THE KHMER

CAMBODIA, Phnom Penh: Sifting through my archive and putting together this retrospective has been long overdue. While several of these images have been published, most of this work has never been seen. These photographs are only a selection of many, many more…

Sadly, Cambodia only ever seems to make international news for all of the wrong reasons. In light of recent events and renewed conflict along the Cambodian/Thai border, I was motivated to share a positive portrayal of these warm and resilient people.

From heads of state to entertainers, farmers, entrepreneurs and everybody in between, my three years as the Staff Photographer at SEA Globe Magazine introduced me to the most remarkable people and places across a country that became my home.

While editing this body of work I was surprised that amongst the numerous photos comprising landscapes, development, wealth, poverty, sport, lifestyle, politics, economy, arts, music and religion, were the overwhelming number of portraits. For me, these numerous faces stand out as the truest and most accurate representation of the Khmer.

As my once proficient Khmer language skills begin to fade, I am reminded of a time not that long ago where this place and its people grabbed me by the heart.

Sitting across the table from Mao Run and listening to his stories was particularly special for me. He worked as a photojournalist for UPI covering the war between Government Forces and the Khmer Rouge. He stayed in Phnom Penh shooting seven rolls of film as the Khmer Rouge entered the city on April 17, 1975. He and his family evacuated four days later…

This is only one of many stories from my time living and working in Cambodia amongst the Khmer.