It’s no secret that I’m completely addicted to Khmer studio portraits. I’ve probably done more Khmer studio photos than any other human living in Cambodia. Every time I have a friend visit from outside of Cambodia I drag them to a photo studio and force them to take portraits with me. It’s the best souvenir one can get from Cambodia, hands down.
You’ll never forget Cambodia with a giant copy of one of these on your wall.
In Cambodia couples go to the photo studio when they are getting married and dress in several brightly colored traditional costumes. And while they are usually reserved for engagements, Cambodians often take these portraits of children (they have kid-sized costumes, too). It’s also becoming a trend in the middle classes to take glamour shots, although most are not in Cambodian dress. My point? Do not be ashamed of wanting to take studio portraits. This is a legitimate cultural experience.
Photos can cost anywhere from $5-25 for a set of printed photos that include costume rental and hair and makeup for women (and usually several sets of fake eyelashes). Men don’t get any hair and makeup unless requested, but they pay less. Be sure to check the price before you start so there are no surprises.
Time in a Cambodian photo studio is time well spent.
Some tips for having Khmer photos taken:
- Ladies, bring your own makeup. They will use cheap communal makeup and applicators on you and it’s not the greatest for sensitive skin. Moreover, the coloring is intended for Khmer-colored skin, so if you are paler than that, the makeup will look funny.
- Prepare your poses ahead of time. I cannot emphasize this enough (despite the fact that I often forget to do it myself). They will spend an hour getting you made up, and then begrudge you anything more than 90 seconds in front of the camera. When the cameraman aims his lens at you, be prepared.
- Don’t let them force you into anything you don’t like. I have an entire set of shots where they drew in huge black eyebrows that will never see the light of day and another where they gave me thin, hot pink lips (they seemed to find the natural fullness of my lips obscene). Many of the poses they will suggest are unflattering as well–they take shots looking up at their subjects to make Khmers look bigger, but most Westerners are happy to avoid that fate.
You’ll find photo studios all over every city in Cambodia and most of the smaller towns, too. To find the right one for you, page through their photo albums–if the backgrounds and photoshopping is absurd, you might want to keep looking (or sign up immediately, depending on what you’re after!)
Happy portraiture! If you have any great Khmer studio portraits, we’d love to see them. Please post a link in the comments, email them or post them on our Facebook page.
Hello, do you remember the name of the studio where you got these done. I can’t seem to stumble upon one. Currently in siem reap. Thank you!
There are several on Sivatha in Siem Reap although I haven’t been to any of them. They are all over town, trust me!
Hello,
I would like to ask where is the photo studio you can recommend we can take traditional cambodian costumes. we will visit siem reap in June and it would be fun to have those photos taken.
We awould like to know the rates too so we wont be ripped off.
Thank you
What studio did you go to the outfits are great!
All of them have outfits like this!
Hi, Lina. I’d live to do this, but I’m, um, full-figured. Will they have costumes that fit me?
Depends on how full figured, probably. They will definitely have skirts that will fit you, and they will take photos with the top completely open at the back (but no skin visible on camera). If you have a sense of humor about the whole thing, it is worth a shot and they will fashion something for you. I have feet that are way too big for their shoes, and they have wedged me in with my heel hanging off the back, then photoshopped my heel off! Pretty ingenious.
Hi,
I love the idea of doing this! And I have a good friend coming to town this weekend, would your recommend any photo studio in particular in PP?
Thanks,
Aurelia
Honestly, I’ve tried several and they are all pretty similar. You’ll see them all over town, just go in to a few and if they speak enough English to tell you how much it costs, you’re probably good to go. They usually look like photo shops from the outside.
Great thanks for your help Lina ;). Best Henni
Hi,
A friend and I are travelling to Cambodia in September. We really would love to take some fun pictures. Do you know any good places in Siem Reap by any chance?
Thanks, Henni
Hi Henni, I haven’t done it in Siem Reap yet, but there are photo studios all over town. Give any of them a try! If I end up doing it in Siem Reap before September I will let you know. :)
A lot of people go to the places around Wat Bo, but I’ve also had good luck just wandering into random places. Part of the fun is having no idea what you’re going to get!
Hi,
I love you’re post! I am travelling to Cambodia to volunteer with Legal Aid and would love to do this. Do you recommend any particular place?
Regards,
Amy
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