Capturing Angkor Wat: 17 Photography Tips for Snapping the Perfect Shot
Scribbled by Claire ◊ 22 Feb 2025
Below is everything we can think of to help you take the best photos possible on your visit to (probably) the most beautiful human-built place on our entire planet. It includes a list of Angkor Wat photography tips (some obvious and some less so), along with useful ticketing and logistics information.
Our first jaunt to the inimitable Angkor Wat temple complex was during my camera-free, budget-backpacking, dirty-traveller phase (when my backpack was actually lightweight and I didn’t travel with half the world’s worth of electronics and lenses).
During that trip, I remember having a moment; I realised that discovering this unfathomable place was one of the most spectacular moments of my life. It was so visually impressive; I genuinely cannot say I’ve seen many places like it since.
A few years back I purchased a proper camera. I’d regularly look back on my sketchy phone photos, reminiscing about our time there and desperately wishing I’d taken better shots. So, in 2025, we planned a two-week Cambodia trip, more than a week of which was spent in Siem Reap, in order to fulfil my wish.
Thankfully, Angkor Wat was just as magical as I remembered (more astonishing actually – but my memory is questionable and unreliable, plus I drank a lot of beer back in the day).
If you’re interested, have a peek at our corresponding post on the best Angkor Wat photography locations.
IN THIS GUIDE //
Angkor Wat Photography Tips
TICKETS FOR ANGKOR WAT
– HOW TO BUY A TICKET
– TICKET TYPES AND COSTS
HOW LONG TO SPEND AT ANGKOR WAT
ANGKOR WAT PHOTOGRAPHER TIPS
– QUICK PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
– MORE DETAILED PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
OUR CAMERA GEAR
BEST SEASON FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AT ANGKOR WAT
THINGS TO PACK
FINAL THOUGHTS
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Tickets for Angkor Wat
Valid entry tickets for the Angkor Wat complex can only be bought from the main ticket office or online through their official website.
How to buy an Angkor Wat Ticket
There are two ways to buy a ticket for Angkor Wat:
Online | pre-booking is a great way to skip the queues. Visa, Mastercard and ABA Pay can be used to buy tickets directly online. Once complete, you just print your ticket off or keep it on your phone.
In person | at the ticket office on Apsara Road, there are various lanes depending on if you’re buying a 1-, 3- or 7-day ticket (open 05:00 – 17:30 daily). Search for ‘Angkor Wat Pass Ticket Counters’ on Google Maps.
We have purchased the 7-day pass a few times and no passport was needed, they just took our picture at the counter. You then receive a laminated ticket with your weirdly angled, low-res face on it to show to any ticket inspectors. Payment is by cash or card.
For the 1- or 3-day pass, it’s the same process but you don’t get a laminated version, just a paper one.
Tip | if you want to photograph sunrise at Angkor Wat, you should buy a ticket the day before. Otherwise, you risk queuing at 5am to purchase a ticket and missing it. It’s best to save the hassle and get some extra sleep!
Ticket Types and Costs
Tickets for Angkor Wat are available as 1-day, 3-day and 7-day passes. In 2025, these cost $37, $62 and $72 respectively.
Tip | If you purchase your Angkor Wat ticket after 4:45pm, it is valid for the entirety of the next day – meaning you get an extra evening in the temples for free! However, you cannot buy these online.
HOW LONG TO SPEND AT ANGKOR WAT AS A PHOTOGRAPHER?
It doesn’t matter if you have chosen a 1-, 3- or 7-day Angkor Wat pass, there’s always more to be explored as a photographer!
We would recommend spending as long as possible (but a minimum of three days or so will give you some flexibility around weather, times of day and feeling exhausted).
It’s also worth considering how you’re going to be getting around – will you have your own transport, a driver or even a bicycle? They all affect how long your trip might take:
Drivers | often inflexible and don’t take you to your chosen places at the times you need. However, they are the easiest option.
Self-drive | this is our preferred option, either by self-drive tuktuk or motorbike. Having full flexibility and control over your itinerary means not necessarily needing as long to get your perfect photos!
Bicycle | affordable, environmentally friendly and independent. However, it’s hot and sometimes wet in Cambodia and this would not be my preferred option (although lots of others love it – Cambodia is mostly flat, after all!). It obviously takes longer to get around, though, so you’d need more time.
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Quick Angkor Wat Photography Tips
Temperatures | the mornings can be cold in Angkor Wat, especially during the winter months. You’ll often see people driving motorbikes with big coats on (sometimes worn backwards) for a reason! As a photographer, you’ll likely be aiming for at least one or two *very* early mornings – so wear layers and don’t neglect some warmer clothing. By the afternoon, it gets hot or super-hot, depending on the month.
Early to rise | arrive before sunrise to get the best light and avoid crowds (apart from the one, popular, excessively crowded spot! See below).
Time of year | our visits have always coincided with the winter months. However, there are benefits to visiting at other times of year, too. For example, I’ve never seen Angkor Wat after the rain, but I’d love that – the glistening facades and reflections would be amazing. However, the potential lack of sunlight and humid weather are a different issue. We’ve detailed the different seasons further down.
Patience is a virtue | Angkor Wat is a busy place; sometimes the best shots require some waiting for the right moment. Having said that, I’m literally patience-less, and never do this. I purely rely on luck.
Consider the light | both sunrise and sunset offer the most dramatic light for photography at Angkor Wat, while midday sun can be awfully flat for wide, outdoor shots. Conversely, the shade and shadows from midday light can be to your advantage inside the temples. If you’re really dedicated, it’s usually best to revisit temples multiple times to experiment with the lighting.
Tripod | tripods are allowed in Angkor Wat for personal use (commercial photographers and videographers will need a permit, though). If you do use a tripod, be mindful of other people as it can get kind of crowded. If you’re trying to get those super sharp images, especially in low light or when shooting long exposures, a tripod is key (although we never used one for any of our shots on this post – it’s possible to do it all handheld).
Camera lens | wide-angle lenses are great for capturing vast landscapes containing the temple complex. Conversely, a telephoto/longer lens is really underrated and superb for isolating details and capturing the intricate carvings. We travel with both types of lenses for these reasons. However, most photos on this page were actually taken with a 70-300mm on a crop-sensor Fujifilm XT5.
Be respectful | make sure to dress respectfully, be mindful of other tourists and locals. Never clamber on, or otherwise disturb, the ancient structures. Don’t take photos of kids or monks without explicit permission, either – they’re not there for tourists’ entertainment. Lastly, please don’t feed the monkeys – it’s terrible for them (and us).
Batteries and memory cards | as a photographer it’s a rookie error, but don’t get caught out without memory space or power. We also carry a power bank that can charge both our cameras when we stop for lunch.
RENTING A TUKTUK IN SIEM REAP
We rented our very own tuktuk in Siem Reap for our journeys in Cambodia.
This provides flexibility to explore Siem Reap and the epic Angkor Wat ruins independently and at your own pace, which we would absolutely recommend. It’s a fantastic option, especially if you don’t have a motorbike license.
For more information on tuktuk rental in Cambodia, check out our comprehensive guide.
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More Detailed Photography Tips
1. Angkor Wat Sunrise Photography
Straight up, the famous Angkor Wat sunrise spot is seriously overrated, so set your expectations accordingly.
There are so many alternative, picturesque places to catch the early morning sun, and the west-facing entrance to Angkor Wat temples is just not it. The light doesn’t even hit right and it’s super crowded. Its magnificence is exaggerated, I promise.
For more information, check out our favourite Angkor Wat photography locations.
2. The Equinox
Contrary to the above point, there *are* two times every year when people rave about photography at the traditional Angkor Wat sunrise spot. This is when the sun rises exactly at the centre of the middle point of the temple. It’s pretty popular, so go early if you want a good spot.
◊ The spring equinox is expected to be between the 20th-21st March.
◊ The autumn equinox is expected to be between 22nd-23rd September.
3. Consider Your Transport
As mentioned previously, having your own, independent transport is probably the most important photography tip I could give. It allows you to work on your own timescales, avoid the crowds and choose the perfect spots at their ideal times. Hired drivers can be inflexible and will not be available both early morning and evening each day.
We recommend renting your own tuktuk – all you need is a driver’s license. It’s convenient and hilarious.
4. Watch for Bright Skies
A big challenge when photographing Angkor Wat is the contrast between dark and light. Try your best to position the sun behind you (so look at where the sun will be for each temple visit). This makes an enormous difference to the photographic outcome.
Many pictures can be rescued in editing though if the sky is too bright, but not clipped – check out our (moderate-to-advanced) photo editing tips for how to deal with skies.
5. Water Reflections
In the mornings, the water tanks around Angkor Wat can be wonderfully misty, atmospheric and especially still. By mid-morning on every single day of our trip, we noticed the waters ripple with the wind blowing. If you’re after glassy reflection shots, go early.
6. Air Conditioning
If you’ve been a photographer in hot or humid countries before, you’ll already know this, but be aware of the effect air-conditioning will have on your camera when you go from cold to hot.
Cambodia can be extremely hot and humid which will mist up a frozen camera. Keep your camera wrapped up and away from drafts while indoors, and even store it in a bag of rice if you’re worried about damp!
7. Lotus Flowers
I love lotus flowers. They’re synonymous with Angkor Wat, but if you want to see carpets of them, rather than just a few here and there, visit between April and October when they’re more common. Having said that, I’ve always managed to photograph them, even in the cooler dry season.
8. More than just Ruins
A visit to Angkor Wat is not just about exploring the ruins. Whether you want to see some rural life (there is farming, small settlements and even schools intermingled within the ruins), or wildlife (think monkeys galore), this place offers more than ancient religious rocks.
9. Beyond Angkor Wat
For photographers, Siem Reap offers loads of options beyond the famous Angkor Wat temples.
For example, the Cambodian Circus is a highly entertaining evening, plus photography (without flash) is entirely allowed. The wonderful landmine-detecting rats of APOPO is another fascinating stop where you can take photos of the little critters. Tonle Sap Lake has photographer opportunities everywhere, plus the city itself is really quite photogenic too.
We also found Battambang to be particularly photogenic.
10. Tomb Raider, etc.
There are certain *very famous* places within the Angkor Wat temple complex – think Angelina Jolie running about dual-wielding her pistols. This invariably draws large crowds.
If you’ve got your heart set on getting a particular, popular shot, be prepared to queue (potentially). Research the best time of day and figure out when your optimal chances are. Or better yet, be a creative photographer, and adapt to take an alternative version – this is what we do (even though I’m thoroughly British, I really hate queues).
11. Editing
I’ve said it a million times, but editing is important and it’s particularly helpful for photography issues at Angkor Wat! If the lighting isn’t quite right, it’s not always your fault. If somebody just waved their arm into your perfect shot, it’s not your fault. If you left your camera on the wrong settings, it may be a little your fault!
However, many of these minor issues can be fixed with just a tweak in Lightroom or your chosen editing software. We’ve used Lightroom and Photoshop for all the photos on this page – check out our travel photography editing tips for how we do what we do.
If you’re new to editing, check out our some of our typical editing mistakes to get started.
12. RAW
Still on the topic of editing – ensure to take your photos in RAW format. Angkor Wat can be extremely tricky to get the light right (there will be shadows and overblown skies by the bucketload if it’s sunny). This is a moderately easy issue to fix with some light tweaks on a RAW file.
For more information on travel photography and why we love RAW files, have a peek at our travel photography tips.
13. Layering, Composition and Framing
Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples provide the most epic opportunities to get some seriously narrow depth of field, background bokeh gloriousness.
There are trees, carvings, towers, and sunlit doorways galore to experiment with that result in some uniquely framed shots. It’s probably one of the most thought-provoking, but relatively simple (rocks don’t move!), places to experiment.
On that note, take a look behind and above while you’re walking. The temples look totally different from alternative angles.
14. Sunset in Angkor Wat
Phnom Bakheng is the most popular spot for sunset, but as with the popular sunrise location, I think it’s a bit overrated (plus has a long-ish walk up).
There are decent views of the main Angkor Wat temple from atop, but you don’t need to see that view at sunset. On our first visit, you had to obtain a free pass to access the summit, too, and it was absolutely packed (even though the pass was for crowd control!). I’m not sure if they still do this in 2025, but it was hassle.
The sunset views are kind of sad and really don’t justify the hassle and crowds. There are better sunsets from the top of most hotels!
15. Histogram
It’s worth understanding the histogram on your camera for photography at Angkor Wat. The extremes of shadows and light can lead to clipping (where your photos lose data in the extremes). Personally, I slightly underexpose any photos where I’m worried about this – it’s easier to rescue the shadows than the skies in post-processing.
Again, for more information, take a look at our travel photography tips.
16. Portraits
Now, I’m not a portrait photographer. I’m way too impatient to be taking loads of cute shots of us (also Nick is the worst model – it’s harder persuading him to stand still than getting an excitable puppy to pose).
However, if you’re looking for some nice locations, I’m a big fan of the main Angkor Wat temple, along its eastern half. This is because the crowds are often thinner there and it has some lovely windows, steps and raised areas to choose, where you’ll have time to compose the best photos.
Also, the outside edges of Ta Prohm, in particular, are beautiful and the main crowds don’t tend to congregate there much. It’s so pretty, we even saw a wedding photo session there.
However, in my opinion, taking your own transport to one of the quieter sites, like Thommanon, will give you the same beautiful architecture and jungle setting for your photography, with none of the people.
For some of our favourite locations, have a peek at our top Angkor Wat photography spots.
WHERE TO STAY IN SIEM REAP
We’ve stayed multiple times in Siem Reap, each time trying out a few different hotels.
Our favourites have been:
Hari Residences and Spa ($$) | this hotel is simply outstanding value for money. It’s located in central Siem Reap by the river and old town, so everything is walkable. The staff take customer service *way* above and beyond, and the super clean and comfortable rooms are enormous, with large balconies furnished with swinging chairs. It’s such an arty, thoughtfully designed hotel, even down to the welcome drinks and cake (it was actually decent cake!).
The hotel has one of the best rooftop pool views in the city too! Oh, honourable mention for their outstanding always-included breakfast, which was fresh, vegetarian friendly and massively varied.
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Viroth’s Hotel ($$$+) | this hotel was an immaculate dream that I never wanted to wake from (sounds dramatic, but it’s true). It’s bit pricier than our usual choices, but also worth absolutely every penny (it had a exceptional reputation and I wanted to test it out). With a location near the river, it’s perfect for exploring Siem Reap on foot, although we didn’t really want to leave after arriving.
The staff are second to none (I actually mean that, probably the best customer service we’ve received anywhere), the aesthetic design is top notch and the hotel is pristinely maintained. I’m a plant person, so this hotel was magical for me. The rooms are modern, with extremely comfortable beds, and are way brighter than any others we’ve had in Cambodia. Everything about this hotel was just so thoughtful. Also, the exceptional pool and restaurant are worth staying for, alone.
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OUR CAMERA GEAR
We do exclusively travel and street photography (often these merge into the same thing!), so choose lightweight, flexible, high-quality equipment from Fujifilm.
The pictures are crisp, the lenses are small and perfect for travel, having survived some seriously questionable weather conditions. Our cameras are favourites with old-school photographers – the ergonomics are perfect.
We use two Fujifilm XT5 camera bodies combined with:
Fujinon XF 70-300mm f4-5.6 R LM OIS WR lens
Fujinon XF 16-55mm f2.8 R LM WR lens
Fujinon XF 18mm f1.4 R LM WR lens
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Best Season for Photographers at Angkor Wat
Each season brings different advantages and disadvantages for photographers in Angkor Wat. Below are the main ones.
Winter Season
The months of November through February are the drier, cooler winter months in Cambodia. These have not only more comfortable conditions as a photographer but also the added benefit of increased chances for a clear sunrise. Another bonus of winter photography in Angkor Wat is that sunrise is around half an hour later than summer!
Unsurprisingly, there are masses of visitors during this period, so empty photos and quiet moments will be far more challenging to come by, and prices are generally higher.
Also, towards the end of the season, the air quality can be absolutely abysmal. This means less clear skies and anyone with asthma or breathing difficulties may struggle. Check the air quality index (AQI) for more information.
Hot Season
From March to May is the hot and dry season. Temperatures average in the upper 30s during the day and have been known to go uncomfortably above 40. Holding a camera in these conditions is sweaty and more difficult to operate (for me, anyway).
A benefit of this season is the crowd reduction from those peak season numbers, and prices start to drop.
Although it is great that there is little rain, this season has, by far, the worst AQI. The skies can be filled with smoke which can make you feel ill. However, this horrible air can, on occasion, result in dramatic lighting for early and late day photography.
Monsoon Season
Between May to October is the monsoon season across Cambodia. Rain can usually be expected four or five times a week (at least, and it can be very heavy!). The sun, when it does appear, comes up much earlier. This means not only less time in bed, but also a smaller chance of a good sunrise. It’s a tricky season for photographers!
The light can be hideously flat when the skies are cloudy all day, so you’ll have to be way more imaginative with your framing and composition.
A positive of the rain is that the surrounding countryside becomes fuller and more verdant. Also, if you’re lucky, the clouds can provide some serious dramatic effect for your photos. Logically, there are fewer people around and prices are low. I’ve always wanted to photograph Angkor Wat after the rain – there’s so much potential for some unique, distinctive compositions.
For this season, maybe consider adding a few days to your schedule so you can be more flexible around the weather.
THINGS TO PACK AS A PHOTOGRAPHER
Hat | it’s a smart idea for either the sun or rain. We often wear buffs with our hats to cover up from the sun as much as possible (and to keep the sweat at bay).
Clothing | I mean, obviously you’ll bring clothing, but be smart with those choices. It’s hot and humid, but you also have to cover up at the sacred religious temples. So, this means flowy longer-sleeved clothes if you’re a normal person. If you’re an excessively sweaty person like me, I’d recommend sweat-wicking leggings and sports tops with a loose, merino wool outer layer.
Lens cloth | for clearing fogging or dust from the lens.
Waterproof clothing/bag | if it rains.
Backpack style bag | when it’s hot, you’ll be carrying water, snacks, clothing layers, camera gear. It’s a lot and you’ll be climbing up uneven steps and avoiding surreptitious tree roots.
Memory cards and spare batteries | don’t get caught running out of juice or space. Maybe consider taking a power bank.
Filters | polarising filters and neutral density filters are great if you want to play around with reflections on the tanks or block out some of that crazy bright sunlight (we didn’t use filters for the pictures on this post though, even though we carry them around everywhere).
Sunblock | bring all the sunblock you can carry for a long day!
Umbrella | this is useful for keeping the sun off you, the rain off you, the rain off your camera and the sun out of your camera lens.
Bug spray | especially in the rainy season.
Cash | if you want to eat or drink anything, vendors won’t take your credit card.
Ticket | you can’t get in without it.
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WANT TO TAKE A BETTER PHOTO?
There are three parts to travel photography –
◊ Planning your trip
◊ Taking the photo
◊ Editing the end result
To get the highest quality, most sophisticated photos from your travels, you’ll need to perfect all three (plus a tiny bit of luck).
So, we’ve written a lot of country-specific guides about planning trips to various destinations, and also collated our absolute top tips for taking photos on location. We’ve also written a dedicated post on how to take the best black and white travel photography. Check them out if you’re interested!
We also write about typical editing mistakes to avoid. To complement that, we’ve collated a more intermediate user’s guide to editing travel photography. This covers more elegant, advanced and refined skills, ones that will promote your photos to the centerpiece of anybody’s wall.
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Final Thoughts – Photography Tips
Angkor Wat is, arguably, the most beautiful human-constructed site in the world. It has a vast majesty that didn’t disappoint me, not for even a second.
It’s also somewhere that’s perfect for roaming. Wandering, drifting and floating almost aimlessly through the unfathomably intricate ruins has been one of the real pleasures of my photography journey.
Angkor Wat is magically photogenic – this might sound a little over the top, but for a travel photographer, it’s almost hedonistic.
I really hope that something we’ve written here helps prepare you to take the best photos you can, and that your trip is as incredible as ours have been.
Thanks for reading!
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Thank you, Claire + Nick
