Photographer Captures the Spirit of Bhutan in the Warm Faces of Its People

Faces of Bhutan by Andrew Studer

Photographer Andrew Studer is best known for his incredible landscape imagery, which he captures during his travels around the world. But a trip to the small Himalayan country of Bhutan changed that. Inspired by the warmth and pride of the Bhutanese people, Studer turned his focus to portraiture over the course of two, three-week trips taken in 2017 and 2018.

These trips have resulted in his Faces of Bhutan series, which demonstrates an incredible aptitude for capturing the spirit of the Bhutanese people. Bhutan is a landlocked country neighboring India which has always remained free from colonization. As such, there is enormous pride in its native culture by the people who live there. Studer witnessed this firsthand, particularly during his second visit when he had the opportunity to spend time with the Brokpa tribe in the village of Marek. This group of semi-nomadic yak herders live in relative isolation in the eastern part of the country. In fact, it took Studer six days of travel within Bhutan, round trip, to reach their village.

“The Brokpas live a fairly disconnected life and some even thought that I—an American—was from India because that’s as foreign as they could wrap their minds around,” Studer tells My Modern Met. “It was so surreal and inspiring to be living with and photographing the Brokpa’s unique way of life. Many of the men wear these incredible yak hide jackets and carry machetes on their belts.”

Throughout his travels, which he undertook with the help of MyBhutan, Studer was able to photograph Bhutanese men, women, and children without reducing them to exotic cliches. Shown as they are, smiling brightly, eyes filled with youth or faces marked with signs of age, each subject brings their spirit forward.

Photographer Andrew Studer spent a total of six weeks in Bhutan over the course of two years for his Faces of Bhutan series.

Bhutan Travel Photography by Andrew Studer

Children in Bhutan

Portrait Photography from Bhutan by Andrew Studer

Children in Bhutan

Portrait Photography from Bhutan by Andrew Studer

Faces of Bhutan by Andrew Studer

The warmth of the Bhutanese people inspired him to focus his efforts on portrait photography rather than his typical landscapes.

Children in Bhutan

Faces of Bhutan by Andrew Studer

Faces of Bhutan by Andrew Studer

Bhutan Travel Photography by Andrew Studer

Portrait of Bhutanese Man by Andrew Studer

“I hope that people viewing my images see how special Bhutan and its people are and become inspired to visit and see for themselves.”

Bhutan Travel Photography by Andrew Studer

Photos of Life in Bhutan by Andrew Studer

Photos of Life in Bhutan by Andrew Studer

Faces of Bhutan by Andrew Studer

Andrew Studer Travel Photography

Andrew Studer Travel Photography

Andrew Studer: Website | Instagram | Facebook

All photos © MyBhutan. My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Andrew Studer.

Related Articles:

Photographer’s Love of Nature Inspires Him to Capture All the Glorious Ends of the Earth

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Amazing Story of Bhutan: A Tiny Country That is Carbon Negative

Adorable Baby Prince of Bhutan Celebrates 1st Birthday With New Official Photo

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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