Just like everyone else, I, too, have been held hostage by a singular TikTok trend over the last month. Each video kicks off in the same manner: someone seated in a make-up chair, getting a pound of product piled onto their visage. “Unfortunately, I’ll never feel pretty again because this was my photoshoot in China,” states the voiceover. The clip then cuts to a series of images, each more fantastical than the last: women dressed as fairies, nymphs and in elaborate period pieces. Couple shoots in full regency-style garb. K-Pop idol transformations. The possibilities are endless for those who dare to dream—and are willing to pay for it, of course.
“I never thought that photoshoots on this scale were possible for the masses,” points out Shermane Lum. “I think it’s natural to assume that this is something only models would experience, so when I first heard about it, it felt like an entryway to this glamorous, elusive world that I’ve always been curious about. I’m comfortable on camera, too, so I decided to take a leap of faith and go for it.”
@angelinazhq felt ethereal n shi #photoshoot #china #transition #kitsune #fox ♬ Cool for the Summer – Demi Lovato
It’s safe to say that folks like Lum are a natural candidate for such ventures. But it seems even the camera-shy are not deterred—for Tian Tian Wang, the opportunity to commemorate a specific time in her life outweighed her aversion to being photographed.
“I actually didn’t go to China specifically to get my photos taken. I was there for an extended period of time on holiday and decided to go for it after seeing some videos on social media,” Wang explains. “I don’t like to get my photos taken, but I remember thinking that I’ll only be this age once. And if professionals can’t make you look good, who can?”
A cut above the rest
Professionals in this case refers to studio photographers, many of whom boast impressive technical know-how as well as expertise. It is, however, only one of the many reasons as to why Singaporeans are opting to head to China for their photoshoots.
“I opted for China because, first and foremost, there is no language barrier,” clarifies Soon Sim Tan. “I also liked that there were a lot of shoot concept options. But I think what really convinced me was coming across videos on Instagram of people documenting their experience. They said a lot of great things about the service they received, where the crew would go above and beyond to ensure a really uplifting photography process.”
Above and beyond is one way to put it. A quick scroll through the plethora of videos within the #ChinaPhotoshoot hashtag reveals a clearer picture: photographers are endlessly patient and generous with their praise; food and bubble tea delivery are available for longer shoots; while sets are meticulously built and tweaked on the spot to ensure customers get exactly what they pay for. Bearing in mind how saturated the market is, it hardly comes as a surprise that studios have to go the extra mile to stand out; the full superstar experience, if you will, at a reasonable cost.
With my interest well and truly piqued, I hopped onto the bandwagon myself when I visited Shanghai. Strangely enough, the trickiest part of the entire process had nothing to do with the shoot itself, but rather, the lead-up to it. Hunting down the perfect studio alone required long hours of research on two Chinese-based apps, RedNote and WeChat, as well as a strong grasp of the language to understand the multitude of packages available.
The latter can be mitigated to an extent with translation apps, but there’s something to be said about the nuances that are lost during the process. For example, my initial conversation with a prospective studio was rife with miscommunication thanks to their continual use of colloquialisms; I had no idea that the sharing of WeChat information is banned on RedNote, which led to my account being restricted.
Lights, camera, action
Despite the bumps in the road, I had found and arranged for a shoot with a TikTok-viral studio, The package I opted for entitled me to their hair and make-up services, access to their extensive wardrobe, all the raw images, 10 retouched pictures, behind the scene videos and even polaroids for two themes at the reasonable price of $350. My previous headshots in Korea had cost twice as much for two edited portraits, so to say I was pleased was an understatement.
My first impression of the studio space was largely positive: clean, spacious and bustling with the throngs of people required to make photography magic happen. Upon entry, I was asked to confirm my concept selection before I was ushered straight into the hair and make-up booth. Depending on how much you pay, you’ll either be escorted to a private room or a shared space which includes other customers getting their glam done. You will, however, get a dedicated make-up artist and there was enough space to sit and rest comfortably, so it didn’t feel like I was in a congested space.
@cheryltn 写真s definitely a must-try in china omg 🥹 the entire experience took about 4-5h!! try to book earlier slots as they tend to push back slots infinite focus studio in shanghai! #china #photoshoot #shanghai ♬ Pink Friday Girls – Nicki Minaj
There is something to be said about being upfront with your glam team. I noticed that this applied across all my interviewees as well. Without clear direction, it is likely that they would adhere to conventional Chinese beauty standards, which—more often than not—includes some attempt at skin lightening.
“They applied tone-up cream all over my body and arms, so I had this really ghostly cast in my photos. I told them to edit it during the post-production process, and it was a relief that they were able to manage it. But imagine if it wasn’t possible,” Lum states with a laugh. “My biggest tip for anyone going for a photoshoot in China: if there’s any part of your hair and make-up that you hate, please voice it out.”
Wang had a similar experience, but with the clothes provided rather than the glam. It should be noted that there are studios aplenty that do offer a variety of sizes and styles, but extra research is required to find out exactly which. “I understand that some of this is on me because I could have prepared my own clothes as a safety precaution,” she points out. “But I guess I didn’t think that there would be such a limited range. At the end of the day, I settled for something but I do feel that the garments they provided didn’t bring out my personality.”
What you see is what you get
As per what you see on social media, the actual shoot process was a commendable one—for me, at least. What I particularly liked was that most studios allowed you to request for male or female photographers beforehand, which goes a long way in easing posing-related awkwardness. At the core of it, however, the biggest learning point was that the best results are gleaned from having a clear vision in mind. In the case of most Chinese photo studios, the concept template images are an exact duplicate of what you will get. If you’d like to tweak a background, outfit or make-up choice, for instance, it’s best to voice it out immediately or during the planning process. This applies to the retouch process as well; for optimal results, be as specific with your wants, needs and non-negotiables—lest you end up with less than ideal shots.
“At the end of the day, I think it is important to remember that this is a service you paid for. While speaking up can be tough for some, it can lead to you leaving happy with your results or very much on the other end of the spectrum,” Lum advises. “If you want to avoid the latter outcome, trust your gut and get the crew to adjust accordingly to your requests. Trust me, it’s worth it.”
