In creating this collection of photographs, we reached out to previous participants of the Anjali Photo Workshops, inviting them to choose what they wanted the world to see from our little corner of Siem Reap, Cambodia.
These photographs, created by children and youths, have all been selected by their adult selves. It was a privilege for us to return to them their entire collection – hundreds of images created during the workshops, with some from as far back as 2008.
Representing cherished memories of childhood, old friends, family and the homes they grew up in, these images testify to the vital documentary and archival role of photography, a role we often take for granted in this digital age. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to help preserve their memories of their younger selves, as well as places and scenes in Siem Reap which will inevitably disappear in the years to come.
The Anjali Photo Workshops are organised by the non-profit Angkor Photo Festival & Workshops. It began in 2005 as an informal photography workshop by photographer Antoine D’Agata for a group of street children in Siem Reap. Buoyed by the positive response and the impact it had, the workshops became an annual event, and led to the creation of the now independent NGO Anjali House in 2007. We continue collaborating with Anjali House till this day to organise photography activities for their students.
The aim of the Anjali Photo Workshops is to nurture the children’s innate creativity through open-ended photography workshops guided by volunteer photographers. The workshops are conducted in a fun, open-ended format that emphasises individual freedom of expression, consisting of a series of outdoor photography excursions and group discussions.
In addition to learning to value their own unique vision, the workshops also teaches the children to respect the expressions of others. Not only does this expand their ability to interact with their peers and the world around them, it also bolsters their sense of self-confidence and awareness of their environment and surroundings.
The Angkor Photo Festival & Workshops was launched in 2005 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, as a non-profit organisation with a key purpose: to offer photographers in Asia affordable and accessible opportunities for professional development and growth.
