The Karen Hill Tribe of Mae Hong Son

Elegance, beauty, and grace found in the simple things we do in our daily lives. Portrayed through a mother and child, the composition tells us a story. The baby looking away manifests the safety, security, and trust implemented in the mother by the clutch of his small hand as she enables to feed herself, getting on with her daily chores. The inseparable connection between the two comes together in unison and harmony as one created by strong contrast and movement.

"This should be on the cover of National Geographics."

- Ajarn Donald

[Geography teacher]

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This man intrigued me when I came across his presence in Mae Hong Son. A joyful and open minded soul with a captivating face that told a story. From his clothing to the wrinkles on his skin, to the turban on his head - they highlight and portray his craftsmanship abilities as he weaves the light bamboo pieces together into one single frame enhancing his uniqueness and speciality of abilities. Although now an elder, his young spirit still remains.

Each child around the same age has a mesmerizing charm about him or her. Each curious in it's own ways, seeks to understand this wretched society we live in today. Through the eyes of a child one can see mainly good, but eyes at times can be deceiving and twist our minds. One must remember that even though children are unable to express themselves fully in words as we adults do, they have their own language in which they learn and develop from us. They watch us with every move that we make they may follow, therefore the moral of the story is to seek out the best in us and set good examples for the future generations of our nation.​

An elderly wise old woman, neither scared nor sad, in the midst of realization reflecting upon the juxtaposition of the youth of her generation and of ours today. Looking closer into her eyes, one can see that her youth still runs strongly throughout her veins. A blank facial expression that tells a thousand tales. No happiness, no sadness, just wonder as she looked at me when I took her photograph.

Hiatus, a noun meaning a pause or break in continuity, in a sequence or activity. For this series, I wanted to portray the simplistic lifestyle and conditions of the villagers living in the hill tribes of Northern Thailand. I wanted to showcase their daily routines to contrast and reflect our own routines. To think of "first world problems", when others living in third world countries live on just the basic supplements that life has to offer them.

There is no bond stronger than the love for a mother for her child.

While the rest of us were hard at work on building their new cafeteria, these two were having a ball.

​A father's love for his daughter.

After being the cutest little troublemaker at the show, this little one started getting a lil' sleepy.

Admiring the work in progress of the new cafeteria being built by us.

Kids being kids.

We all remember those simpler days.

Drawn in by her craft

Following in the footsteps of the elders.

Community.

Daily chores.

Curiosity in security.

When two worlds collide.

Wisdom seen in his eyes.

As the saying goes, the eyes are the window to the soul.

Nap time.

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

Local guide roaming around the wilderness in flip flops.

Scenery of the hike to the village.

Spotted casually bathing as we trekked by on our way to the village.