Patsamon Suphanadephong

A few years before this portrait, I had asked my students to build a pop-up studio at a craft market. Among the people they photographed, one person stood out and later interacted with our university page. Curious, I looked at Namon’s profile and discovered that alongside her textile craft she also worked as an actress in commercials and television, often in comedic roles.

When I began making more portraits, I contacted her directly. It was the first time we met in person, so I travelled to Nakhon Pathom to visit her coffee shop and crochet studio. We spoke mostly in Thai, which she was more comfortable using. She told me she had moved there in search of a better work-life balance. During Covid, when acting work slowed down, crochet became a serious part of her life and eventually led to the shop.

The encounter reminded me why I kept returning to this project. It strengthened my belief that photography can be a meaningful way to build connections despite my earlier doubts.