I was commissioned by New Forests, a global investment manager focused on sustainable forestry and land management, to document their operations in some of the most ecologically and culturally rich regions of Southeast Asia. My assignment took me deep into the tropical landscapes of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, the vast forested plains of West Kalimantan in Indonesia, and the serene riverbanks of Hinboun on the Mekong near the Thai-Laos border.

New Forests is committed to creating long-term value through sustainable forestry, conservation, and carbon offset projects, and my role was to capture not just the physical landscapes they manage, but the human stories woven into the fabric of these places. From the sun-drenched canopy of young teak plantations to the calloused hands of those who nurture these trees, my images sought to reflect the balance between economic development and environmental stewardship – the people who depend on these forests for their livelihoods, and the critical ecosystems that sustain them.

This commission offered me a unique opportunity to witness the intersection of conservation, community, and commerce, and to translate that connection into a visual narrative that both informs and inspires.