Customized travel photography is flourishing in the picturesque Kanas scenic spot in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, as more and more Chinese tourists are viewing travel as an opportunity to craft unique experiences and self-expression rather than just sightseeing.
Compared with traditional travel photography, this emerging customized business provides tourists with one-stop and personalized services including styling, travel portrait shooting, itinerary planning and tour guiding.
Travel photography customizer was classified as a new job type by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China earlier this month.
Han Qi, 54, is one of the photographers who have been engaged in this newly-developing industry. His studio at Kanas, Altay has been busy recently as the enchanting scenic area has ushered in the peak tourist season since the start of May.
He customized a set of travel photography works for a tourist from east China's Anhui, who wanted to capture her special moments at Hemu Village, a fairytale-like wonderland boasting exquisite wooden houses surrounded by green grassland and boundless forest at the foot of snowcapped mountains.
"After watching [the television drama series] 'My Altay,' I had been wanting to travel here to experience horse riding and archery, and to visit the village's characteristic sites. I want to preserve this wonderful memory," said Jiao Dandan, the tourist.
With over 20 years of experience in photography and proficient Internet marketing, Han has become a travel photography customizer who can independently design tour routes and provide professional shooting and guiding services. He said his studio receives some 10 groups of customers every day during the peak season.
"Customized travel photography requires us to invest more time and energy. It often takes a whole day [for one customer]. We need to consider every detail, such as the sunlight in the morning and the travel routes, so as to present the uniqueness and distinctive style [of each customer]," said Han.
At present, there are 14 customized travel photography studios at the Kanas scenic spot. The professions said they hope that visitors will immerse themselves in the unique ethnic customs while enjoying shooting in the magnificent landscape.
Tourists flock to Xinjiang scenic spot for unique photography experiences
