In this edition of “Backstories,” we follow Edu Bastidas and David Garcia on a vivid journey through Cambodia, a long-dreamed-of destination that turned into a creative turning point. With cameras in hand and no set itinerary, they set out to document the experience with honesty and playfulness, capturing everything from golden light and spontaneous street scenes to quiet, joyful moments shared between them.
Words from Edu Bastidas + David Garcia:
I’ve always had a deep curiosity and hunger for new places. Traveling is what keeps that curiosity alive, pushing me to keep moving and exploring throughout my life. Cambodia had been on my wish list for years, but somehow the trip never seemed to happen. Maybe I was waiting for the perfect moment — but you know, life is wise, and sometimes it has a funny way of reminding us that the only real moment we have is now. So this time, it was a no-brainer — it was finally time to visit South Asia and, of course, this place I had dreamed about for so long.
Cambodia was even better than I had imagined. I mean, the light was beautiful, the colors were vibrant, the food was exquisite, and the people were incredibly kind. It was new, yet familiar — there was this beautiful mix of discovery and nostalgia.
When we planned the trip, we didn’t really have an itinerary. We had just two clear intentions: we wanted to make the most of the experience by being fully present, and we wanted to try to document it — even if just as a personal and silly exercise. This was especially important to me, since I’ve rarely felt comfortable in front of the camera. Most of my work has always focused on photographing models or other people, not myself.
We started bringing the cameras with us more often, and I could see a real happiness in those first photos. From that moment, our goal became simple: to play and capture a little bit of the joy and fulfillment we were experiencing. It really turned into a game — taking photos as we kept exploring, sometimes with the camera, sometimes with the phone, sometimes with the GoPro. Photos of David eating mango like crazy? Why not! Another one while drinking coconut water at every stop? Well… Yas! And what about a photo of me teasing my husband? That’s a must, obviously.
Experiencing Siem Reap and the other places we visited was a special gift on so many levels — personal, as I think I’ve made pretty clear by now, but also professional. This trip sparked a new hunger in me: I don’t just want to be a photographer in the way I once imagined — focused on fashion or portraits — but someone who can capture it all, from the most intimate moments to the grandest scenes. In the end, I think photography is also a way to leave a trace of your existence.
These aren’t perfect images, and I know I still have a long way to go. But I also know that in a few years, I won’t care as much about perfect composition, tone, or light… what I will care about is the priceless instant of life we got to share together and that I get to remember in these snapshots.
By the way, my deepest respect to all of you in this community who are true masters at capturing life.
About the Series
“Backstories” looks at the passion and process behind standout work in our collection. In each edition, Stocksy’s curators spotlight one artist and the ideas that shape their work.
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