Phnom Penh Photography Collective: Capturing Community and Culture
PPPC
Phnom Penh has no shortage of stories to tell, and one group is making sure those stories are captured, shared, and celebrated. The Phnom Penh Photography Collective (PPPC) has quickly become a hub for both professionals and amateurs who want to look beyond the technical “how” of photography and dive into the deeper “why.”
Since its founding in 2023, PPPC has grown from small, casual photo walks to citywide exhibitions that bring together international talent, local students, and curious newcomers. With exhibitions hosted in creative venues like Kinin Collective, Maloop, and Nesat Seafood House, the group has positioned itself at the intersection of culture, creativity, and community. Their work has also built bridges with organizations such as the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF), where young people are given the chance to see their images displayed alongside award-winning photographers.
In this interview, PPPC founder Shunsuke Miyatake, known affectionately as Take for short, shares more about the origins, impact, and vision of the Collective, and why Phnom Penh is such an extraordinary city to capture through a lens.
Origins & Inspiration
Q: “How did the Phnom Penh Photography Collective first come together, and what was the inspiration for creating a community around photography in Cambodia?”Take:
I had been organizing photo walks just for fun irregularly since 2016. There were so many competitions, online contents, and exhibitions, but they were focusing on competition rather than collaboration and ‘how’ (how to get more followers / how to ride trends / how to monetize etc.) rather than ‘why’ (why we photograph, why we share stories, why it matters in Cambodia etc.) in Cambodia. And I realized there wasn’t a consistent space in Phnom Penh where photographers could meet, share, and learn from each other.
A photo of Shunsuke ‘Take’ Miyatake. Credit: Kofi Oduro
That’s why I started Phnom Penh Photography Collective in February 2023 with a really small group of photographers in town. The inspiration was to change that to build a community that’s not about competition or ‘how’, but about creativity, belonging, storytelling and ‘why’. What matters is passion, not whether you’re a professional or just starting out.
Community Impact
Q: “What kind of impact has PPPC seen so far from the events you’ve been involved with to work you collaborate on — such as with the youth from Cambodian Children’s Fund on the latest event?”
Take:
We’ve seen how photography can open doors for connection and opportunity. For example, our Samaki exhibition attracted almost 900 visitors in a month and raised funds to support education. More recently, with the Photography for Empowerment exhibition, we worked with Kinin Collective (Kinin / Maloop / Nesat) and the students from Cambodian Children’s Fund.
Photo from the Samaki Exhibition: PPPC
Their photos stood alongside those of award-winning photographers. That kind of visibility and confidence boost is life-changing. Beyond exhibitions, our workshops and photo walks also help beginners and students build real skills they can use in their daily lives.
(Editor’s note: Kinin Collective and its sister venues Maloop and Nesat have become central to Phnom Penh’s creative nightlife, known for combining food, design, and community projects. Collaborating with them gives PPPC a platform that reaches both locals and expats in an accessible, social setting.)
The Phnom Penh Lens
Q: “Every city has its own rhythm. What do you think makes Phnom Penh such a unique place to capture through photography, and what do you hope international audiences see in these images?”
Take:
Phnom Penh is a city of contrasts. New and old, traditional and modern, bustling and quiet. One moment you see a monk walking past a high-rise construction site, the next you find cyclo drivers pedaling next to Lamborghini.
PPPC
We can see the cool bars and restaurants everywhere but street vendors are selling fruits and vegetables in front of them. It’s raw, unfiltered, and very human. What I hope international audiences see is not just “exotic Cambodia,” but the real everyday lives of people here.
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Their resilience, humor, struggles, and beauty. I hope audiences understand Cambodian culture isn’t only Apsara dancers, Van Molyvann architecture, or Angkor Wat, it’s also the everyday lives of people, because culture here is woven into daily routines and street corners.
Creative Lifestyle in Cambodia
Q: “CLS highlights lifestyle and creative communities in Cambodia. What role do you see photography playing in Phnom Penh’s growing creative scene, and how does PPPC fit into that?”
Take:
Photography is one of the most accessible creative tools. Almost everyone has a phone or camera, and it becomes a way to document, to express identity, and to join conversations about change. Phnom Penh’s creative scene is still young, but growing fast, and photography plays a central role in shaping its voice. PPPC contributes by being open and inclusive. We connect professionals with amateurs, locals with internationals, and we make sure creativity is for everyone, not just a select few.
PPPC
Behind the Photographers
Q: “Many of your contributors — from award-winning local talents to international creatives — bring different perspectives. Can you share a story or example of how those diverse backgrounds influence the collective’s work?”
Take:
One of my favorite things is when someone new joins a photo walk. You might have a local student walking side by side with a French street photographer, or a Cambodian drone shooter with a British documentary photographer. Each sees the same city differently, one might focus on hidden alleyways, another on the skyline, another on a grandmother selling fruit.
PPPC
When we bring those images together in exhibitions, the result is a multi-layered portrait of Phnom Penh that no single photographer could achieve alone. That mix of perspectives is exactly what makes PPPC special, it’s Phnom Penh seen through 500 lenses, never just one.
Looking Ahead
Q: “Beyond Phnom Penh Eclectic, what are your future plans? Are there upcoming exhibitions, collaborations, or projects that CLS readers should look out for?”
Take:
Yes, absolutely. We’re planning more themed exhibitions, new skill-sharing workshops, and we’re exploring ideas like a “Photography for Social Good” challenge where we use photography to spotlight issues like plastic waste, women entrepreneurs, or disappearing heritage.
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We’re also developing a youth incubation program, where young Cambodian photographers will get mentorship and the chance to run their own visual campaigns. The goal is always the same, to elevate local talent and to use photography not just for art, but for positive social impact.
Find out more about the PPPC on their facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pppcollective
Check Out our online gellery website: https://www.kinincollective.com/p4e
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Author: Tom Starkey
Tom Starkey is an International Development graduate from Sussex University with 12-years of experience across 4 continents, Tom's goal is that he wants to showcase his love for Cambodia, where he lives, works and now happily calls home.
