EXPLORE INDOCHINA

This Better Moments Indochina photography workshop is your chance to travel with a small, intimate group of passionate photographers while staying at the best hotels along your way.  You will have all the time in the world to take the images you are looking for, whilst at the same time get a maximum of mentoring. You will have the opportunity to work in private with Christian Nørgaard, who will guide and support you throughout the most important parts of the photographic process.

There are other benefits as well. We are more flexible, can move faster, improvise, and explore cities and other environments that we wouldn’t visit with a bigger group. We will cover some of the distance by boat and sail along the Mekong River to experience its many faces. We will embark on a rustic and simple river tour as  has been the custom for centuries.

The trip is divided into three main segments; Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.

Thailand: we will feel the pulse of Bangkok’s capital and the northern part of Thailand. A corner of Thailand that is not yet overwhelmed by tourists.

Laos: Luang Prabang, the capital of Luang Prabang Province in northern Laos, served as the royal capital of Laos until 1975. Here, we will meet the local people and explore their culture and the lush nature around the city.

Cambodia: Christian Nørgaard visited Angkor Wat for the first time more than 25 years ago. “I was amazed and overwhelmed by the culture and the historical ruins. Even 25 years later, I still get goosebumps when I see the sunrise over the ruins of Angkor Wat”.

Christian Nørgaard

 

    Highlights

    • Explore Indochina with Better Moments founder Christian Nørgaard
    • Sail down the Mekong river from Thailand to Laos
    • Visit the spectacular temple complex Angkor Wat
    • See Pak Ou caves with thousands of Buddha statues
    • Travel in a small group
    • Daily on-location workshops and theory sessions
    • 1-on-1 private portfolio review with Christian Nørgaard
    • Meet the locals and learn about their culture and traditions
Reserve Your Spot Today

Expert CHRISTIAN NØRGAARD

Christian Nørgaard CEO of Better Moments photo shooting portrait of locals outdoor behind-the-scenes

More about Christian Nørgaard

Christian Nørgaard is the founder and CEO of Better Moments. For years, he has photographed and traveled extensively in Asia and has received wide acclaim for his unique photographic talent. In recent years he has also collaborated with Steve McCurry and other National Geographic’s leading photographers for exhibitions and events. His workshop in Indochina is a unique opportunity for any photographer to combine adventure, travel, street, portrait, and landscape photography and to work with one of the best in the field.

EXPAND WITH PASSION

On Location

  • Teaching and training on the best techniques along with special tips and personalized advice.
  • Learn to create dramatic and interesting photographs using composition, perspective and focal points.
  • Learn how to use different exposure times and aperture settings in various light conditions.
  • How to handle equipment with care on location and prepare for going in the field.
  • Private hands-on lessons with Christian Nørgaard that will help you to take your photography skills to the next level, no matter your starting point.
  • How to comfortably approach people for street and portrait photography.
  • How to use your camera as a tool for storytelling.

In Classroom

  • Daily reviews of the images you have taken throughout the day with constructive criticism to help you improve your skill-set
  • Daily on-location and theory workshops with Christian Nørgaard
  • Digital workflow
  • How to create a visual narrative that can be used in a book, magazine or exhibition.
  • Private 1-on-1 portfolio review

ITINERARY

DAY 0: ARRIVAL IN BANGKOK
To ensure that you are acquainted with the local time and tropical climate, we suggest you travel in a day or two before the start of the workshop. If you arrive one or several days earlier, you can use the day to relax or explore Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. If you wish, Better Moments can help you with booking a hotel and local excursions.

Throughout this workshop, there will be regular 1-on-1 teaching and mentoring as well as evening presentations by Christian Nørgaard. We will hold workshops in post production and editing, and discuss your images on a daily basis. Whenever possible, Christian will hold improvised lectures. Therefore, there won’t be a fixed schedule for this workshop. Instead, we will decide on a day-to-day basis and whenever the opportunity arises. Traveling in a small group allows us to be flexible and attend to everyone’s questions and needs.

 

Bangkok's illuminated skyscrapers

DAY 1: THAILAND – CHIANG RAI – THE ENCHANTED TEMPLE
Morning flights to Chian Rai and transfer to our hotel.

Chiang Rai is the capital of the Chiang Rai Province, located in northern Thailand. It is close to the borders to Myanmar and Laos.

Our first on-location photo session will take place at the Hloyo Akha Hilltribe, which lives on the border of Burma and Laos, also called The Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle is the area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers. Today, you will work together with Christian Nørgaard and get his unique advice to optimize your photography.

 

Three Thai with tatooes on their back walk through an alley way

Monks are crossing a bridge with a fisherman watching

DAY 2: THAILAND – SETTING SAILS FOR PAK BENG
Today, we start our two-day river trip down the Mekong River. The Mekong forms the border with Laos. On a traditional boat, we will set sail for an authentic experience. We’ll float silently through lush Laotian jungle and visit villages inhabited by various local tribes along our way. Late in the day, we will arrive in the small town of Pak Beng on the river bank, which nestles up to a hilly slope. Here, we’ll stay and get the chance to experience life as it is lived by most of the Lao population.
While we are sailing, we also use the time for workshops such as: How can I optimize and become better at meeting people and complicated landscapes with my camera?

Boats on the Mekong river

DAY 3: LAOS – ARRIVAL IN LUANG PRABANG
At dawn we may see the local forest workers arriving at Mekong River with their elephants. Here, the elephants drink and wash themselves before a long day in the jungle. Steep hillsides and dense jungles await us on today’s sailing. On our way, we dock at the Pak Ou caves where some of Laos’ most important cultural treasures are found in the form of thousands of ancient Buddha statues collected from across the country for centuries. In the evening we arrive in Luang Prabang, Laos’ second largest city, which is included on UNESCO’s list of cultural heritage sites.
During the day, you will work closely with Christian Nørgaard.
After dinner – a constructive review by Christian Nørgaard of your photos taken during the day.

Houseboats on the Mekong river

DAY 4-6: LAOS – LUANG PRABANG – DAYS OF TRULY GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY
We have some busy days in front of us!

The focus will lie on street photography, portraits of local monks at dawn as well as the many sights that hide behind the city’s facades. We will of course visit the lavish temples of Wat Sensoukarahm, with their ruby red and gold facades, and Wat Xieng Thong, where gold decorations adorn every wall, pillar and door. We will visit the local school for monks – a wonderful morning and day with photogenic monks in their daily surroundings. We will also have the opportunity to explore the unique landscape around Kuang Si Waterfall. Kuang Si Waterfall is considered one of the world’s absolutely most beautiful and exotic waterfalls.

Doing the day, Christian Nørgaard runs one-on-one private workshops with you.

After dinner or breakfast, constructive reviews by Christian Nørgaard of your photos taken during the day.

Happy seller at a market in Laos during our Indochina workshop

Kuang Si waterfalls in Laos

DAY 6: CAMBODIA – WELCOME TO ANGKOR WAT
From Luang Prabang we travel to Siem Reap, a resort town in northwestern Cambodia. Siam Reap is the gateway to the ruins of the magnificent Angkor Wat temples, the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th–15th centuries.

We will enjoy a nice evening in Siem Reap, find a cozy local restaurant for dinner, and recharge our creative batteries for the next days, which will be very unique and busy.

Tonight: Lecture by Christian Nørgaard on the greatest and most important photographers in our history of photography.

Elderly man in Siem Reap, cambodia Two monks in orange robes walk in rain with umbrella in hand

DAY 7: CAMBODIA – EXPLORE ANGKOR WAT
The Angkor Wat is the largest of many temples that are sited in the area and has given its name to the whole area. Angkor Wat is one of the buildings that continue to astound visitors, and it leaves no doubt that the Khmer Empire had a magnificent past. In the first rays of the sun, we will arrive at the legendary buildings enclosed by rainforest – a magnificent day begins. Welcome to Angkor Wat. You better bring enough batteries and SD cards with you.

The old city center is now a ruined city surrounded by a square, with eight-meter high walls. After passing the entrance gate flanked by impressive elephants, we move into the Bayon Temple, located in the exact center of the city. We will look for the best angles and light to take photos of the fascinating architecture.

Walk and shoot together with Christian Nørgaard to get his unique advice to optimize your photography.

Moreover, we will visit local monasteries where the monks work in the classrooms, and we will follow some of them on their way through the historic buildings. Their orange robes provide a stunning contrast to the green shade of the ruins and rainforest and allow for some great photography.

After dinner or breakfast: Constructive reviews by Christian Nørgaard of your photos taken during the day.

Sunrise over Angkor Wat's ruins

DAY 8: CAMBODIA – BENG MEALA – OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Another exciting and exceptional day awaits. Today, we will visit Beng Mealea, a temple located 40km away from Angkor Wat.

The temple can not be accurately dated, and its exact history is unknown, but it was originally built as a Hindu temple which is reflected in the extensive carvings with scenes from Hindu mythology. Beng Mealea is not as extensive as Angkor Wat and not nearly as well-known or visited by tourists. The ruin is much rougher and overgrown. It invites you to walk, climb and explore the jungle surroundings with your camera.

After dinner: Constructive reviews by Christian Nørgaard of your photos taken during the day and a lecture about travel and portrait photography.
DAY 9: CAMBODIA – DINNER IN THE RICE FIELD AND THE SUNRISE OVER ANGKOR WAT
Experience the sunrise over the mighty and historic temple area, Angkor Wat – probably the workshop’s greatest experiences and highlights.
Morning photography can be a bit challenging, but don’t worry. Christian Nørgaard will guide you to set up your camera to optimize your morning photography.
At sunset we take off by private boat for our farewell dinner. We will enjoy a wonderful and tasteful local dinner in the heart of the rice fields, to where we arrive by our private boat—a truly wonderful evening to end an adventurous workshop.

Cambodian woman in traditional dress

DAY 10: Morning photography
There is time for shopping and photography at the local marked before we fly back to Bangkok, from where you can catch your flight to your home destination.

Get Inspiration

Enjoy our workshop catalog with stunning photos by Christian Nørgaard

Read the Catalogue Here
Including workshop intinerary, expert interview, quick tips and equipment list

TRAVEL FACTS

Thanks for choosing Better Moments for your workshop.

Facts

  • 11-19 October 2023
  • 10 Days
  • Number of guests: 6
Included
  • Local transport
  • Cruise Thailand-Laos
  • Plane to Cambodia
  • Accommodation
  • All meals
Not included
  • Travel to and from the workshop destination
  • Visa and taxes
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance

 

Ask Us

Do you have any questions about the workshop or would you like to go on a private customized tour? Send us an email.

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Price

    • € 6,950 in single room.
    • € 6,650 in shared double room.
    • Groups sign-up a group of 4+ participants and receive a group discount.
    • All prices are per person.

 

    • INVITE A FRIEND
      Got a friend or special someone you’d love to bring?
      With our INVITE A FRIEND-initiative, you’ll be able to bring someone with you to our locations without having to enroll them in our workshops and save up to 25% of the total rate, depending on availability!

 

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Overview

Better Moments - Map Indochina workshop

QUICK GUIDE GETTING THERE

GETTING THERE

All international flights arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport, also known as Bangkok Airport.

VISA

All visitors are required to have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay, and all visitors will need a visa. Most nationalities can enter on a tourist visa, but contact and confirm with your local embassy to be sure.

WEATHER

The average temperature in our region of travel is around 25°C.

LANGUAGE

The official language of Thailand is Central Thai, in Laos it is Lao, and in Cambodia it is Khmer, though French is still used in many of its cultural institutions. Most can also communicate in English.

CURRENCY

Laos: LAK, Laotian Kip
Thailand: THB, Thai Baht
Cambodia: KHR, Cambodian Riel

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Click for our Term and Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions
Click to view our FAQ
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