SweetEscape is committed to helping you capture life perfectly during the good times and tough times. As one of the biggest platform that connects you with thousands of photographers around the world, we would like to connect you with one of our photographers every two weeks on Instagram Live to discuss and share their experience during this global pandemic and their memorable moments as a SweetEscape photographer.

In this fourth episode of our Instagram Live with #SweetEscapePhotographers, we talked to Ardi Supartha from Bali, Indonesia, one of SweetEscape's most popular destinations. Ardi's full time profession as a medical lecturer in one of the universities in Bali also gave us a unique insight on the lives of medical professionals during this global pandemic situation.

How's the situation in Bali? When did it all began?

I think it started around January, and since then it was a lot of mess. People were panicking. But now it's a lot better. In the special regions like Denpasar, the local government limits the citizen's activities escpecially during daytime. One huge change for Bali is that there are almost no tourists around; most of them have either gone back to their countries, and some are stuck here in Bali because all flights are cancelled for the time being. What's interesting is for some of them, being stuck in Bali is better than going back to their home country!

Basically, people just prefer to stay at home, which is a good thing. It's like Nyepi (Balinese Day of Silence) everyday! Before all this, many of us wondered what it would be like to have a lot of holidays or weekends and now that's exactly what we've got! Everyday feels like a weekend and now everyone are confused on what to do to pass the time.

What have you been doing during the quarantine?

I'm a medical lecturer in Tabanan University, and one might expect that I would be conducting a lot of online classes for my students, but in reality a lot of them have to help their parents in the rice fields during this difficult times, so not so much classes could be conducted. So I've been helping the local nurses to have better understandings on infectious disease control and stuffs.

While not teaching, I have a small drone, so every afternoon I would fly my drone to go around the neighbourhood, capturing the footage from air. Mostly rice fields, but it's nice to be able to see a lot of things while not going anywhere.

When did you first join SweetEscape and what's the most memorable session you've had?

I joined around two years ago, so around 2018. I have plenty of experience helping SweetEscape clients! The most memorable one would be about me and my sensitive stomach. One time, I was having this really painful bowel problem right before I had to have a session with SweetEscape! I knew I had to deliver my best for the clients, so I didn't tell them about it because if I told them, it would ruin their moment! So I decided to brace myself from the stomach pain and tried my best to keep the client cheerful and smiling throughout the session!

Memorable session?

For almost 2 years joining SE, I have plenty experience helping SE clients. My funny experience will be about me and my sensitive stomach. So that one time, I have bowel problems and at the same time I have a session and I need to deliver my best for the clients. I didn’t tell them about it because if I tell them then it’ll ruin the moment and they’ll get distracted. So I need to hold myself from the stomach pain while still keeping that smile and excitement for the clients.

Recently, Bali have been announced as 'The World's Most Instagrammable Island'. What are the most-visit spots in Bali for Photo Shoots?

Most clients are already excited about having a photo shoot in Bali, no matter the spot, but I always ask their preference: Is it the beach or the temples. If they choose temples, then there's one quite new in Melasti Beach. If they want a more traditional location, I would suggest going to Ubud, where we can also get the rice fields and other traditional Balinese scenes. We don't really need to go to the famous Tegalalang Rice Terrace, though, because it is so popular and many people want to go there, it became very crowded very quickly. Instead, we can go to Pahpahan Village. It's similar, but less crowded.

For beach shoots, it's difficult because all of the beaches in Bali are beautiful! But if I had to pick one, I'd definitely pick Nyanyi Beach. It has the most beautiful view of sunset and–what's best–it's free of charge!

For instagrammable spot... I suggest Katu Lampung Waterfall. It's the best waterfall in Bali! You can visit Katu Lampung from Denpasar in around 40 minutes. I'd suggest you to take motorbike instead of a car, because the streets are narrow and small, so it would be easier to maneuver using bikes.

What is your most favourite moment to capture? Is it proposal? Pre-weddings?

I like all of them! For me, having the honour of being a part of someone's story in Bali, to be trusted to capture their memories in Bali and to be a part of the good times our clients have in Bali, that brings a unique satisfaction for me every time. It brings a lot of happiness for me!

What are the most common things asked by the clients?

I think the most common thing asked would be the best timing for the photo shoot. Not a lot of people know when the best timing is, especially for photo shoots at the beach. Depending on the location, it would be around 5pm-6pm for beach shoots because sunset here usually happens at 6.30pm, and 7am-7.30am in the morning for photo shoots at Ubud and the rice fields.

Where to shoot the best Pre-Wedding session in Bali?

Melasti Beach is everyone’s favourite with a straight street in between these two huge white cliffs... But for me Nyanyi Beach is still the best spot for pre-wedding!

What if it rains during the session?

In Bali, we do most of our shoots outdoors, so if the weather isn’t friendly on the day of the photo shoot then I will usually ask the client whether they have other days, other free time to do the session because the photos won’t turn as good if it’s cloudy and gloomy and I don’t want that for my clients. I want to give the best experience and the highest satisfaction! I want to make their 1-hour or 2-hour shoot the most memorable thing for them to bring home from Bali.

What about indoor photo shoot?

That's a tough question! In Bali people normally do a lot of shoots outdoors with the natural sceneries. However, if you had to do an indoor photo shoot, I would suggest Prana Studio, located in Seminyak. It's half-restaurant half-spa establishment, with Middle Eastern achitecture and you can rent the place hourly. Other than that, there's Namaku Studio in Ungasan, perfect for vintage-themed photo shoots.

Top 3 must-try food?

Of course the most famous would be pork ribs. Second one is Lawar, which is mixed vegetables with special Balinese spices and pork crackling. Third one would be Nasi Bali, because you can basically get a taste of all Balinese delicacies in one plate.

All of this definitely make us long for our much needed Balinese Vitamin-Sea even more! The news have been saying that the economy in Indonesia is reopening this summer, so–fingers crossed–we can visit Bali just in time for our summer escapades! Until then, stay safe, stay at home, and plan your next trip to Bali #CapturedPerfectly with SweetEscape!