MEET NADA. 

A Bangkok based photographer who shot the Heart To Hands collection. Her creative journey started in music. She grew up playing the cello and later studied music at Goldsmiths, University of London. It was there that her love for photography began to grow.

Shooting film started as a hobby while she worked at a sound studio, but over time it became the creative outlet she couldn’t let go of.

“I’ve always been drawn to different forms of art, so moving from music to photography felt less like a big leap and more like a natural transition, just a new way of telling stories and capturing emotion through a different medium.”

 

What drew you fully into photography after studying music?

Studying music gave me a strong sense of discipline, but over time I realised that while I loved the idea of being in an orchestra and creating music, the reality of it as a long-term career didn’t fully feed my soul. I missed the sense of spontaneity and connection that originally drew me to the arts.
Photography gave me that in a different way, the energy of a fashion shoot, meeting new people, travelling to new places, and collaborating with creatives in real time. It feels alive, constantly changing, and deeply human, which is something I didn’t always feel in a more structured musical environment.

What do you hope someone sees, or feels, when they look at your work?

I’m naturally drawn to art that feels light, warm, and alive. When someone looks at my work, I hope it invites them to pause. Even just for a moment. I don’t need it to feel heavy or life-changing; if it makes someone linger a little longer, feel something subtle, or smile quietly to themselves, that already means everything to me.

 

What’s something outside of photography that influences your eye?

Travel influences my eye more than anything else. I’m always paying attention to how different places feel, their culture, their architecture, the way light moves through streets and rooms. I tend to think about places the same way I think about photography: different temperatures, different tones, different moods.

A city can feel warm and soft, or cool and sharp, just like light. Being in new places constantly retrains the way I see, it changes how I notice color, shadow, space, and even how people move through it. That quiet observation always ends up shaping my work.

 

With so many visual references online, how do you stay connected to your own point of view?

The longer I stay in this industry, the less I rely on visual references or being constantly online. I try to keep my headspace clear and stay in my own lane. When I’m not working, instead of scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram, I go out and move. I play tennis, go on walks, explore new dishes and spend time doing things that keep me present.I think that’s how my eyes stay fresh. You start noticing beauty in unexpected places, in movement, in energy, and that slowly filters into my work in a much more natural, honest way. It’s less about copying what I see online and more about letting real life shape how I see. 

 

Besides photography, you also run a private dining business as well. Tell me more about that.

Yes, and it’s actually a big part of what keeps me creatively fresh. Being involved in different forms of art, especially food, helps keep my ideas flowing. I’ve always loved how food reflects culture, seasons, and different backgrounds; how ingredients come together to create something that speaks to both the eyes and the taste buds. Small details, flavours, and seasonal produce can completely change how a dish feels, much like light and composition in photography.

When I met my partner, what started as small dinner gatherings for friends slowly grew into something more. Even though I’m not a trained chef, I love conceptualising dishes, pairing flavours, and designing the overall experience. And that’s how Salo Table (@salo__table) was born. My partner is Filipino, and before meeting him I had barely experienced Filipino cuisine. Being Thai, I grew up surrounded by my own food culture, but Filipino flavours felt new and exciting to me.

Salo Table became our way of bringing people together to experience our take on modern Filipino cuisine, shaped by our travels, our backgrounds, and the way we both see food as a form of storytelling. We host our dinners in my photography studio, where food, space, and atmosphere come together. Sometimes rooted in Filipino flavours, and sometimes expanding beyond.

What kind of projects or themes are you curious to explore next?

I’m increasingly drawn to creating something more tangible and long-term, rather than just project-based work. I’d love to build a space where my creativity can live in a more physical way.  Whether that becomes a restaurant, a creative studio, or something in between, I’m excited by the idea of bringing together visuals, food, and people in one place. A space that doesn’t just showcase work, but allows people to experience it.

 

Follow her journey on @nadaists @mafnada_ @salo__table