Kimberly Reed Photography

Sharon and Jason- engagement session

February 20, 2009

Some of the things I love about Sharon and Jason:

• they have a great connection and chemistry together
• we have similar taste in music :)
• they are both talented musicians- Sharon sings and plays the guitar, and Jason plays the guitar, drums, keyboard...
• they recently moved back to Pittsburgh and purchased their first home together, which is really fabulous

So when we were discussing where to do their engagement session, Sharon suggested taking the photos at their new home, which I loved. Here are some of my faves from their session:

I think this one is my favorite from the day. I totally adore this shot:

my other favorite

These last two are also faves. (I know, I know...I just couldn't decide!)

Phnom Penh, Cambodia; day 11, Tuol Sleng

January 31, 2009

I began the day with a trip to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21). The museum was about a 15 minute walk from my hotel, so I kept my camera out and made some images along the way:

I cannot stress how common it is to see very small children riding on the front of motos like this. Sometimes they were wedged in between adults in the middle of the bike, but often they were up front like this little girl.

Street vendor selling corn on the cob. Many mobile food vendors use squeakers (that sound like dog toys or the old fashioned bicycle horns) to let people know they are coming (similar to an ice cream truck, but louder and more annoying). Between that, the honking horns of motos and cars, and general sounds of people living and hawking their wares, there is always a moderate to high level of ambient noise on the streets.

I'll be honest- I initially wasn't going to go to S-21. I thought my trip to the Killing Fields had given me a good general overview of the devastating effects of Pol Pot's regime. However, almost everyone I met that learned it was my first time in Cambodia asked me I had been to S-21 yet. I thought that might be an indication I was missing out on something I should experience.

They were right. I didn't like what I saw, but I'm glad I went.

The prison was captured in 1979 by the Vietnamese Army. While the troops were closing in on the city, 14 prisoners were being tortured to death inside S-21. These scenes were photographed as evidence against the Khmer Rouge, and those photographs now appear in the cells where the victims were found, along with many of the original instruments of torture.

Those dark spots on the floor are bloodstains.

Meticulous records were kept on everyone that came through S-21. Prisoners were photographed upon arrival and often after being tortured. While many of those records have been lost or destroyed, there is a good deal that has been preserved and is on display at the museum. One of the most emotional for me was wall after wall of portraits of people who were held here. Some estimates say around 30,000 prisoners passed through S-21 in the 4 years it was operational as a torture and detention center. Of those, only 7 are known to have lived.

This poem describes life under Pol Pot's new regime. (Poem by Sarith Pou in Corpse Watching)

The text reads:

No religious rituals.
No religious symbols.
No fortune teller.
No traditional healers.
No paying respect to elders.
No social status. No titles.

No education. No training.
No school. No learning.
No books. No library.
No science. No technology.
No pens. No paper.

No currency. No bartering.
No buying. No selling.
No begging. No giving.
No purses. No wallets.

No human rights. No liberty.
No courts. No judges.
No laws. No attorneys.

No communications.
No public transportations.
No private transportations.
No traveling. No mailing.
No inviting. No visiting.
No faxes. No telephones.

No social gatherings.
No chitchatting.
No jokes. No laughter.
No music. No dancing.

No romance. No flirting.
No fornication. No dating.
No wet dreaming.
No masturbating.
No naked sleepers.
No bathers.
No nakedness in showers.
No love songs. No love letters.
No affection.

No marrying. No divorcing.
No marital conflicts. No fighting.
No profanity. No cursing.

No shoes. No sandals.
No toothbrushes. No razors.
No combs. No mirrors.
No lotion. No make up.
No long hair. No braids.
No jewelry.
No soap. No detergent. No shampoo.
No knitting. No embroidering.
No colored clothes, except black.
No styles, except pajamas.
No wine. No palm sap hooch.
No lighters. No cigarettes.
No morning coffee. No afternoon tea.
No snacks. No desserts.
No breakfast [sometimes no dinner].

No mercy. No forgiveness.
No regret. No remorse.
No second chances. No excuses.
No complaints. No grievances.
No help. No favors.
No eyeglasses. No dental treatment.
No vaccines. No medicines.
No hospitals. No doctors.
No disabilities. No social diseases.
No tuberculosis. No leprosy.

No kites. No marbles. No rubber bands.
No cookies. No popsicle. No candy.
No playing. No toys.
No lullabies.
No rest. No vacations.
No holidays. No weekends.
No games. No sports.
No staying up late.
No newspapers.

No radio. No TV.
No drawing. No painting.
No pets. No pictures.
No electricity. No lamp oil.
No clocks. No watches.

No hope. No life.
A third of the people didn't survive.
The regime died.

The perfect Valentine's gift...

January 21, 2009

I'm going to interrupt my Cambodia posts for a quick announcement. Valentine's Day is just a few weeks away, so if any ladies out there want to do something really fabulous for their guys (or themselves!), reserve your *Femme Couture session by February 6. What better gift than presenting him with some jaw-dropping, sexy, glamourous photos of you?
(* These types of sessions often go by so many different names: boudior photography, pin up photography, glamour photography, fitness photography, romantic portraits, sexy portraits, lingerie photography, intimate photography...the list goes on and on. My take on it is making some sensual, beautiful, provocative images of woman, usually in lingerie, and sometimes tastefully and artistically done nudes.)

I have a few session dates still available that will get your images back before February 14. Also, I have gift certificates available, so if any guys want to drop a hint to their ladies, send me an email.

I recently updated the galleries on my Femme Couture website, so if you haven't visited recently, pop on over to see some newer work. I have to give this disclaimer: there is some (tasteful) nudity on there, so if you're offended by that kind of stuff, don't look. :)

Also, I'm posting a few of my favorite images from last year's sessions below, which show a little (PG-13) skin. So turn back now if you don't want to see it.

Last chance....

Phnom Penh, Cambodia- day 9 and 10

January 2, 2009

I flew back into Phnom Penh late Sunday night after spending the day at the temples. After breakfast on Monday I went to a spa down the street for another 1 hour foot massage, and, being adventurous, figured I'd give a Thai massage a go. I have to say it wasn't very enjoyable at all. About halfway through, my masseuse was standing on my bum, and then walked up my back. She wasn't a tiny girl, but before I could figure out how to say "Pardon me ma'am, but that really hurts...please stop" in Khmer, she stepped of and continued contorting me around for another half an hour or so. On the upside, the foot massage was good, and when it was all said and done, my total was $16 for two hours of massage. I could get used to that.

I spent most of the rest of Monday editing images, and met up with Tim, Fritz, Seth, Laine from SISHA, and Athena, Alison, and Liz from Transitions for dinner. Several hours and a few bottles of wine later, we called it a night. Good times.

Tuesday morning I was in the shower when a gecko ran out from behind the shower head and scared the crap out of me. Not that a gecko is all that scary on it's own, but it was rather startling darting around my shower, when I was sleepy and not expecting company. At least, I think it was a gecko. It could have been a guy in a green T-shirt.

Met up with Tim and he and I were off to the Ministry of Justice for Tim's scheduled interview with Ith Rady, Under Secretary of State for Ministry of Justice and Deputy Chair of the Cambodian COMMIT (Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative Against Trafficking in the Greater Mekong Sub-region) Taskforce. I assisted with audio during the interview and acted as a lightstand afterwards as Tim took a few portraits. Afterwards our translator explained that proper protocol would have dictated that someone from the National Task Force (who had set up the interview) should have accompanied us to make an official introduction, and the first order of business would have been an exchange of business cards. Also, the proper channel to request the interview should have been a formal letter, on letterhead, explaining the purpose of the interview and the intended output, as well as an outline of the questions to be asked. So we went in with a few strikes against us. Fortunately, our translator was pretty fantastic, and Tim can be charming when he needs to be, so all ended pretty well.

Below: Tim sets up his video camera and gets ready to put the mic on Ith Rady. From left to right, Ith Rady, Tim Matsui, the translator.

Following the interview we went over to Transitions so I could get a tour of the transitional living center. The image below, depicting receiving a beating from a pimp, was taken in the counseling room, where the girls receive intensive trauma therapy, including art therapy.

When I was leaving, one of the girls hugged me and slid a friendship bracelet she made for me on my wrist. (Ladies who grew up in the 80's: Do you remember making friendship bracelets?)

Then Tim and I were off to Sophea's house to interview her. That deserves it's own post, which will be forthcoming.

Siem Reap, Cambodia- day 8

December 30, 2008

I spent my second day in Siem Reap temple-ing; exploring the temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom, and Preah Khan. There are many, many more temples in the area (you can easily dedicate a week to exploring the temples around Siem Reap), but since I only had one day, I focused on visiting the larger and more popular ones. All in all, it was pretty spectacular- but don't take my word for it...you should go see for yourself. Here are some of the things I saw throughout the day:

This fine gentleman, upon learning I was travelling alone, offered to give me a private tour, including a stop back at his house. Which makes me wonder if word has gotten around that I wink at monks.

(I politely declined.)

Can I tell you how delighted I was to catch a photo of a monk smoking a cigarette? This made my entire day:

Siem Reap, Cambodia- day 7 continued

December 26, 2008

I met up with Seth (who had also come up to Siem Reap for the weekend) at Phnom Bakheng to watch the sunset. We originally planned on riding an elephant up the hill to the temples, but they had stopped selling tickets by the time we go there, so we hiked to the top instead. *These images are all brought to you by my point and shoot.

The steps leading up to this temple were ridiculously narrow and steep. Think of a cross between walking up steps, and climbing a ladder.

The sunset was breathtaking

Lest you think it was a serene, peaceful moment- this was the scene right behind me...thousands of people vying to get a good spot to watch the sun go down. Still, it was an unforgettable experience.

A self portrait before we made the trek back down.

It was a full, busy day, and this night was the first in many that I slept soundly. I think I was asleep by 9pm.

Siem Reap, Cambodia- day 7

December 26, 2008

Started the day with a 4:30 wake up call to make my early morning flight to Siem Reap. I had made arrangements from Phnom Penh for a driver for both days in Siem Reap, so after checking into my hotel, we headed out in a tuk tuk to the flooded forest and floating village of Kompong Phhluk on the Tonlé Sap Lake.

The Tonlé Sap (Cambodian meaning "Large Fresh Water River," but more commonly translated as "Great Lake") is a combined lake and river system of huge importance to Cambodia. It is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and is an ecological hot spot.

The Tonlé Sap is unusual for two reasons: 1) its flow changes direction twice a year, and 2) the portion that forms the lake expands and shrinks dramatically with the seasons. From November to May, Cambodia's dry season, the Tonlé Sap drains into the Mekong River at Phnom Penh. However, when the year's heavy rains begin in June, the Tonlé Sap backs up to form an enormous lake.

For most of the year the lake is fairly small, around one meter deep and with an area of 2,700 square km. During the monsoon season, however, the Tonlé Sap river which connects the lake with the Mekong river reverses its flow. Water is pushed up from the Mekong into the lake, increasing its area to 16,000 square km and its depth to up to nine meters, flooding nearby fields and forests. The people that live on the lake have to move their homes twice a year in response to the rising and falling of the water.

At least, we started out in a tuk tuk. It turns out the road to the village where you catch the boat to Kompong Phhluk isn't passable by tuk tuk, which is how I ended up on the back of a dirtbike (sans helmet, which I left in Phnom Penh). Alas, it turns out parts of the road were also not always passable by dirtbike, which is how I ended up on foot for part of the trip.

From there I hopped aboard a 'fast boat' for the noisy trip through some narrow waterways to the floating village.

It was amazing to see how many very small children were piloting their own boats.

The drive through window at a restaurant.

Docked the boat for a little while to explore some of the village. Here, kids are just getting ready to get out of school for the day.

(Kids in Cambodia don't wear diapers)

These kids are building a boat

On the way back, kids were on their way home from school. All children who go to school in Cambodia have to wear a uniform (the rationale being that no one can distinguish between the rich and the poor). Most children in rural villages ride several kilometers to school on a bike each way. It's not uncommon to see multiple kids sharing a bike.

However, when many families only earn $1 or $2 a day, the cost of uniforms and bicycles are prohibitive to sending their children to school. Often, children need to help the family earn money, which can also keep them from attending school.

What you can do to help:

• If you are visiting Siem Reap, consider staying at the Shinta Mani, or it's sister hotel, the Hotel de la Paix. Both hotels promote responsible tourism, and support the local community. The Shinta Mani runs the Institute of Hospitality, a program that gives local youth free training in the hospitality industry- a valuable skill to have in an area where tourism is the number one contributor to the local economy. Customised community-based activities such as rice sponsorship, educational support, water well donations, school uniforms and supplies and other one-off contributions and long-term sponsorships may also be facilitated.

• Support the Lake Clinic, a floating clinic that offers free dental and medical services, as well as health education, to families living on the Tonle Sap Lake. Many families use the same water outside of their doors as a toilet, to bathe in, and to wash their dishes and clothing. They simply don't know any better. If you have training as a doctor, nurse, dentist or dental assistant, consider spending time as a volunteer for the Lake Clinic. You can also support them financially by:
Check, payable to "TLC at Human Translation".
please mail to:
Human Translation, Inc
1241 Adams Street, Suite 1096
Saint Helena, CA 94574

Credit Card, via Facebook Causes

Phnom Penh, Cambodia- day 6

December 23, 2008

1 hour of sleep last night. My body hates me. Busy day today.

Started the day assisting Tim as he interviewed Secretary of State Chou Bun Eng with the Ministry of Interior. She is one of the key players in the anti trafficking task force. The National Task Force (NTF) against Human Trafficking, was formed last year and brings together 11 ministries and three government agencies with more than 200 international organizations, agencies, and local NGOs to take coordinated action against trafficking in Cambodia.

After the interview we headed over to Java for an afternoon of editing. Met Sophea, one of Somaly Mam's very close friends (they call each other 'sisters'). Chatted with her for a while, and Tim set up a time for early next week to interview her.

MTV has been doing a series of concerts - the EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) series- across Asia to raise awareness about human trafficking. Today the last concert of the MTV Exit series was held at Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh. In the lineup: The Click Five, Preap Sovath, Sokun Nisa, Yuk Thinratha, Meas Soksophea, Pou Khlaing, and Chorn Sovanrech. (Yeah, I hadn't heard of any of them either.) I was able to get some pretty sweet unrestricted access by piggy-backing on Tim's press pass (ahhh...the luxury of well-connected friends). Met some of the members of The Click Five backstage, who seem like a nice group of guys. They had spent the week leading up to the concert learning more about the issues of human trafficking and sex trafficking, and had some pretty profound experiences meeting some of the girls at Somaly Mam's foundation.

As a side note: I like doing concert photography. Creative lighting, great action, it's always a challenge. And I love being challenged. Seriously, I just love making images. I've kind of fallen in love with photography all over again on this trip. Here are some of my faves from the evening:

Some kids playing soccer outside of Olympic Stadium

Yes, this lady is doing food prep on the bathroom floor.

Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng gives a speech prior to the start of the concert. The lack of security was a little disconcerting. Some flowers that were delivered and set up where he was sitting were wanded by a security guy, but those were the only security measures I saw all evening. I was able to get quite close to him, carrying a crap-ton of camera gear, with no press pass, without passing through any kind of metal detectors or security.

This is right before I threw my bra onstage.

Overgeard girls in the crowd screaming "Oh my God...I love you guys...I want to have your baby!" in perfect english.

Afterwards we met up with Laine from SISHA and a few other folks at a club by the river. It was late- I was dirty, sweaty, smelly and gross, and had all of my gear with me. Bad combo. Ended up at Sharky's for dinner and a glass of wine. Went to bed at 2am, with a 4:30am wake-up call. Making a total of 3 1/2 hours of sleep over 72 hours.

I really need to get more sleep.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia- day 4 and 5

December 19, 2008

(all of the images in this post are brought to you by my point-and-shoot)

• I wink a lot. I'm a winker. I actually go through phases where I'll wink a lot, and then have a long dry spell with hardly any winking. Language barriers, I've learned, seem to put my winking into overdrive. I smile a lot, and wink. I accidently winked at a monk. In a conservative culture where women are never supposed to physically come into contact with a monk. I'm pretty sure that made him think I was a hussy, but he was too polite to say so.

• I got a 1 hour foot massage. For $8. Can't beat that.

• I finally got a helmet, which makes riding around the city on motos just a little bit safer. I know a lighter color would have been cooler, but I thought darker was more slimming. Yes?:

• Went back to the Russian Market so Tim could return a faulty dvd he bought there. Ate lunch at one of the food stalls. Both of our meals plus a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice came to $1.25.

• Went to Chow's for happy hour and some internet time. I went up to the rooftop deck to watch the sun set.

Self portrait. Can you tell I haven't slept in a long time?

• Dinner at Sharky's, amidst some working girls.

• Met up for breakfast the next morning with Fritz and Seth at Herb Cafe, two guys from Portland who are here working with Athena from Transitions. Seth wants to start a non-profit back in the States to assist with marketing, fund-raising, managing volunteers, and creating media for non profits such as Transitions, Daughters Cambodia, and SISHA.

• Went over to the SISHA offices to photograph their victim packs (packages the women and children get when they are rescued during raids), then headed over to meet Ruth at Daughters Cambodia to photograph some products for their new product catalog. Daughters provides employment and aftercare to victims of sex trafficking. The girls learn how to sew, make jewelry, cakes, and silkscreen products. They also have free access to workshops, counseling, and medical and dental care, and HIV screening. While I was there some volunteers were putting on a workshop teaching the girls the importance of hygiene- how to wash your hands and why it's important, how to clean the bathroom and kitchen, these things may seem very basic, but it is new information to many of the girls. Rebecca from White Aisle (who I talked about in an earlier post), provided sewing machines and patterns to get the girls started in making silk sashes, ring pillows, and flowers for the wedding industry, which she sells in her online store. By purchasing these or any of the other products that the girls at Daughters make, you are helping to provide a sustainable future for them, ensuring they are able to make a living outside of the sex industry.

• I hit myself in the head with my camera. Hard. Brought tears to my eyes and left a big bump. That was a first for me. Maybe I really should be wearing a helmet at all times.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia- street scenes

December 19, 2008

Just want to point out that the scaffolding here is made from pieces of bamboo tied together. Scary.

An electronics store

I think it's important to point out that in the above image, we are not actually stopped- we are weaving our way through the traffic.