Personal Vacation Photographer: Capturing a Family’s Adventure in Sumbawa

Back in 2015, I visited Sumbawa simply to travel and explore. At the time, most of my adventures took me around West Sumbawa. Eleven years later, I returned to the island with a different purpose: working as a personal vacation photographer for a family on a four-day, three-night adventure, while discovering more of this beautiful destination along the way.

Our journey began with a boat trip across the sea, followed by a ride in a local angkot from the harbor as we made our way to Moyo Island. There, we visited a beautiful waterfall famously associated with the late Princess Diana, Mata Jitu waterfall. We spent hours soaking in its refreshing natural pools before continuing to Poto Jarum for a snorkeling adventure in its clear blue waters.

The following morning started before sunrise. We boarded a boat and headed toward Saleh Bay, where we had the incredible opportunity to see whale sharks in their natural habitat. Between the early morning departure, resting on the boat, and the excitement of encountering these magnificent creatures, it was an unforgettable experience.

The next day was all about being beach kids! We spent almost the entire day on Kenawa Island, enjoying the white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and peaceful island atmosphere. As a personal vacation photographer, these are the moments I love capturing most, not just beautiful family portraits, but also the laughter, little adventures, and genuine connections that make a holiday truly memorable.

After the family wrapped up their holiday and headed home, I decided to extend my stay in Sumbawa for another two days. Unlike my trip in 2015, when I spent most of my time exploring West Sumbawa, this time I wanted to discover more of the Sumbawa Besar area. With my camera in hand, I continued my travel photography journey, taking time to observe local life, explore the town, and discover places I hadn't had the chance to see before.

It felt special to return to Sumbawa after all these years and experience the island from a different perspective. Back in 2015, I came purely as a traveler. This time, I returned as a photographer, documenting a family's holiday while making room for my own adventures along the way. For me, personal vacation photography is about more than simply taking pictures during a holiday. It's about sharing the experience, discovering new places together, and capturing the genuine moments that families can look back on and cherish for years to come.

This trip to Sumbawa was not only about documenting a family's adventure but also about reconnecting with a destination I had visited years ago, exploring a different part of the island, and seeing it through a new lens. Sometimes, the best part of being a photographer is getting to combine two things I love most: photography and travel. And Sumbawa gave me the perfect opportunity to do both.