A. Hooper Photography

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31/03/2022

:KAYAN TRIBE WOMAN, INLE LAKE, SHAN STATE, MYANMAR:
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The Kayan are a subgroup of the proud Karen people of South East Asia. The rich history of the Karen and Kayan people is a fascinating and important one in Asia. The Karen coming to inhabit areas of Burma over 2,000 years ago.
Women of the Kayan tribes identify themselves by their unique colorful forms of dress and are predomintaly known for wearing neck rings, brass coils that are placed around the neck, appearing to lengthen it. In actuality, the heavy rings are not stretching the neck as it seems, but rather pushing down on the collar bone and compressing the ribcage.
From the young age of around 5 years old, the coils are begun to be worn by the Kayan girls, slowly over the years, coils are added eventually reaching the point of the woman I met this afternoon.
The coils are never removed and after years the coils feel like and integral part of their body. The neck muscles weaken and to remove them would painful and it would be difficult for the woman to hold their heads upright without the support. They are a symbol of beauty for the Kayan.
I exchanged smiles with this Kayan woman as I explored the Inle Lake area one afternoon and sat with her as she weaved this beautiful silk fabric on her traditional loom.
My thoughts are with many of my Burmese friends struggling with the oppression of the current military rule and hope that the international powers that be do not forget those standing in opposition at the risk of their lives and freedoms.

Kayan Woman.
Inle Lake, Shan State, Myanmar
April, 2017
Sony a7rii

25/02/2022

:KYAUK TAUNG VILLAGE, SHAN STATE, INLE LAKE REGION, MYANMAR:
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This is Kyauk Taung Village, a tiny little community far removed from the modern world. It takes an entire day by long tail boat to reach, slowly chugging up small waterways that snake off of the massive Inle Lake. The villagers had been made aware of my arrival to the village as word spreads quite fast through a town this small. Kyauk Taung is well known for it's pottery which is sought after throughout Asia. The clay in the ground near this village is very special and they have been using underground kilns to perfect their craft for centuries. The village however, rarely sees foreign visitors, and I was quite the attraction that afternoon. Not only was I made guest of honor at the Village Headman's grand daughter's wedding, but I was met with incredible hospitality from each and every home and family in town. These beaming smiles were the norm and these two ladies gave me a plate of dessert common throughout SE Asia, a incredibly simple dish of sliced white bread and sweetened condensed milk. I have never really been able to wrap my head around the attraction to this super sweet combination, but it was the gesture that counts 🙂

Desert Cart Women.
Kyauk Taung Village, Inle Lake, Myanmar
April, 2017
Sony a7rii

23/02/2022

:EMPTY QUARTER, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:
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With midday heat rising to over 135ºF / 57ºC, walking out into the dunes in the Empty Quarter is a serious undertaking. This shot was taken early one morning as some brave soul was out hiking in the beauty of the dunes, pre oven-like temperatures. This same afternoon, I packed my photography gear and climbed these same giant mountains of sand only to have the entire sole of my shoe melt through. The otherworldly beauty juxtaposed with the very real dangers and inhospitable conditions make this one of the most special environments I've visited.

Solo Woman in the Dunes.
Empty Quarter, UAE.
June, 2019
Sony a7riii

18/02/2022

:BREAKFAST IN BAGAN:
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Gathering around a giant Tamarind tree in the village of Old Bagan, locals choose their favorite breakfast spots. Monks, villagers, old and young, chickens, dogs, horses you will see them all when sitting to breakfast. Here a young family lined up waiting for a seat for the best Mohinga in the village I was told. Mohinga is a traditional Burmese breakfast of rice noodles, fresh catfish, fresh herbs and broth. I opted for a much simpler egg omelette and tea. As was common in Myanamar, I was welcomed and asked to stay and have a seat. I ate and observed the small outdoor kitchen of this favorite little stall as the locals gathered and smiled at the strange foreigner with the camera. I came to this great spot each and every morning in Bagan and am now dreaming of the fantastic cup of tea that started my days in this incredible city.

Old Bagan Breakfast Spot.
Mandalay State, Myanmar.
April, 2017
Sony a7rii

12/02/2022

:IRRAWADDY RIVER PEANUT FARMERS, BAGAN, MYANMAR:
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I made my way down a small dirt trail through overgrown grasses that towered overhead attempting to get to the banks of the massive Irrawaddy River. When I came to a clearing, I met this typically kind and welcoming Burmese couple. They were harvesting wild peanuts along the river and were so happy to have their photo taken. This was a candid shot I liked before they turned and asked for some smiling portraits. As was the case with nearly all the Burmese locals, I was so impressed with their complete openess to the strange foreigner with a camera. It truly is such a special part of the world.
I was lucky enough to get a big fist full of peanuts as well! :)

Irrawaddy Peanut Farmers
Bagan, Mandalay State, Myanmar.
April, 2017
Sony a7riii

11/02/2022

:VILLAGE GIRL, OLD BAGAN, MYANMAR:
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Completely lost on the outskirts of the temples of Bagan, down what seemed like endless dusty backroads, I eventually came upon this little gathering of wooden houses. Parking my motorbike roadside, I began to assess my way back to town. This incredibly kind girl seeing I was very obviously lost, invited me in for a glass of tea and with my embarrassingly fumbling Burmese vocabulary, I did my best to make conversation. It was mostly just smiles back and forth to be honest. She showed me these beautiful bamboo bowls that she was weaving and I bought two that I still have today sitting on my bookshelves. They serve as a reminder of the afternoon I met this smiling, beautiful girl in the middle of nowhere Bagan and sat with my camera and a glass of tea. I cannot remember in the slightest how I made it home, but I'll always remember this smile 🙂

Burmese Village Girl.
Bagan, Mandalay State, Myanmar.
April 2017
Sony a7riii

05/02/2022

:JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK:
A. Hooper Photography

The Mojave desert is a fascinating landscape. Hiking through Joshua Tree National Park affords some incredible views like this one in the heat of last summer. Always looking forward to another trip to the desert with the camera.

Joshua Tree Sunset
July, 2021
Sony a7riii

02/02/2022

:INLE LAKE, MARKET. MYANMAR:
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A visit to the local market in Inle Lake with my camera was a fantastic morning. There's nowhere better to see local customs and culture in Asia than the bustling markets. They are the gathering points for entire regions and this one in Inle was special. I did my best to blend in and observe with my camera and came away with some great candid shots like this one. Hoping that the beautiful and resilient people of Myanmar are soon past the dark days that hang over the country presently.
Local Market.

Inle Lake, Shan State, Myanmar.
April, 2017
Sony a7riii