EYE CANDY
The country of Bhutan is beautiful. Nestled in the craggy contours of the Himalayas (and other mountain ranges, too), this part of the world is worth the extra effort to get to for the view alone. But what makes this mountainous nation most special is its people. The Bhutanese believe happiness is achieved through being content in one’s surroundings, without the need for material possessions. Being in such a positive and kind environment was inspiring.
The country of Bhutan is beautiful. Nestled in the craggy contours of the Himalayas (and other mountain ranges, too), this part of the world is worth the extra effort to get to for the view alone. But what makes this mountainous nation most special is its people. The Bhutanese believe happiness is achieved through being content in one’s surroundings, without the need for material possessions. Being in such a positive and kind environment was inspiring.
In the end, this countrywide notion to appreciate everyday life found its way into my latest collection, Bhutan: Land of Happiness. It’s best illustrated in the image Enchantment (above). I love the peacefulness the photograph evokes as the monks turn their heads skyward to enjoy the white balloons hovering above. The true magic of the moment, however, was caught behind the scenes where something very unusual and incredible happened: the monks, who rarely do so, smiled. Even today, I catch myself smiling when I think about it.
DESIGN INSPIRATION
A lasting memory from the trip was when I gave balloons to the Bhutanese children who had been watching the photo shoot unfold. They had never seen helium balloons, and the looks on their faces were priceless. This shoot was difficult, but the lengths I went to in order to achieve this image series were completely rewarded in that one moment.
SUPREME CUISINE
Paday’s Bistro is a restaurant that stands out. Situated in a cute, contemporary, cottage-like home, the restaurant serves all sorts of tasty cheeses, alongside a tangy chili paste meant for dipping, which was something completely new to me. It was a very fun cultural experience.
If you can expect one thing in Bhutan, it’s that the food will be spicy.
LUXURY LODGING
During my stay in Bhutan, I was one of the first to see Le Méridien Paro, Riverfront, of which is Le Méridien’s second luxury property in the country. Although, at the time, the hotel was not open to the public, they let me have some fun with balloons.
MEMORABLE MOMENT
There have been so many highlights throughout my career, but one of the most recent—one I’m especially proud of—is my partnership with Veuve Clicquot. It began with a phone call to collaborate on a series of images for the annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in Los Angeles, and parlayed into something that was so much more. I ended up co-hosting an event at my studio, showcasing a special art installation at the actual match, and, best of all, developed a limited-edition set of prints called Gray Malin x Veuve Clicquot.
