Shit I Make My Boyfriend Do
“So, what do you want for your birthday?” Mark innocently asked.
I grinned, and he immediately saw the glint in my eye.
A look of horror. “Not that! Please not that!” He whimpered. “Just go by yourself!”
But it was too late.
The idea of getting Khmer portraits done at one of the hundreds of studios in Phnom Penh was planted in my mind months before by an article I read on Travel Fish. I desperately tweeted the author, asking where I could do the same (answer: Monivong Boulevard). I too wanted to join the masses of young Cambodians paying to be primped, painted, swaddled, posed, photographed, and photoshopped.
Maybe it’s a girl thing. Maybe it’s a halloween-enthusiasts thing. But there was nothing I wanted more than to get dressed up like a Apsara dancing Khmer princess. For reasons I can’t fathom, this falls very firmly in the domestic, rather than international, tourist scene. It’s kind of the Khmer version of Wal-Mart children’s studio portraits, or yearbook photos. And who doesn’t want some adult versions of those?
What’s up, backpackers? How could you not want this as your new Facebook profile picture? They even photoshopped me to make my skin silky smooth and my arms super skinny!
Unfortunately they did the same to Mark, who wasn’t a big fan of his pasty and thin digital makeover. But hey, this series isn’t called Shit My Boyfriend Did Willingly. (For Part I of this series, see how I made my boyfriend pay a day’s wages to go into an ice bar in Thailand).
I for one put my total trust in the photographer, because after all, he was wearing a Mcdonald’s uniform top. I didn’t put quite as much faith into the makeup artist, who seemed intent on coloring in my actual eyeball with eyeliner pencil and putting eyeshadow down the sides of my nose to make it appear thinner on camera.
The whole experience was a great cultural lesson in Why I Would Make a Horrible Apsara Princess, starting with holy crap that headdress is heavy, and ending with my lack of ability to bend my fingers and toes sufficiently backwards, leading the entire staff of the studio to roll with laughter.
I think we can all pretty much agree that these are the greatest souvenirs one could ever purchase, and perhaps even Christmas Card material.
And with that, it was on to Vietnam. Because clearly, there was nothing left we could do in Cambodia that would top this.
I'm a New York native who left my home to explore the world slowly and thoroughly. I love photography, scuba diving, and reading guidebooks to countries I have no immediate plans to visit. Read more on my 
Oh.My.God!!!!!!!! I love love love that you made him do this and that he did it for you…that’s true love! You look stunning in these, though to be honest I would never had known it was you with the brown hair, you look dramatically different! These are something you show your kids one day haha!!!
I know! I almost wanted to keep my blonde hair for the photos but it was kind of difficult to communicate so I submitted to the wig. Fun to play a brunette for a few hours though!
Ahhhhhhh, that’s awesome! When else does one get to dress up like a princess, right? And that headdress looks spectacular!
The headdress was SO heavy. I would love to have one for dress up parties though!
So can you buy those costumes because I think I know what I want to be for Halloween.
Did you go to a buffet in Siem Reap and see the Aspara dancers?
I don’t know if I would last with that headdress on all night for Halloween! and yes I did see the Apsara show at Temple Bar, and also went to a big fancy show called Smile of Angkor. Lots of Apsara time
This is fabulous–its your Christmas card and your wedding invitation and just a riot! Fabulous.
Thanks Diane! I’m quite fond of it myself. I’ll have to file it away for the wedding invitation idea ha.
I’ll have to speak to Mark
About what?
Wow, I kind of want to do these…
You totally should! Let’s start an Apsara photo revolution…
Holy heck, I want to do these SO BAD. Oh my goodness, amazing. I want to dress up like a princess and be photoshopped to an unrecognizable state.
You can do it in Bangkok as well, but it’s super pricey. When my sister saw these photos she wanted some of our own so we looked in MBK mall but they wanted 3,500 baht (nearly $100!) even after bargaining. Maybe some internet searching would find a cheaper place
We paid $35, which we thought was a lot for Cambodia. Totally worth it though, clearly!
Nice story and pics. Actually your boyfriend looks to me as though he is really enjoying it all.
Ha. Yes, he could barely contain that big smile!
Dear Alex, I love this post…so much fun. I thought Dave and I were the Peter Pan and Wendy of the modern world…but maybe we are not alone. LOL The only difference is that we are truly OLD so we fit the ” Never Grew Up ” pattern well. Keep having fun and seeing the world and posting your adventures..The world loves a good story. L
Thanks Laura… we try to stay spontaneous! I’m sure if you and Dave were there you’d be right there with us!
Haha! Really love this one Hun! You look stunning and I can’t get over Mark in the orange pants! X
Pippa! Glad to see you are reading
You’ll have to stay tuned for your Vietnam cameo! Hope all is well x
Haha yes most definitely! Looking forward to it!
Hope you guys had a good new year! Give my love to KT! X
These photos are AWESOME!! Wonder if I can convince my lovely girlfriend to do a photo shoot like this when we get to Cambodia
I have a feeling she could be convinced
It’s a little pricey (around $35) but in my opinion, the greatest souvenir one could ask for!
You look stunning!! I cant believe he let you put photos of him dressed like this on the interwebs! Best birthday present ever
Well, lets just say it’s better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission! But yes, a very happy birthday
Hahahahaha!
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These are AMAZING! I know what I’m going to ask Chris for on my next birthday. So good. So so good.
Ha, thanks Tawny! After meeting you and Chris and seeing your business cards, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble convincing Chris to dress up
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hey cud u tell me what is the name of the place at mbk mall where i can get this done???
Hi! These photos were actually taken in Cambodia… I did see a place in MBK but didn’t do it there because it was nearly $100USD. Unfortunately I don’t remember the name but ask at security or the help desk at MBK and I’m sure they can direct you.
Hi alex,
thanks for the reply, do u know the name of the place in cambodia and where it is located? btw u look so pretty in these pics
Thank you! I can’t remember the exact name of the place, but there are tons and tons along Monivong Boulevard. Good luck!
Your photos are stunning and it’s cracking me up that I had the exact same idea for my birthday… as I think we both seem to see it, one has to pick something good for the one time of the year that one can get away with almost anything, and I think a costumed photoshoot is a good candidate!
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Ha, thanks! I really can’t believe their retouching skills… I’d love to send all my photos over to them for a little skin brightening and arm thinning…
I couldn’t believe when I stopped into just a regular photo place to get some passport size photos snapped to accompany my resume – the photographer promptly started photoshopping away! Which ended up being awesome, getting rid of stray hairs and such as it did, but just such a surprise!
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Dying with laughter here hahaha! But seriously though, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog entries, most especially the ones about Cambodia. Heading over there in mid-November and I cannot be more excited for the trip.
Cambodia is one of my favorite places on Earth! Best of luck with your trip, I bet you it will be life changing!