Bhutan

I didn’t know much about Bhutan before I went. It was one of several school trip options, and I chose it because it felt like the most unfamiliar. I thought it would be a unique experience, something completely different from what I was used to. After doing a bit of research, I became even more interested. The culture, the values, the landscape, all of it felt rich and layered.

What surprised me once I got there was how familiar it felt in some ways. The people were kind. Their lives were different, but their emotions, their routines, their sense of humor all reminded me of home. I spent much of the trip in awe. Sometimes it was the view. Other times it was just watching someone work or laugh.

I wanted to capture Bhutan as it really was. Not just the major landmarks or dramatic views, but the moments in between. The ones that are easy to overlook. A group of monks walking together. A soccer game in the valley. The rhythm of daily life.

I wouldn’t place the series in any one category. It’s part documentary, but it’s also just me responding to what felt meaningful. I photographed whatever struck me as beautiful or worth remembering.

This trip gave me a new perspective on how we see each other. People can live in completely different ways and still feel familiar. That’s what I hope these photos show. That Bhutan is not just stunning, but full of life that feels real and close.

This is what I saw. This is what stayed with me.