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The perfect fashion photo rarely happens just by chance alone. What makes for the perfect fashion photo is definitely skill and a talent for art. Without training and experience, one might get a good photo – but not the best in the business. Getting the best photo, the one that is gorgeous and above the rest, is the job of someone like Photo Director, Lonh Menghkeang.

Known as “Bee,” Lonh Menghkeang became the art director and young co-founder of g-rise™ Photography – at only 22-years-old.

“I loved designing and creation since I was young, but I was not sure what 'design' and 'creative' meant,” said Lonh Menghkeang.

After finishing high school, Lonh Menghkeang studied at Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) with a major in Information Technology. During his second year of study at RUPP, Lonh Menghkeang took an interest in graphic design. He completed courses including: Graphic Design, Photo Editing, Decoration and Design Stage, and Fashion Design.

After graduating RUPP, Lonh Menghkeang was hired as a web designer. Although he was responsible for designing web layouts and templates, he still never gave up his dream of becoming a designer. He often spent his spare time reading books and searching the Internet to learn more about design and creation.

Besides working as a web designer, Lonh Menghkeang volunteered as an assistant to the art director of a Vietnamese photography agency. The agency had come to Cambodia to shoot some photography of the landscape, and Lonh Menghkeang took the opportunity to learn and explore his passion. When he first started working for the Vietnamese photo agency, he had been trained by their art director.

Lonh Menghkeang said that at first, he was just shooting creative photos with his friends. He explained that being in the right place at the right time is an essential element of dramatic outdoor photography, because light and weather cannot be controlled. After continuing in photography, his friends recommended that he create his own business because of his unique talent in photo and design.

Lonh Menghkeang explained that his business works well because “we have a sense of solidarity. We always put up with each other.” He added that although his friendships with his coworkers are strong, they must always remain tolerable of one another to avoid problems.

In addition, Lonh Menghkeang feels that has benefited from others’ criticism. He reflected, “Criticism can lead you to success.”

Today, Lonh Menghkeang is asked a lot if his photography agency can take on fashion and pre-wedding shoots. His business has been hired to co-operate on fashion photo shoots for several magazines and companies here in Cambodia.

Lonh Menghkeang expects to learn more related to art directing. He also hopes that in the future, the business and art of photography will be more developed in Cambodia. “We all try our best to get a nice photo, not only because of our business or our career, but also for developing [the art of] photography in Cambodia,” he said.

Lonh Menghkeang is satisfied with his work, no matter how busy it can be at times. “Working as art director,” he explained, “I’m sometimes happy and sometimes tired. But, this is the work that I love.”