Your Questions, Answered.
Everything you need to know before booking your photo tour.
Photography
Equipment, techniques, and timing for the perfect shot
As the sole operator of Angkor Photography Tours since 2013, I, Laurent Dambies, personally lead every experience.
Some photography tours have some turnover and employ various photo guides , meaning the quality and photographs advertised online might not always align with the photo guide leading your tour.
Tour pricing is listed on each page, clearly showing what's included and what's not. This makes it easier for you to manage your holiday budget.
Easy booking
Booking is made easy with a form available on every tour page and on the homepage menu. Plus, no deposit is required to book a daily tour.
Designed by a photographer for photographers
From the moment you send your request, I'll personally process your booking. If you decide to go for the tour, we'll exchange a few emails until everything is organized. I can answer questions about what gear to bring (and what to leave behind!). If you have specific pictures in mind to take in the temples, we can discuss it and customize the tour accordingly if necessary.
Innovation
My tours are regularly improved based on customer feedback and scouting trips to ensure you have the best photographic experience.
I offer unique tours, including e-bike hidden Angkor and the Angkor green photo tour.
In Siem Reap, rain typically comes in short spells and doesn't usually last for many hours, making it less of an issue. However, this pattern can differ in Phnom Penh and the coastal areas. I've only ever had to reschedule an Angkor Wat sunrise once due to exceptionally heavy rain .
Weather forecasts can often be tricky because it might rain in Siem Reap but not a single drop falls in Angkor Wat, 7 kilometers away. Given that the Angkor Archaeological Park is quite spread out, rain can also be highly localized, affecting just one section of the temple complex while others remain dry
Rain often presents amazing photographic opportunities, allowing for unique reflections of temples in puddles. Furthermore, temples can appear particularly striking in the rain as the wet stones shimmer, enhancing contrast .
Overcast conditions provide softer, diffused lighting, which helps avoid the harsh shadows and strong highlights typically found when temples are exposed to direct midday sun
Regardless, I advise checking your camera, lens, and smartphone's water resistance ratings. Look for terms such as 'weather-sealed,' 'dust and splash resistant,' or, more specifically, an IP rating. It's crucial to remember that 'weather-sealed' does not equate to 'waterproof'; this protection is designed for light rain or splashes, not for submersion or heavy downpours
Yes, our photo tours are suitable for both entry-level cameras and smartphones, though the experience will vary depending on the equipment.
An entry-level digital camera is perfectly fine for our temple tours, especially if you have a wide-angle lens (around 24mm on a full-frame camera). While more advanced cameras offer higher quality, an entry-level camera will capture great shots. The main difference will be noticeable in low-light conditions, where the sensor quality of more advanced cameras provides a significant advantage for shooting at high ISO settings.
A smartphone is incredibly convenient, particularly during our e-bike photo tours. However, for more street-oriented photo tours, smartphones can be limiting if you need to shoot quickly. The quality also depends on your specific smartphone model, and in general, image quality drops quickly in lower light conditions.
Yes, you will need an Angkor Archaeological Park pass to enter the temple complex. This is separate from the photo tour cost except for multi-day tours (3 to 5 days, 12 days) where it is included.
For most photographers, the pass options are the following:
- 1-day pass: $37 USD (can be used more than one time a day)
- 3-day pass: $62 USD (valid for 10 days)
To know more please read my blog Angkor Wat tickets
No additional photography permits are required for personal use with standard camera equipment, of course this can be a bit of a grey area....
Although Cambodia offers year-round photography opportunities, there are some important considerations.
The cool season (November to February) brings more comfortable temperatures and clearer skies, making it ideal for exploration. This is also peak tourist season in Cambodia for these very reasons.
However, it's not the best time for photography. I personally strongly recommend visiting Cambodia in July-August or even October. The wet season, also called the green season, brings lush greenery to the ancient temples—some are covered with thick moss—and to the countryside where you can capture August rice transplantation, which is still done by hand in the paddy fields. Siem Reap in particular doesn't experience prolonged rainfall during this period, so outdoor photography is generally not an issue.
The wet season also brings dramatic cloud formations and fewer crowds, although temple crowds aren't the problem they were before COVID.
During the green season of August, I offer a special Angkor Green photo tour and a much longer 12-day Cambodia photography tour.
If you have issues with high temperatures, I would avoid April and May, which can be extremely hot depending on the year. During these months, most paddy fields are dry, and although some temples display color from lichens, the hues are much less intense than during the wet season. Of course, the moss is gone during this period.
If you want to read more about this topic, I suggest having a look at my blog: Best Time to Visit Siem Reap.
Absolutely! If you book a multi-day private photo tour, I customize multi-day private photo tour itineraries to reflect your desired mix of temple and people photography. If you want to visit a temple in particular which is not on the itinerary, explore specific photographic styles, or want to incorporate sunrise/sunset shoots, simply let me know. I'll collaborate with you to design a personalized tour that suits your vision. Many tours can also be done by e-bike if you're interested in that option.
Travel & Practical Info
Payment, preparation, and travel essentials
Shoulders and knees must be covered at all times when visiting the temples of Angkor.
Light, breathable clothing like cotton or linen are highly recommended due to Cambodia's warm and humid climate.
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip are essential as you'll be doing a fair amount of walking and climbing on uneven stone surfaces. Avoid flip-flops or sandals without straps.
Do not forget to bring a hat or cap and sunscreen for protection, especially during midday shoots.
Paying online with a debit or credit card can be quite difficult in Cambodia. In the past, international wire transfers through services like Wise and Remitly were options. Otherwise, I accept cash on location. All ATMs in Cambodia dispense both Riels and USD bills and there are easy to find. Since 2024, there is no issue with damaged USD bills, they are now accepted everywhere. PayPal is also a possibility, though it's my less preferred payment method at the moment.
For daily tours, no deposit is required to secure your booking. Payment can be made by cash at the end of your tour. For multi-day photo tours, I will ask a deposit by international wire transfer to block my calendar.
