THE PHILANTHROPIC PHOTOGRAPHER
Can you tell us about your journey as a fashion photographer? I learned about make-up during my studies at Chula’s Faculty of Communication Arts and I was doing make-up for plays since I was a freshman. Then I got to work on fashion shoots more and more as a make-up artist but I became truly fascinated with fashion after I spent some time in Japan. I felt like I could take on fashion photography. I did an internship with Volume magazine and also took a course in fashion photography, taught by renowned photographer Termsit Siriphanich. Before graduating, after his encouragement, I submitted my work to a competition organised by Harper Bazaar Thailand in 2007 and I won. The win led me to be hired as a fashion photographer. That was pretty much how I got my start.
How did the idea to use photography for a cause come about? As a Communication Arts student, I learned to design how to get my message across through various means. Photography happens to be my most effective tool. My first campaign “Blood for Buddies” was for Kasetsart University’s Animal Hospital. It was brought about by the death of my own dog. It suffered from a blood parasite and required blood transfusion. It was very difficult to find blood for my dog. So I wanted to raise awareness on canine blood donation and create a network of dog blood donors so the owners who need help would know where they could go.
How did the idea for “What’s Wrong With the Motherhood”, a photo series for Down Syndrome Hero Thailand, come about? Pic-A-Pet4Home had been hosting workshops where children with Down Syndrome and dogs can interact and play. I wanted to help so I decided to use fashion photography to draw the public’s attention to these children. Previously I talked with various publications about publishing pictures of these children but they were hesitant, thinking they may come across sad. But I’m confident in these children. I know them personally and they are good kids. They are not panya-on (retards). They may not make the same progress as other kids but they are more capable than you think. I want to show them in a positive light through these photos; too often, they are portrayed by the media as buffoons.
I also want to explore the definition of motherhood so I asked drag queen Pangina Heals, JoJo of Trasher as well as professional female models to post with these kids as their mothers. I wanted to challenge the image of mothers being clean-cut (the campaign was launched around Mother’s Day). I played on the word khun mae which has become an endearing term for women, gay men and M2F transgenders. Someone with a caring nature for the well-being of others can be a mother too and mothers can come in different forms. What’s the goal of this campaign? The parents told me the most important thing they want is to have the public treat their children as equals and as part of society. Some kids with special needs weren’t allowed to join a school trip. The teachers didn’t think they would be able to control themselves. Some are picked on by other kids. There’s still discrimination against these kids. Through the DSHT page, the parents share stories, pictures and videos of their children to de-stigmatise people with Down Syndrome. Some of the older kids hold proper jobs. Like Sun who sells hand-woven fabric and accessories through his online shop with help from his mother, or Sua who works as a recreation instructor at a school and is also competing in the ASEAN Para Games in Malaysia as a bowler.
What have you learned from doing this unique project? It makes me more patient and has also made me realise that I should treat everyone with respect. The children that I’ve worked with during this campaign are more well-behaved than some of the children I’ve met. I believe that if these children are well nurtured they could grow up to be good and quality members of society.
Are there other causes that you would like to base another project on? I have many, actually. I want to address providing care and comfort for terminally ill patients and their relatives. And how to mourn the death of a loved one.
Are you religious? I don’t believe in making merit at temples to receive good karma points. I believe we don’t remember those who passed away by how much money they made but what they did for others. When people pass away untimely, people mourn the loss of their talent. So I decided that while I’m alive, I should as well live up to my potential and use my ability for others.
What’s next for you? I have been working for 10 years now. I want to have my own exhibition one day but this year has been so busy.