Simon Toffanello
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
I am an English freelance photographer based in Phnom Penh in “The Kingdom of Wonder”.
On leaving high school in 80s Manchester I trained and worked at a corporate photography studio and vintage picture library as a black and white darkroom printer and assistant interiors photographer.
By the late 80s I left the company to study media at the London College of Printing. My portfolio led to winning a place at St. Martins College of Art and Design's Fine Art Film program.
At college and through the 90s I made several analogue S8 and 16mm experimental short film narratives with some success’ at film festivals in Europe and the UK. But felt unsuited to the film industry turning to stills photography once again..
During a South East Asian road trip in 1999 the simplicity of using an Olympus OM1 35mm film stills camera gave me freedom to roam around solo. Combined with the alluring aesthetics and atmosphere of Indochina the experience inspired me to relocate to Cambodia in the 00s.
Since I have worked on a broad range of assignments, shooting for local, regional and overseas clients, advertising agencies, NGOs and travel editorials.
- Advertising
- Architecture
- Arts
- Corporate
- Editorial
- Environment
- Events
- Interior
- Portrait