The Stories behind the Photos.
Getting up at 5 am to photograph fishermen at Inle Lake in Myanmar or experiencing beautiful encounters with local people, monk boys, or small children are all part of the story behind each photo.
I would like to share some of them behind some of my personal favorites .
“ Two curious Girls” , Laos 2022.
Along the Mekong River in a typical rural village.
Children playing, women are busy with their market stalls, and monks praying silently in the shadow, hiding from the heat.
Two small girls in an open window caught my attention. I can still feel their eyes following me while I was busy photographing a beautiful older lady. I turned around, and there they were, timidly looking at me but with great curiosity.
The contrast between the dark interior and their glowing faces struck me and this is one of my own personal favorites.
“ Laughing Monk Boys”, Myanmar 2020
In the Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung monastery in Inle Lake, the monk boys live and study for most of their youth. I remember the vibrant excitement when the young monks were heading down the hall way to their dormitory.
The monk boys were laughing and teasing each other and I was so fortunate to capture this precious moment of complicity and brotherly love. This was one of those moments all photographers dream to capture.
This is my most popular photograph.
“ Hidden Smile”, Vietnam 2024
On the border to China in the Northern Vietnam, I visited several small villages, where strangers rarely come. This beautiful woman in her 90’ ies , invited us into her clay hut, where she lives with her husband, an old war hero.
They gave us some unforgettable moments while talking about their life in this rural and harsh place.
As always, the women are very shy. I gave her some time, fooling around a little. I actually fell down from a little stool I was sitting on and she started laughing.
I am so grateful to have met this amazing woman. Most of the women in these village are very old yet they keep their beauty and grace.
“ Monk boy at Angkor Watt”, Cambodia 2022
The light was perfect, the colors were amazing and the young monk boy’s terracotta dyed clothes made a beautiful contrast to the ancient ruins of Angkor Watt.
I felt a deep respect and gratitude to experience this wonderful moment.
Some photos are taken - others are simply given!
“ Fishermen at Inle Lake, Myanmar 2020
I got up at 5 o’clock to watch the famous One-Leg Rover fishermen at work.
They start early before sunrise with a cup of tea prepared by their young assistants, often a son or a nephew. Then they prepare their special nets before throwing them into the water while rowing with one leg, which allow the arms to handle the nets.
This photo with 2 fishermen and their young assistants, won a “ Editor’s Choice” award in Life-framer’s Portrait competition in 2021.
“Sugar Cane Worker, Havana”, Cuba 2025
The smell of sugar cane, oil, dust and sweat was a great contrast to the handsome face of one of the workers.
I was photographing some factory workers when I found the beautiful green wall which matched surprisingly well their dark skin color and working clothes.
This photo has a raw sensuality which constantly surprises people.
“Soya Sauce Jars”, Vietnam 2024
Just outside the bustling city of Hanoi, you can find small villages where people are still busy with century old craftsmanship. Here a small factory producing soya sauce, which in Vietnam is yellow.
The smell of fermented soja raised from the ceramic jars. I was standing on the second floor of the factory to take the photo of the woman cooling down the jars with a water hose.
I love the colors of the handmade jars and how they fit together in a beautiful pattern.
“Laughing monk , Angkor Watt, 2022
A monk bursting into laughter is something so privately, and very difficult to find outside their own circles.
I felt very lucky to witness an unexpected moment like this.
I had spent an hour talking and walking in the ruins with the monk, who wanted so desperately to speak English. Then he sad down and another monk made him a comment in cambodian which made him laugh.
What a moment!
“Char coal Workers”, Myanmar 2020
In the dusty street in the Mandalay stone cutting area, these two women, mother and daughter, held a little store where they rinsed charcoal. They filled big bags with the charcoal and sold them on the market.
I enjoyed a beautiful moment photographing them…thrilled by their kindness, complicity and their grace despite their charcoal stained skin and clothes.
“Scarf vendors”, Myanmar 2020
The Inthein Village ( famous for their stupas) , where the local ladies produced and sold colorful scarves.
“Fish Trap Vendor”, Vietnam 2024
Weaving Fish Traps is a century old workmanship in Vietnam and often occupied by the elder people in the villages.
They sit all day long and weave these fish traps and other objects, that they sell on the local market.
It is a fascinating sight when the baskets are loaded on the bicycles ready to transport.
“Warriors “, Papua New Guinea, 2014
Cultural ceremonies and rituals are a big part of the festivities in Papua New Guinea.
Sing-sings and dancings are organized year round around different themes and the local tribes participate in their traditional outfits.
The gatherings can last for several days if people come from islands and places far away. They stay with relatives and continue the festivities long after the official ceremonies are over.
These two warriors participated in a Sing-Sing held in Kokopo in the East New Britain Island where I lived for 4 years.