JPL

With better economy a wedding photography has become a huge industry in China. That is really good news for photographers and the camera industry. We can expect this trend to spread to more asian countries. And it is not only wedding photography but all kind of photography growing. In China, many spend hours or a whole day in the studio to get their pictures right. In China photography industry has grown about 50% in 4 years and is now a $48 bn industry. That will provide a living for a lot of people.

I find this interesting as I see a lot of complain here on UHH about how difficult wedding photography is and that photography and camera industry is about doomed when most people have a smartphone.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Interesting.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Something tells me the entire mood of a Chinese shoot is different from an American Bride-zilla affair. In China it is likely watch out for the Groom's Mother!

Photography in China does seem to be growing, also as a fine art. Seems like there is even state sponsored photography. I saw a show in Alhambra, California of a visiting Chinese photographer. Some great photos but...

... A good friend of mine who is also a photographer and from Hong Kong saw the show too and talked to the fellow (in Mandarin I'd guess, though she is a Native Cantonese and English Speaker). Afterwards, she seemed to hate him, and bad-mouthed his otherwise great images*. Sounds like because he is a Communist party member he gets privileged access to locations and buildings. Yes, the photos showed that. Glad that is seldom an issue in the United States. My Chinese friend and her family live in the U.S.A. now, and some are citizens as well now.

*his work seemed to be split between urban scenes in modern Chinese cities. Much shot from high atop buildings. I swear he had access to a large format digital camera. His images are so sharp and crisp even when printed huge. (Chinese government sponsorship?) The other side of his work though less original, blew me away. Landscapes, close-ups, abstracts in the line of, and he did admit a following of, Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Brett Weston, Minor White, and Wynn Bullock. Photographers I love. Seems like somehow the Chinese fellow visited the U.S. South-West for some of his photographs. I got no explanation for that. I don't think he spoke any English and the Gallery curator did not explain that part of his story. He did have a massively pricey limited ed photo book all in Chinese.

Thanks for the initial post on photography in China.

JPL

Here is a good article about part of this photography growth in China. http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20170906-inside-beijings-immense-fantastical-wedding-photo-studio

mrpentaxk5ii

Photographing a wedding is one of the most difficult things I have done with a camera, and the three weddings i photographed were outdoor venue weddings, the ceremonys were held outdoors and the reception were inside a restaurant or large tents. Shooting these events their are no time outs or re-shoots. you have to be able to capture each and every special moment as it happens, the pressure is intense.

JeffT Loc: Central NY

I was in Shanghai earlier this year. While walking along the river there must have been 10 couples being photographed. A number of the photographers had full off camera lighting setups and 2 or 3 assistants. It was interesting that about half on the brides wore red and the other half wore white. The grooms were all in black.

ELNikkor

The equipment is still expensive, but the assistants are pretty cheap

glyphtrix

Oh boy.... it will be a big boom for MANDARIN SPEAKING PHOTOGRAPHERS dude.

Okay Wedding photography has 2 components : technical prowess and people skills.
If you don't speak the native language ..YOU ain't gonna interact with the people and so you any gonna get the gig.. and most Chinese are frugal and are not going to pay western photographers to fly to thier gigs IN ASIA...

glyphtrix

And EVEN IF you can stutter "please and thank you " in broken cantonese.. you still ain't gonna get the gig because of the people aspect .

Not only is their a requirement to speak the language there is an additional requirement of familiarity with the culture and it's ways.. Asians keep to themselves as all cultures are want to do.. if you can speak the lingo but you don't know the customs, mores, and how to interact you become a bore not to be suffered...and that holds for any language and any people.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Anthony Bourdain visited China on one of his CNN travel tours. I was shocked how many millionaires, and some billionaires, who live in modern China. I thought they all lived in Hong Kong. Not at all. A big change from the Chairman Mao days.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Americans tend to want other cultures to adjust to them. All Asian Cultures are not the same. There are distinct differences among Japanese, South Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, and the Philippines. I've associated with all of them, at one time or another. Though they still have an interest in western culture, be it music, movies or clothing. Their native culture is still a big part of them.

cthahn

Wedding photography is not difficult and is lucrative if you are a photographer and can produce quality photos. If you purchase an expensive camera and think this will make you a professional photographer, your are wrong. If you sign a contract to do a wedding and do not produce, you are liable to get you read end removed.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

In some Asian cultures, red is a traditional color. I photographed several weddings in which the bride changed dresses....one red and one white.....

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

It is not at all surprising to me that there is a booming wedding photography industry in China. I have covered numerous weddings in the Chinese-Canadian community in my city and find theses celebrations to be interesting,, colorful (to say the least), festive- lots of great photo-ops, and lucrative too!

I don't like to generalize about any culture but the lovely thing I find in the Chinese community is the family orientation- the family unit, love and respect for the parents and elders is alive and well even among the up-to-date younger generation and the upwardly mobile professional crowed. Traditions are respected and maintained.

Theses affairs are well populated! Folks bring gifts and food to both tea ceremonies. It is not unusual for a few hundred guests to attend the ceremony and the reception and everyone participates!

It's a day's work for sure- not for the lazy photographer! There are usually tea ceremonies at the homes of both the brides's and groom's parents. This is in addition to the religious service. Lots of formal and family portraits are in order and the FEAST is something to behold! Personally, I usually avoid catering food- bad for the diet- but we ain't talking "rubber chicken"! They serve a full-fledged multiple course authentic dinner. No MSG and no "Chop-Suey"! If you don't sit down and partake, somebody's gonna be mad at you! Hospitality is one reason, however, you are gonna need the nourishment and strength. There are kinda raucous party games, the couple cruses all the guest tables where they are greeted and toasted and there is social dancing well into the night- rock 'n' roll. Sometimes there is karaoke too. It all has to be covered.

Yes, the bride will change attire- three or four times. There is the traditional red and gold kind of kimono style robe (I know "kimono" is a Japaneses thing, but I don't know what the Chinese term is). Of course the Western style white gown is worn for the church ceremony and there might be a few other robe changes during the evening. At the end of the party there is the "going away" dress.

Well- I never did an OLIGARCH kinda wedding but affluence in certain circles in China is not surprising either. Historically, they have always been mercantile and business/trade savvy. I have always found it ironic that they still cling to communism. Probably something to do with Confucianism- have to read up on it after I retire.

Not planning a move to China any time soon. Business may be swift but the TAXES are kinda high!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Traditionally, red symbolizes good luck in the Chinese culture.