Chiang Mai Elephant photos -The best elephant experience in Chiang Mai

You And Your Portraits With Elephants

Photos You’ll Treasure For A Lifetime

Many people that see my Chiang Mai elephant portraits wonder if they can also experience this. The answer is yes, no problem. Some are concerned about safety and care for the elephants. Please don’t worry if you have no experience with elephants. I will take the time to introduce you and to explain the “dos” and “donts” of working with these amazing creatures. But, here is my best tip, right now; just fill your heart with love for them and relax. Elephants have a powerful sixth sense and will feel your emotion!

I absolutely love the elephants that I work with and know them personally. Their care and happiness is critically important to me. Whatever is going on, the elephants come first. However our elephant models seem to actually love being photo stars. Come and see for yourself. This is truly an amazing experience even if we were not taking any photos.

Next point is, I am a people person, so, don’t worry, I won’t bite! I will be very gentle with you and help you get the amazing photos that you are dreaming of.

I promise you that every one of my Chiang Mai elephant shoots will produce fabulous photos that you will cherish forever.

We donate to Daughter’s Rising

“We are not only lovers of elephants but also love our local friends.

We stand fierce with our beautiful friends from Daughters Rising. They empower at-risk girls to end trafficking in their communities & break the cycle of inter-generational poverty. Chai Lai Orchid exists to provide training and employment for these girls and funding for Daughter’s Rising Foundation. With each photoshoot booked we will donate 500tbh for their support!”

The Elephant Photographer of Chiang Mai

Locally, I am known as The Elephant Photographer. This makes me smile as 7 years ago when I made Chiang Mai my home, I had never considered taking photos of people with elephants. I am happy to be known as that. However if you look at my site you will see that I do take many other types of photos too! Weddings, pre-weddings and other photo tours are all available.

Chai Lai Orchid Feels Like Home

My association with Chai Lai Orchid started around 4 years ago when I was invited to shoot a wedding for them. I couldn’t believe the beauty of the river and the lush forest in that location, not to mention how lovely it was to work so closely with elephants. Since then and 500 + photo shoots later, I feel that the Chai Lai team and the elephants are part of my family and Chai Lai Orchid feels like my second home.

Photos Born of Love

Every shoot I do is more than just work. I deeply love the elephants, the mahouts (handlers) are my friends and every photo shoot produces fantastic images. This is because I am now so familiar with the elephants behavior, personalities and mannerisms. I also know the terrain and river and therefore know just where to take you. I know how to position the elephant and myself to get the very best angles and light for your portraits with these magnificent creatures.

Know Your Elephant!

When I realized that elephant photo shoots were going to become a big part of what I do I decided to learn as much as I could about elephant welfare. I did some voluntary work with a foundation and deepened my knowledge wherever I could.

I wouldn’t call myself an expert but all of that learning has really helped me understand the very complex issues around the question of elephant tourism and elephant welfare.

And talking of knowing your elephant, I can’t finish without mentioning Seavoy, my very special elephant model. We have worked together so often that I feel a deep bond with her and, by coincidence, we happen to be the same age :)

Other Chiang Mai Elephant Photo Shoot Locations

I can take photographs for customers at other elephant locations, most notably, Patara Elephant Farm.

The Patara location in the mountains of the Samoeng area is beautiful. Most important, Patara are doing great things for Chiang Mai elephant welfare. Their breeding program is very successful.

If you would like me to take your portraits at Patara I’d love to do that for you.

*Please note – At Patara you will be part of a group so it is not possible to privately hire the elephant. I will get great photos for you but there will be other people somewhere in the frame. However the pond where the elephants bathe at the end of your experience is very lovely. We get some amazing and beautiful images there. Patara also have a lot of baby elephants so, there are plenty of “cute” opportunities.

Please note that Patara do have their own photographer but they will be taking photos of the entire group. For more personal photos it is better having me as your private photographer to document your experience.

Chai Lai Orchid Chiang Mai Elephant Photo Shoot Packages

Staying At Chai Lai – Click Here

Not Staying At Chai Lai – Click Here

Already Going To Be At Chai Lai?

Expect beautiful photos all in the style that you see on my Instagram. Any additional elephant costs over what is included (extra food if needed) will be charged to your Chai Lai tab.

All prices cover a single person, 2 friends, a couple or a family unit of up to 4 people. In the case where you wish to share the shoot but want your own individual photos there is an additional charge of 2,500 per additional person after the first 2 people.

SILVER

THB 3,800

50++ photos

30 minutes

Ideal for Chai Lai guests for Morning Call at the room with the elephant and, perhaps a few shots outside of the room too.

GOLD

THB 8,800

100++ photos

Up to 1 hour

Ideal for when you want more than just the Morning Call with the elephant at the room.
You may opt for Morning Call (if you are a day guest, I substitute the grass hut for the elephant at the room)
AND photos at the Mountain resort location
OR Morning Call and photos in the river at the Riverside location.
Alternatively, this could be used for photos at the elephant waterfall bathing area. This includes the very popular swing photos, waterfall background photos, rock ledge photos, as well as all the great ‘in the water with the elephant photos’. Just as you can see here or on my Instagram.

DIAMOND – Best seller

THB 9,800

200++ photos

Up to 1.5 hours

This is a favourite package for those who want to maximise the different style of elephant photographs.
It includes Morning Call at the room with the elephant (if you are a day guest, I substitute the grass hut for the elephant at the room).
Photos with the elephant around the Mountain resort, including the grass hut.
Mountain back drop.
Jungle background and tea set.
Photos at the elephant waterfall bathing area. These include the very popular swing photos, waterfall background photos, rock ledge photos, as well as all the great ‘in the water with the elephant photos’. Just as you can see here or on my Instagram.

DIAMOND & PEARLS

THB 15,000

250++ photos

Up to 3 hours

Everything included in the Diamond package.
Plus, after we finish with the elephant, I take you to the very beautiful Mae Sapok Waterfall. Here we will shoot beautiful photos in nature, this time without the elephant. It is an amazing and beautiful location.
* Note : You can add to this tour with a visit to the Long Neck Village. Additional fee is 3000 THB. There is also a 600 THB entrance fee (Can be charged to your Chai Lai tab). Expect an additional 45 minutes for the visit.

PLATINUM

THB 21,000

300++ photos

Full Day

Everything included in Diamond & Pearls
Also including a photoshoot at the absolutely beautiful temple, Wat Khun Win. It is located on an adjacent mountain top, surrounded by deep forest and the temple is carved entirely from wood. It is stunning.
* Note : You can add to this tour with a visit to the Long Neck Village. Additional fee is 3000 THB. There is also a 600 THB entrance fee (Can be charged to your Chai Lai tab). Expect an additional 45 minutes for the visit.

Photo Gallery

Staying In The City But Want Cool Chiang Mai Elephant Portraits?

Walking With Giants

THB 12,500 per couple

100++ photos

Half Day

This is a private tour for up to 2 people. A unique experience where you will not only get amazing and beautiful photos with an elephant. You will also know that your money will be helping the elephants, local villagers and ethnic minority girls from Myanmar.

Pickup 8am or 1pm
Photos with the elephant at 2 beautiful mountain locations
Photos at the natural mountain pool with the elephant
More one-on-one time with an elephant than any other experience
Drop back to Chiang Mai at 1pm or 6pm

Please complete this form to request more information about arranging your elephants photo shoot

IMPORTANT NOTE

Please be aware that unless you specifically inform me otherwise I may use some of the photos to demonstrate my work on this website and in other marketing channels on the web.