【Traveler’s Journal】Smiling Angkor, A Pure Journey

By TRAVELER Luxe Wei

Photographers’ sensitivity and dedication to beauty always enable them to uncover lesser-known, hidden scenic wonders. When exploring the vast Angkor ruins complex, traveling with photographers is the wisest way to find the most worthwhile sights.

Hidden Angkor through the lens
In recent years, photography-guided tours in Angkor have become very popular. Among them, the most highly praised is Angkor Wat Photography Tours, a group composed of professional photographers who are passionate about Angkor and come from Western countries. Having lived in the area for years, they possess deep knowledge and insights into the history, culture, and nature of the Angkor ruins.

The founder of Angkor Wat Photography Tours is Matthias from Germany. Since childhood, he has been passionate about Asian culture. He majored in social anthropology, philosophy, and sociology, and also has over 20 years of photography experience. Five years ago, Matthias visited the Angkor region by chance and immediately fell in love with the place. He decided to move there and gathered a group of professional photographers from Western countries to co-found this guided tour. These photographers are skilled in various beginner and advanced photography techniques. Having traveled across the region with their gear for many years, they’ve developed deep observations and insights locally. Their multicultural backgrounds offer different perspectives, allowing them to provide more interesting experiences and viewpoints compared to local guides.

“Approaching the beauty of Angkor through the lens of photography is what sets us apart,” Matthias says proudly. They know how to avoid the crowds, understand the best lighting conditions, know when and where to go, and are familiar with many hidden spots. In addition, improving photography skills, sharing experiences, and meeting photography enthusiasts from around the world are also highlights of the Angkor photography journey. This group of guide-photographers hopes to help people, during what may be a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Angkor, see and capture the most beautiful scenery and create the most memorable experiences.

Matthias has planned five themed photography tours: Angkor Wat sunrise, Tonlé Sap floating villages, Phnom Kulen hidden spots, Siem Reap night, and private one-day photography tours, all with small groups of 2 to 6 people. The itineraries include must-visit popular spots in Angkor as well as the photographers’ own secret locations. Participants will learn composition, long-exposure, and other techniques, and will also experience local culture such as life in floating villages, daily markets, and interactions with Buddhist monks. Matthias says that actually, the most beautiful scenery in the area is the ever-smiling Khmer people. Putting down the camera occasionally to interact with them allows for capturing profound human stories in the photos.