Knai Bang Chatt is a stunning location in Kep, perhaps best described on their own website: “Serene and pure, Knai Bang Chatt, an exquisite lifestyle resort, will enchant you. Located in Kep, right on the southern east coastline of Cambodia, the resort gives you a blend of privacy, serenity and exclusivity. Three renovated villas built in the 1970s by protégés of Vann Molyvann, a pupil of the world renowned Le Corbusier, are extraordinary historical landmarks you can now experience as your very own private home. Its natural beauty combined with its sense of history and great Khmer hospitality will make your stay in Cambodia unforgettable.”

The next day was spent at the equally stunning Villa Romonea for BBQ and games before a rickshaw treasure hunt on Monday!

Thank you to Christol & Sophie, their families and friends and especially Isabelle, director and founder of Asia Motion & filmmaker George Jefferies for putting us all in touch!

Aidan

I had never photographed a Khmer wedding before so was very excited when Tony contacted me to photograph their traditional wedding in Phnom Penh. Every wedding is unique but a Khmer wedding is particularly different and we had two wonderful and fun days in Phnom Penh at Nayhouy’s family house. Thank you to everyone for making me so welcome and I can’t wait for my next Khmer wedding!

 Aidan

As usual, its the images that you least expect that you end up happiest with.  

This was my first shoot back in Southeast Asia after a five-month hiatus in Canada. Thank you Siusin and Daniel for making it so special.

Vinuon’s family is Khmer (and Joel’s is Filipino), so they had a series of traditional Cambodian wedding ceremonies lined up over two days. Although the schedule was packed to the hilt, we did manage to squeeze in a quick portrait session at the Angkor temple complex before the first day’s events. I had done my homework and knew the sunrise image I wanted to make. Unfortunately, mother nature didn’t cooperate, and at 5am the pond that I was going to use for a gorgeous reflection was almost completely dried up. So we improvised and just enjoyed the grandeur of the temples until we had to head back for the main events.

Each Khmer ceremony required a dress change for the entire wedding party, so there was a lot of up and down the stairs to change outfits, but it was obvious that everyone was enjoying themselves. Every aspect, from the music and food to the hair-cutting ceremony, was absolutely fascinating, and it was refreshing to shoot a completely different kind of wedding.

Of course, come nightfall, it was time to knock it out on the dancefloor and after a few shots of Patron, the party was on!

I want to thank Joel and Vinuon for asking me to photograph and participate in their wonderful event. It was one of those weddings that I’ll remember when I’m at the old age home in 50 years.

In the meantime, I wanted to share this composite of images I made during one of the traditional Khmer ceremonies, where guests brought in ceremonial baskets of fruit and other objects for the bride and groom. As the guests awaited the couple’s arrival, I shot a series of what each person was carrying in their lap.