Ketsiree Wong Wan

A pragmatic and no-nonsense approach informs the work of this architectural photographer who has shot for some of Thailand’s best and brightest architectural studios

- Mel Patrick Kasingsing

Ketsiree Wongwan does not mince her words. She explains herself in as matter of fact as she can, with a refreshing candor. This straight-to-the-point ethos is also evident in her architectural photography, in which views and angles seem to mimic the unfussy orthogonal views you find in sober architectural drawings or in 3D modelling software: front, back, top, and the occasional two-point perspective. And therein lies the appeal of Wongwan’s photographic work: one is able to enjoy the architecture in as direct and simple a manner as possible. Her photographs portray a project’s sense of scale and proportion, its genius loci, and its architectural story through decisive angles. We find out how a failing grade in architecture school led Wongwan to reinforce the gut feeling she had to follow through with her interest in photography.

Can you briefly recount how you started as an architectural photographer? Did you have a background in architecture before you chose this career path?

It all goes back to when I was an architecture student and I was taking a class called ‘Photography and Design’. Our professor invited a senior alumnus, who was working as a photographer, as a guest speaker. Listening to him talk, I realized that I could balance something I love, photography, with the field I was currently studying about.

It was only when I got an F for the ‘Design’ component when I knew that becoming an architect did not have to be my only career choice. Failing gave me more free time during senior year to do photography. I then applied for an internship at art4d, a Bangkok-based architectural and design magazine. I’m currently still working for them as a photographer.

What attracts you to architecture as a photographer?