Hong Kong Engagement Session

As soon as I saw Hong Kong with my own eyes I was 1: mesmerized and 2: jealous of all the photographers that get to work in this city. There is a limitless amount of opportunities for creativity if you are inspired by colorful architecture and cityscapes, and I knew I wanted a Hong Kong engagement session in my portfolio.

I met Carmen and Kelvin through IG and they happily agreed to spend the evening running around Mid-Levels and Central neighborhoods well after the sun went down. Fortunately, Hong Kong, as any metropolis, has an abundance of bright lit signs and street lamps to keep the compositions interesting.

Throughout our shoot both Carmen and Kelvin shared their experience while living in HK during the protests and as many of their peers (college students) they voiced their frustrations with the police brutality and overall unfair treatment of the protestors. It seems like everyone in this city has had an unfortunate run in with police during the past 6 months, no matter of their involvement in the protest movement. 

As it got later into the evening, we took the Star Ferry across the bay to Tsim Sha Tsui which revealed an amazing view of the Hong Kong Island skyline. We walked a bit further away from the port towards Avenue of Stars, and as I suggested the next shot, both Kelvin and Carmen squirmed at the idea of shooting here saying in unison “that’s where all the tourists get their photos taken”. And just as they said it a different photographer approached us offering to take our photo in front of the skyline for 20$. We politely declined and I suggested that we still do this shot but with a small twist, to make the image a bit more interesting than the typical “tourist trap” grip and grin photo. 

I have an immense amount of respect for everyone who lives in this city through these trying times and wanted to show that it is about much more than what you hear on the news. Special thanks to both Carmen and Kelvin for taking the time to walk with a foreigner and to share their insights on their home city. 

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We are Anastasiia & Alex, a couple that united over the love for photography, fun adventures and the appreciation for the range of human emotions. We are a wedding photography duo living in Washington, DC and we are partners in everything: life, love, crime/photography, and beer pong. If you like our style and would love to learn more about us and our services, shoot us a message.

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