Meet Natcha Wongchanglaw

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natcha Wongchanglaw. 

Hi Natcha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Ever since I was a child, I have had a passion for photography. During my high school exchange program in the United States, I took a photography class where I learned to develop my own film in the darkroom. My skills were recognized when I won two prizes from The Big Picture Project in 2005, awarded by Hospice of Michigan and Newaygo County Council for the Arts. 

Because photography isn’t a prevalent career choice in Thailand, I pursued a different path. After earning a degree in computer science, I gained experience in sales before transitioning to a role as an executive recruitment consultant at a multicultural firm. 

In 2016, I made the bold decision to leave my reliable, well-paid job and pursue my dream of becoming a professional photographer. Although I wasn’t always certain that photography was the right path for me, I dedicated myself to it and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it 

A friend of mine once said, “If you do what you love, you won’t even think about the money,” and “Money becomes less important when you do what you love.” It took me a while to truly understand the wisdom behind these words 

One of the things I love most about photography is its ability to capture memories and preserve fleeting moments. Not only does it serve as a means of documentation, but it also allows for the creation of stunning works of art. 

It is worth and delightful when seeing how much people like my work. And it is always my honor to be invited to capture their life moments. 

I’ve been pouring my heart and soul into photography, exploring new techniques and perspectives through classes, workshops, and real-life situations. And then, an incredible opportunity knocked on my door: Carnival Cruise Line, the biggest cruise line in the world, was looking for a photographer. Of course, I jumped at the chance! Not only did I get to travel to amazing places and meet fascinating people, but I also got to hone my craft through Carnival’s photography courses. I learned everything from the basics to advanced wedding and studio photography, and I couldn’t believe how much I was growing as a photographer and a person. In a short period of time, I even got promoted to Wedding Photographer, which meant I got to capture the most beautiful moments of couples tying the knot on the high seas. And when the Dream Studio Photographer had to take some time off, I got to fill in and experiment with different creative concepts. My senior manager even hinted that I might become the Assistant Dream Studio Photographer soon if I decided to come back. However, as much as I enjoyed my time on the ships, I started to realize that cruise photography had its limitations and conventions. I felt like I wasn’t fully tapping into my potential and expressing my own vision. That’s when I knew that my dream was to showcase my photography to the world to share my unique perspective and passion. I envisioned myself exhibiting my works in galleries and museums, connecting with people who appreciated and resonated with my art. 

I knew that I wanted to take my photography to the next level, so I decided to enroll in the Master of Professional Studies in Digital Photography program at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City. It was an incredible experience that exposed me to various forms of photography, including documentary photography. In fact, my Couchsurf Hosts series, which I started during my time at SVA, has become a lifelong project that I’ve exhibited internationally. 

After I graduated from SVA, the pandemic hit, and finding a job became almost impossible. I did some freelance work, but since everything was shut down, I couldn’t really make much of an impact. Then, a friend told me about an MFA program that was offering a fully funded opportunity to teach at the college level. I was hesitant to jump into another master’s program right after finishing one, but I applied anyway. To my surprise, I got in! Now, I’m pursuing my Master of Fine Art Degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and I’m teaching Intro to Digital Photography to undergrads. It’s amazing to see how far I’ve come, and I can’t wait to see where my photography journey takes me next. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not a smooth road; my journey has been filled with many ups and downs. It has been a wild ride and continues to be challenging to this day. I may not have mentioned before, but I am originally from Thailand and currently in the U.S. on a student visa, which means I cannot work off-campus without permission. 

As you’ve probably gathered from my story, I’ve had several career changes before finding my way back to photography. I left a good job in Thailand to pursue my dream professionally in America, despite everyone’s objections. After taking various paths, I finally earned my first photography degree, but then the pandemic hit. I was unsure of what to do next – whether to return to Thailand where the art community is not as supportive as in the U.S. and Europe. Fortunately, I was presented with another opportunity to advance my career by receiving a fully funded scholarship to attend an MFA program. It seemed like great news, but it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. By choosing to continue my education in the U.S. after completing my first master’s degree, I had to trade it with my life in Thailand. My partner decided to end things, which wasn’t his fault, and I understood. My life path has never been easy. Every time a big opportunity arises, I always have to sacrifice something. For example, when I was about to join the cruise ship as a photographer, my father passed away just a month or two before, and I was conflicted about whether to leave my mother alone. 

As we cannot turn back time, I make the most of the opportunities I have and keep moving forward. My art photography continues to receive good feedback, and I have received awards and have been included in several international exhibitions. I’ve been teaching in my university as a primary instructor since my first year of the MFA program. I’m graduating next spring in 2024, and now I’m searching for opportunities to apply for an artist visa to continue working in the U.S. 

I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m doing my best to pursue my passion for photography and keep moving forward with my life. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a visual artist specializing in photography, I have extensive experience in both studio and on-location portraits. In addition to my background in business management and recruitment, I have advanced photographic skills from Michigan State University, the Nikon School in Thailand, and a master’s degree in digital photography from New York’s prestigious School of Visual Arts. I am currently pursuing my MFA in Art Studio at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a concentration on photography and digital media. 

My work explores themes such as home, culture, community, identity, and the relationship between people and places. I often use my personal experiences as a reference to examine the formation of personal mythology. I received recognition for my work by winning the grand prize in the 2020 Fujifilm Students of Storytelling contest, the Critics’ Choice Award in the 2020 LensCulture competition, and the IPE 164 award from the Royal Photographic Society. My work has been exhibited in national and international exhibitions, including The Flag Project at Rockefeller Center in collaboration with Aperture Foundation in 2021 and City Harvest in 2023, a public art show at The Presidio in San Francisco, LensCulture New York 2022, and the RPS International Photography Exhibition 164 in Bristol, UK. In addition, I was chosen as one of the finalists for the “Portrait of Humanity” by 1854 Media and the British Journal of Photography, and my photograph was published in the Portrait of Humanity Vol. 5 book. 

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Please contact [email protected] for collaborate or work request. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://natchaw.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanaka9/