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How to Photograph the Dalai Lama

Mary Bartnikowski
Modern Women
Published in
7 min readOct 14, 2024

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India Dalai Lama Teachings in Dharamsala, MacLeod Ganj with bodyguards and monks
India, Dalai Lama, photo: Mary Bartnikowski

The Dalai Lama doesn’t act like a rock star coming late to the party because he was putting on his make-up.

No, he’s on time. And he doesn’t wear any as I was within centimeters of him today and he’s pure.

His skin glows and his heart embraces you with heaps of love.

Maybe you’ve never felt this much bliss before.

They don’t call him His Holiness for nothing.

The first time I shot the Dalai Lama it was a private 50-person event at Thosamling Nunnery in Dharamsala, India.

When I walked into the room he said, “Get her some tea.”

But I had to disobey his gigantic bodyguard to walk in there.

“Too many people right now,” he said gruffly after I showed him my press pass stamped with the Dalai Lama’s official seal.

Not bloody likely I wouldn’t go in.

Mr. Bodyguard turned his head for a split second and I charged on in.

I speedily sat down in front of the Dalai Lama; no skulking in the wings.

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Modern Women
Modern Women

Published in Modern Women

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Mary Bartnikowski
Mary Bartnikowski

Written by Mary Bartnikowski

Award Winning Photographer, Author 6 books, I help you travel the world or move internationally. Join my newsletter marybartnikowski1.substack.com