JAMES DE LA CLOCHE
My Story
A Journey I Never Expected
People often ask how I came to spend my days photographing elephants in the mountains of Northern Thailand.
The truth is, I never planned any of it.
Photography has always been part of my life, but my career began in a very different world. For many years I worked in interior design and later in real estate, helping people create homes and build new lives. Looking back, I realise I was always drawn to places, people, and the stories that connected them.
Everything changed when I travelled to Thailand.
A Different Perspective
Like many visitors, I arrived expecting beautiful scenery and a memorable holiday.
Instead, I found something much deeper.
Time spent in Northern Thailand introduced me to a slower rhythm of life, a different way of thinking, and a genuine sense of community. Places such as Wat Umong encouraged me to pause, reflect, and see the world through a different lens. Those experiences gradually changed not only how I photographed people, but how I wanted to live my own life.
Eventually I made the decision to leave my previous career behind and begin again in Chiang Mai.
Discovering Chai Lai Orchid
Not long after settling in Northern Thailand, I discovered Chai Lai Orchid.
What began as a photographic opportunity quickly became something far more meaningful.
Here I met the elephants, the local communities, and the remarkable people whose passion has created a place unlike anywhere else. Through Chai Lai Orchid and the work of Daughters Rising, I came to understand that photography could do more than capture beautiful images. It could help tell important stories, create lasting memories, and introduce others to a world that many visitors never have the chance to experience.
Over the years, these relationships have become an important part of my life.
More Than Photography
Today my work is about much more than taking photographs.
It’s about helping people slow down, connect with extraordinary places, and experience authentic moments that simply cannot be recreated.
Some visitors spend an hour with me.
Others stay for several days.
Whatever the journey, my goal is always the same: to create an experience that feels natural, personal, and unforgettable while capturing photographs that will be treasured for a lifetime.
Looking Ahead
Every person who joins me brings their own story.
Whether you’re visiting Northern Thailand for the first time or returning to a place you already love, my hope is that you’ll experience the same sense of connection that first drew me here all those years ago.
The photographs will always be special, but it’s often the people, the elephants and the atmosphere of Chai Lai Orchid that stay with you the longest.
I’d love to share it with you.
