Lights, Camera, Asia: Photographing Cambodia with Orient-Express

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. property La Résidence d'Angkor in Cambodia, has partnered with local professional photographers, including award-winner fine art photographer John McDermott, to create a range of tailored photography itineraries, aiding guests to capture the beauty and diversity of the kingdom.

Priced from US$1,400, the hotel offers a basic “Angkor Photo Adventure” package inclusive of two night's luxury accommodation with breakfast and a full day excursion in the company of a professional photographer, plus a three day pass to the Angkor temple complex, which includes the world-famous Angkor Wat temple. Further, budding amateurs will also be guided how to use the newest photo-editing software to put finishes touches to those lasting memories.

Each Angkor Photo Adventure itinerary is unique and aims to immerse guests in Cambodia's culturally rich and unique environments, with exclusive add-ons* available through the hotel's concierge, in search of the ultimate photographic locations. Enjoy an elephant ride beside the slow-flowing Siem Reap River, take to the skies aboard a helicopter for stunning aerial views over the renowned Angkor temple complex, or join a leisurely bicycle tour along the town's shady tree-lined boulevards and observe charming 19th century French shop-house architecture.

Carla Petzold-Beck, General Manager La Résidence d'Angkor states: “We can offer experiential travellers access to unspoilt landscapes that they wouldn't find on their own. Highly skilled photographers can provide guests with camera tuition, advice on shooting angles, and tips of the trade during the editing process”.

An example photography itinerary begins with a hearty breakfast before guests embark on their photographic journey by longboat, touring the Kompong Phuk water village on the edge of the vast Tonle Sap, South-East Asia's largest lake, to observe village life teetering on stilts above the water. Guides will be highlighting the flora and fauna along the river bank so, cameras at the ready!

Then, after a picturesque picnic lunch, is an afternoon's private kayaking tour of the eerie Floating Forest, which tantalises the lens with reflections of partly submerged trees that provide beautiful photo opportunities. Other ‘kodak moments' along the way include local markets where vibrant produce are positioned against a backdrop of brightly dressed stallholders.

For the last twenty years, award-winning fine art photographer McDermott has crossed the continent of Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, capturing a sense of Asia's ageless culture and spirituality. His work has been published in magazines and newspapers internationally, including The International Herald Tribune, Time, Newsweek, and The New York Times. McDermott's latest exhibition, entitled Spirit and Stone, is currently on display within La Résidence d'Angkor's Martini Bar until 31st March, 2014.

For further information or to make a booking, please see www.orient-express.com.

* Exclusive add-ons at an additional cost. Please contact the hotel directly to arrange at info@residencedangkor.com or by telephone on (+855) 63 963 390.