Meet Kak Phirom – The Photographer Who Captures Cambodia’s essence

Through a spark of inspiration, Kak Phirom turned life’s hardship into a stunning portrait of success. From a tuk-tuk driver to a celebrated photographer, discover how he frames Cambodia’s untold stories and finds beauty in life’s simplest things! 

SEE THE WORLD THROUGH A RESILIENT LENS 

Life is just like photography—the way you see things changes everything. Born amidst the chaos of Cambodia and Vietnam’s conflict, Phirom had to spend his early life in a refugee camp along the Thai border. In 1992, he and his family returned to their hometown of Siem Reap, but rebuilding their lives was a daily struggle. As the eldest of 11 siblings, Phirom had to juggle labour-intensive jobs from hauling bricks to selling livestock and driving a tuk-tuk to support his family.  

Yet, even in the darkest times, he refused to accept that this was all life had to offer and wanted to break free from the cycle of poverty and build a better future. “I said to myself: ‘You can’t do this for long; you have to figure out what to do’” he shared as he realised that education would be his only path forward. Changing his perspective—cleaning his lens, so to speak, our tuk-tuk driver began taking English lessons every late night to be a licensed tour guide, increase his income and take the very first step to make his dream come true.  

RIGHT EXPOSURE, RIGHT PEOPLE 

A great photo emerges when exposed to perfect light, just as opportunities arise when you’re exposed to the right people, like this life-changing encounter that Phirom had in 2014: While driving his tuk-tuk, he met an American tourist who handed him a camera to fiddle with. Initially hesitant, he snapped a photo of children playing with a puppy in an orphanage—a moment that sparked a passion he never knew existed in him.  

After that eureka moment, he took a risky decision: trading his money-making tuk-tuk for a Canon EOS 500D to follow his dream. Despite being rejected multiple times when seeking jobs as a photography tour guide or photographer’s assistant, Phirom never regretted his choice, as the sheer joy of capturing moments fueled his determination. To hone his craft,  he began exploring photography in Phnom Penh, dedicating countless hours to practice through small photography commissions. 

Four years of hard work finally paid off with a  life-changing encounter: While shooting for an event, he met and agreed to work  with the owners of Tribe Urban Art Gallery and eventually became one of their featured artists. This opportunity couldn’t come at a better time when he was on the verge of giving up – “When I was starting to really doubt my choices and myself, I met people who gave me signs, who gave me food for my brain to think positively.” 

FOCUS AND CLICK: THE “ONE DAY, ONE WAY” EXHIBITION 

Fast forward to today, Phirom has achieved his dream as he becomes a professional photographer and offers photography tours in and around Siem Reap. From the colourful Old Market to the moss-covered structures of Angkor Wat, his tours offer more than just photo-taking opportunities, but also a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the local culture and people.

This same spirit permeates his first exhibition, “One Day, One Way”. Just like its name, the collection captures the simple yet beautiful moments of life along Cambodia’s revitalized northern railway. Over seven months, he documented the most vibrant scenes of the country: from children leaping into rivers to families waiting for trains, and a poignant portrait of a man finding solace in a free ride. These photographs celebrate everyday life while offering viewers a unique glimpse into the transformation of Cambodia and the resilience of its people. 

ABOUT HUMANS OF VIVU JOURNEYS

The “Humans of Vivu Journeys“ series is about celebrating the humble and dedicating people who bring our company to life. More than a glimpse into the travel industry, through their stories of passion, adventure, and dedication, we hope to show you the heart and soul behind the journeys we create for our beloved customers. 

Just like the train that drives Phirom’s inspiration for the exhibition, his journey will never stop as long as it can still carry people’s stories.Contact us at [email protected], to receive the full Local Legends brochure or to learn more about our Local Legends program!