The complete guide to an Angkor Wat family photoshoot
An outfit guide for the best pictures
Planning an Angkor Wat family photoshoot is exciting, but if you’re travelling with young children, it’s natural to have questions.
How long should you book? What time of day is best? What should everyone wear? Will the children cope with the heat? And what happens if it rains?
After photographing families at Angkor Wat for more than a decade, I’ve found that a little planning makes a huge difference. This guide answers the questions I’m asked most often and shares the advice I give my own clients before their photoshoot.
After photographing families at Angkor Wat for more than a decade, I’ve found that a little planning makes a huge difference. This guide answers the questions I’m asked most often and shares the advice I give families before their photoshoot, helping them enjoy the experience and get the best possible results.
Is an Angkor Wat family photoshoot suitable for young children?
Yes! Some of my favourite photoshoots have been with young families.
Children don’t need to pose perfectly or smile at the camera the entire time. In fact, some of the best photographs happen when they’re simply exploring the temples, holding your hand or interacting naturally with their surroundings.
The key is keeping expectations realistic.
Angkor Wat is an incredible place to visit, but it’s also hot and humid for much of the year. Add in an early morning start, plenty of walking and the excitement of travelling, and young children usually have a fairly limited window before they begin to lose interest.
That’s completely normal, and it’s something I plan for during every family photoshoot.
The goal isn’t to keep children entertained for hours. It’s to work with their energy levels, capture the moments that matter, and make the experience enjoyable for everyone.
How long should we book?
For most families with children around 10 years old and under, I recommend a 1.5-hour photoshoot.
I know it can be tempting to book a longer session. For many families, visiting Angkor Wat is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and it’s understandable to want to make the most of it.
In my experience, though, young children simply don’t last as long as most parents expect.
The best photographs usually happen during the first part of the session, while everyone is still fresh. As the morning goes on, the heat, humidity and walking begin to take their toll. Children become tired, lose interest and often just want breakfast or to head back to the hotel.
One thing many visitors underestimate is Cambodia’s climate. Even early in the morning, the combination of heat and humidity can be surprisingly draining, especially if you’ve only recently arrived or aren’t used to tropical weather.
Of course, every family is different. Some children love being outdoors, travel regularly or are used to being photographed, and they’re perfectly happy with a longer session.
That’s why I offer the option to extend family photoshoots if you’d like more time. My recommendation of 1.5 hours is simply based on what I’ve found works best for most families over the years.
What time of day is best?
Not only is the light at its most beautiful, but young children are usually at their happiest and most energetic first thing in the morning. As the day goes on, the temperature rises quickly and the temples become much busier.
An early start also gives us the opportunity to photograph some of Angkor Wat’s most popular locations before large tour groups arrive. The result is a more relaxed experience and photographs that feel much calmer.
If your children normally wake up early at home, they’re often surprisingly happy at sunrise during a holiday too. The excitement of visiting Angkor Wat usually helps.
One tip I do give families is to avoid packing too much into the same morning. After a sunrise photoshoot, most young children are ready for breakfast, a swim or a rest back at the hotel. Trying to continue sightseeing for several more hours can make for a very long day.
If you’re visiting Angkor Wat for more than one day, I generally recommend treating your photoshoot as the main activity that morning and leaving the rest of the day flexible.next
What time of year is best?
The good news is that there isn’t a bad time of year for an Angkor Wat family photoshoot. Every season has its own advantages.
The coolest months are generally November to February, making them the most comfortable for families with young children. Morning temperatures are lower, humidity is more manageable, and children often stay happy for longer.
From March to May, temperatures rise significantly. Early morning sessions are still absolutely possible, but I recommend keeping them shorter, especially for younger children.
The green season (June to October) brings occasional rain, greener landscapes and fewer visitors. The temples look beautiful at this time of year, although humidity is higher and insect repellent becomes more important.
(Insert your month-by-month temperature and humidity table here.)
Climate averages are useful, but they don’t tell the whole story. In my experience, humidity often affects young children more than temperature itself. A warm morning with high humidity can feel much more tiring than the thermometer suggests, particularly if you’ve just arrived in Cambodia.
Whatever time of year you visit, an early morning start is still the best way to avoid the hottest part of the day.
What should we wear?
What you wear can have a big impact on how your photos look, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. The most important thing is choosing clothing that photographs well while keeping everyone comfortable throughout the session.
For the looks
Soft, neutral colours tend to complement the sandstone temples beautifully and help keep the focus on your family. I generally recommend avoiding large logos, bright graphics and heavily patterned clothing, as these can distract from the photographs.
If possible, try to coordinate your outfits rather than matching exactly. Choosing colours that work well together usually creates a more natural and timeless look.
Dress for comfort and the conditions
Cambodia is hot and humid for much of the year, so lightweight, breathable clothing will help everyone stay comfortable.
If you’re visiting during the green season (roughly May to October), it’s also worth thinking about practicality. After rain, there can be quite a few insects around the temples, particularly ants. Closed shoes are usually a better choice than sandals for young children, both for comfort and to avoid unwanted bites.
If you’re planning to explore beyond the main paths, long trousers can also help protect against insects and make the experience more comfortable.
For more outfit inspiration, colour ideas and examples from real photoshoots, read my complete guide to what to wear for an Angkor photoshoot.
Preparing young children for the photoshoot
A little preparation can make a big difference to how the morning goes.
Don't worry if your child isn't perfectly behaved
I’ve photographed plenty of energetic, shy and unpredictable children over the years. It’s completely normal, and I never expect children to stand still or smile on command for an entire session.
Some of my favourite photographs happen when children are simply being themselves.
Bring a small snack
If your children normally have breakfast after waking up, bringing a small snack can be a great idea.
A muesli bar, crackers or some fruit can provide a quick energy boost if they’re starting to get tired towards the end of the session. There’s no need for anything elaborate—just something easy to carry that they enjoy.
Let them be children
The best family photographs rarely come from asking children to look at the camera every few seconds.
Instead, I encourage families to walk together, talk, laugh and explore the temples naturally. Those genuine interactions almost always produce the photographs people end up loving most.
Keep expectations realistic
Every child is different.
Some will be excited from start to finish, while others might lose interest after half an hour. That’s completely normal, and it’s one of the reasons I work at your family’s pace rather than trying to rush through a checklist of poses.
A relaxed experience almost always leads to better photographs.
What should we bring?
There’s no need to bring much to your family photoshoot, but a few small items can make the morning a little more comfortable.
Water
A couple of bottles of water that will fit easily in a small bag helps if kids’ get thirsty.
A small bag
I recommend bringing a small backpack or shoulder bag for essentials such as your phone, wallet, sunglasses and any items you don’t want in your pockets during the photoshoot.
Insect repellent
If you’re visiting during the green season, applying insect repellent before we start is a good idea, particularly for young children.
A small snack
If your children are likely to get hungry, bringing a small snack can be very helpful towards the end of the session.
A small towel
Cambodia’s humidity can catch people by surprise. A small hand towel can be useful for drying sweaty faces or hands between locations, especially during the warmer months.
Have a look at this recent family photoshoot
Where should we do a family photoshoot in Angkor?
Angkor Wat is, of course, the centrepiece of most family photoshoots. It’s the world’s largest religious monument and the iconic image that brings many families to Cambodia.
I also love photographing families at Ta Prohm, particularly early in the morning. Before the crowds arrive, it’s peaceful, atmospheric and a wonderful place for children to explore beneath the enormous tree roots.
Over the years, I’ve also found several smaller temples and quieter locations that most visitors never see. They’re ideal for family photos, giving us the opportunity to slow down, avoid the crowds and create images that feel much more personal.
Just as importantly, these quieter locations often make the experience itself more enjoyable. Instead of weaving through hundreds of tourists, children have space to explore naturally, parents can relax, and the whole morning feels a little more magical.
The exact locations I recommend depend on your family’s ages, the length of your session and the time of year, but I always aim to create a balance between capturing the iconic photographs everyone wants and finding peaceful places where your family can simply enjoy being together.
Continue planning your Angkor Wat photoshoot
Photoshoots at your hotel
Angkor Wat is the main reason many families book a photoshoot, but it’s not the only option.
Siem Reap is home to some beautiful hotels and resorts, many with tropical gardens, elegant architecture and peaceful surroundings that work wonderfully for family photography.
A hotel photoshoot can be a great choice if you’re travelling with very young children, have limited time, or simply prefer a more relaxed experience without the early morning start.
Some families also choose to combine a shorter session at Angkor Wat with photographs back at their hotel for a wider variety of images.
If you’re staying at a hotel with beautiful grounds, I’d be happy to let you know if it’s suitable for a family photoshoot.