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Art Avenue Interviews Mark Paulda About Bhutan

Photographer Mark Paulda visited a country that rejects Western values and where few ever visit. And when he returns to Bhutan in June, he’s bringing eight more cameras with him. Paulda was intent on showcasing the beauty, heritage and lush landscapes of this pristine country nestled between China and India in the rugged terrain of the eastern Himalayas—a country whose average annual household income is a mere $1,800 but measures its prosperity through a Gross National Happiness Index. It wasn’t until he made an unlikely friend that Paulda realized he needed to expand his photo project beyond his own viewfinder. After all, who better to reveal the mysterious world of Bhutan, than the Bhutanese themselves?

 

There is such an innocence to the people we don’t see in the western world. We’ve lost it—a genuine kindness that we have to look for because we put up boundaries and guards. To find this untainted world and experience that with the people, it really moved me,” said Paulda.

 

The government of Bhutan didn’t allow television or internet access until 1999, it is a region completely void of commercialization, banning franchises and international advertising. It is one of unique simplicity allowing for its citizens to sustain a traditional lifestyle. Bhutan limits tourism to preserve the culture and maintain its purity, which is a reason why Paulda journeyed there last year. He wanted to observe the intimacy one could have with its people, their traditions and way of life.

 

I help aspiring and established photographers get noticed so they can earn an income from photography or increase sales. My blog, Photographer’s Business Notebook is a wealth of information as is my Mark Paulda’s YouTube Channel. I also offer a variety of books, mentor services and online classes at Mark Paulda Photography Mentor

 

All images are available as Museum Quality Photographic Prints and Commercial Licensing. Feel free to contact me with any and all inquiries.

 

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Uploaded on August 1, 2021
Taken on March 25, 2013