples, dating back from the 8th-9th century, have been revealed from below the canopy jungle in 2012 by using LIDAR technology.
DAY 6: SIEM REAP - BANTEAY CHHMAR
We’ll head west to Banteay Chhmar, a sprawling temple complex from the 12th century, constructed during King Jayavarman VII’s reign. We’ll explore this massive site before sunset. Unlike the temples near Siem Reap, Banteay Chhmar sees very few visitors – only 5-10 international tourists per day – making it a peaceful, undisturbed location. The temple complex is overseen by a community-led tourism initiative, offering an authentic and intimate experience and atmosphere. Some parts of the temple complex offer raw, unrestored beauty that’s catnip for photographers. We will spend the night near the temple moat in a comfortable family guesthouse.
DAY 7: BANTEAY CHHMAR-BATTAMBANG
After an extensive visit of the main temple of Banteay Chhmar in the morning, we say good bye to our hosts and drive to Battambang where we arrive in time to witness the spectacular exodus at sunset of millions of bats from the limestone caves of Phnom Sampov.
DAY 8: BATTTAMBANG
Early morning we will wander through Battambang’s charming city center streets and lively local markets, soaking in the town’s laid-back atmosphere.
After a lunch break, we will explore colonial-era houses, vibrant neighborhoods, and a tranquil pagoda
DAY 9: BATTAMBANG - SIEM REAP
After breakfast, we will drive back to Siem Reap (3 hours). In the afternoon, we will explore some temples around Angkor Thom
DAY 10: TONLE SAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES
We begin our morning by visiting an underrated pre-Angkorian temple, visually and historically significant. We will follow this by the visit, either by boat or by foot (depending on the season), of one village on the Tonle Sap river where many homes are built on stilts. In the afternoon, we will travel to the nearby countryside to capture the daily lives of monks, the local villagers, and enjoy the sunset over the paddy fields.
DAY 11: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES. LAST DAY OF SHOOTING 📷
For the final day of this photo tour together, we will go back to Angkor Wat, where we’ll bid farewell to this magnificent temple by capturing it during the golden hour at sunrise. In the afternoon we will spend some time sorting and editing your favorite photos in Lightroom. We will conclude our Cambodia photography tour adventure with a farewell dinner.
DAY 12: SIEM REAP
Whether this is your final day in Cambodia or you’re extending your stay, we’ll arrange your transportation to Siem Reap International Airport.
CAMBODIA PHOTOGRAPHY | EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
I currently offer this 12-day Cambodia photo tour three times annually—in March, August, and November. However, if you’d like to book a photography tour at a different time, please don’t hesitate to contact me. For reference, you’ll find an events and opportunities calendar below showing available options. Some entries include links to published blog posts with more detailed information.
| Month | Events or Opportunities |
|---|---|
| February | Meak Bochea |
| March | Spring Equinox |
| May | Vesak Bochea |
| August | Rice Transplantation, Green Season (moss in temples) |
| October | Green Season (moss in temples) |
| November | Water festival. Beginning of the chilled season (so called Cambodia winter). |
| December | Rice Harvesting |
PHOTOGRAPHY HIGHLIGHTS
- MEET FRIENDLY LOCALS AND ENGAGE IN PORTRAITURE (NOT STAGED).
- GET IMMERSIVE ACCESS TO MONKS AND DOCUMENT THEIR DAILY RITUALS.
- GET TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TEMPLE SPOTS WITH THE BEST LIGHT.
- RIDE THE HIDDEN TRAILS OF THE ANGKOR PARK BY E-BIKES (OPTIONAL).
- WITNESS THE DAILY LIFE OF PEOPLE LIVING NEAR THE GREAT TONLE SAP LAKE.
CAMBODIA PHOTO TOURS | TESTIMONIALS
A Must-Do Photography Tour in Siem Reap with Laurent. If you’re passionate about photography and planning a trip to Siem Reap, I highly recommend booking a photography tour with Laurent – it exceeded my expectations in every way. This was, without a doubt, the best photography experience I’ve ever had – and I’ve traveled extensively!
I booked the three-day tour in Siem Reap, and Laurent carefully customized the itinerary to match my preference for portrait photography, making the experience feel truly personal and tailored to my style. He struck the perfect balance between temple and people photography, ensuring I got the best of both worlds.
Laurent is incredibly patient, never rushing me even when I took my time composing shots. He has an amazing eye for creative angles and fresh perspectives, which helped me see and capture the temples in ways I never would have on my own. Despite having done a standard Angkor Wat sunrise tour the day before, I found that Laurent’s deep knowledge of the temples and their history far surpassed that of the official tour guide. What made it even better was how he seamlessly integrated this knowledge into our practical shooting sessions – it felt natural, never like a lecture.
Beyond technical expertise, Laurent is a great storyteller, sharing fascinating anecdotes that added depth to the experience. He provided valuable guidance on camera settings, from aperture, shutter speed, to ISO, and even helped me discover new functions of my camera (which I’ve had for six years!). Thanks to his tips, my approach to photography has completely transformed.
One of the standout aspects of the tour was how flexible it was. Laurent adjusted our itinerary based on the weather, time of day, and crowd levels to ensure the best shooting conditions. He also took me to hidden spots that regular tourist tours wouldn’t include, giving me unique opportunities for photography.
The experience was also comfortable and well-organized. His driver was very careful and kind, the car had AC, a mini fridge with cold water (a lifesaver in the Cambodian heat), and Laurent even treated me to two lunches. Throughout the tour, I always felt safe and well taken care of (even though I was travelling solo).
Even though I usually focus on portrait photography, and temple/architecture photography wasn’t really my thing, Laurent made it so engaging that I actually started enjoying it. Now, I feel confident and prepared to shoot architectural subjects in the future.
An added bonus? Laurent even lent me his 17-40mm lens a few times, which was incredibly generous and helped me experiment with wider angles.
If you’re looking for a personalized, enriching, and top-tier photography experience in Siem Reap, this is the tour to book. Laurent’s expertise, patience, and passion for photography make all the difference. I left not only with stunning photos, new skills and fresh perspective on photography, but also with great memories from Cambodia and a deeper understanding of its history and culture. Absolutely worth it.
Merci Laurent!
If you want to bring home the best pictures and memories, this is how to do it. Last week I had the pleasure of being on tour with Laurent and I had the most creative and productive time! He created a personalized intenary for my interests and photographic ideas. He was flexible in adapting to weather conditions and creative in finding views and places while we spoke.
His experience and expertise will help you finding places and pictures you otherwise would need years of living there. our driver Misal also was the most helpful person and both coordinated an experience I can only recommend the highest. If you are serious about bringing home your best pictures and memories, this is the best and most pleasant way to do it. If I come back, I will make sure to book another tour!
Merci bien Laurent for this unforgettable experience. I learned a lot and had great fun!
We had a very enjoyable, satisfying and productive photographic tour with Laurent. On a 4-day tour, Laurent was able to suggest a balanced and realistic itinerary, which he had discussed with us in detail a few months ahead, taking into account what we were interested in photographing.
A good balance between the amazing ancient temples, as well as authentic daily lives of Khmer people today. Laurent took us to the “must-see” temples at appropriate times, taking into account lighting, crowds and weather. You will get those iconic shots, and perhaps even with a monk or two in the foreground! More than just a tour guide, Laurent was able to provide expertise about camera angles and perspectives which take you beyond shooting postcards.
Just as importantly, Laurent took us to villages, local markets, and modern working monasteries, where we were able to photograph the people comfortably. Clearly he has a relationship with them already, and so the people were happy and cooperative.
Laurent is reliable and punctual, providing an air-conditioned Lexus 4WD and dedicated driver. I can strongly recommend Laurent if you are a novice or advanced photographer, and is also welcoming of companion travellers who are not necessarily photographers.
LAURENT DAMBIES | YOUR CAMBODIA PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE
Laurent Dambies is a travel photographer who has been based in Siem Reap for over a decade. He specializes in capturing the iconic Angkor temples and also excels at documenting the vibrant people and local life across Cambodia.
With his deep knowledge of Cambodia's hidden gems and cultural nuances, Laurent provides unique access to photographic opportunities that typical tours miss. His expertise in both technical photography skills and local customs ensures you'll capture stunning images while respecting the culture and people.
MY APPROACH TO PHOTOGRAPHY
For over ten years, I’ve called Siem Reap home, and in that time, I’ve fallen in love with the temples of Angkor. I’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of photographers capture the magic of this place—from the timeless beauty of the temples of Angkor to the everyday lives of the Cambodian people. With a deep well of local knowledge and technical expertise, I’ll design a photography tour that’s completely unique to you. We’ll craft a custom itinerary to match your specific interests, and I’ll be there to guide you on everything from camera settings to finding the perfect light. My approach is simple: we follow the light, not the crowd. I believe in capturing authentic, unstaged moments, whether we’re in a bustling pagoda or the peaceful countryside, because that’s how we create truly meaningful photographs.
CAMBODIA PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP GALLERY
Let the colors be revealed, hover on the images
FAQs about Your Cambodia Photo Tour
Absolutely! I enjoy providing personalized, hands-on instruction covering camera settings and composition. This photo tour will significantly enhance your photography abilities. You'll learn to optimize your camera's performance, with instruction tailored to your camera model's features and capabilities.
For this photo tour, bring your DSLR or mirrorless camera along with any other recording devices such as a GoPro, Insta360, or drone (note that drone flights are prohibited over the temples). To read more about camera gear to bring to Angkor, please read my blog: 10 tips to take better pictures in the temples of Angkor.
If you are located in Southeast Asia, daily flights are available to Siem Reap International Airport (SAI) from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Ho Chi Minh City. For travelers from Europe you can use Bangkok or Singapore as hubs. From North America, you may need to fly to Phnom Penh International Airport (KTI) and connect through Korea or Japan.
You will need to send a 30% deposit by international banking transfer to secure your Cambodia photography tour booking. A full deposit refund will be provided if you cancel the tour at least 3 months before the start date.
For private tours, the photography itinerary can be customized to your preferences. Group tours have a fixed program that focuses on Siem Reap, Battambang, and Banteay Chhmar temple.
Absolutely, you can extend this photo tour by few days. I will come up with new locations in Cambodia:) Be sure to let me knw in advance.
