Photo Shoots: Models and Brides

When Phil and I Skyped yesterday, he asked about the model and wedding photo shoots I mentioned. He hasn't been back to China since our first adoption in 2001 and couldn't picture the photo shoots on Shamian Island. We thought it would be fun for me to post a Day on Shamian Island.

 

This morning was a typical day. First we saw a Chinese sports model posing in her different athletic outfits.

 

It seems that each model on the Island typically has a specialty...shoes, handbags, sports outfits, regular clothes. You get the idea.

Next we saw the line of purses. We never did see the purse model. Maybe she was finished with her photo shoot before we arrived on the scene. They looked like they were inventorying the bags as we walked by the area.

 

After passing the typical female models, we saw a first. A male model. He had a great sense of humor and even posed just for me.

 

 

Next we passed multiple bridal photo shoots.
 

 

Our guide explained to us that brides and grooms contract with photographic studios as far as twelve months in advance of their wedding. The studios allow the brides to borrow dresses for their sitting portraits. Strangely (to us in the States) these are NOT the dresses they will actual wear on their wedding days. The photos are taken and if for some reason the engagement is broken, the bride and groom split the photo package. Evidently this is not uncommon. 

Another interesting departure is many times the dresses are not white.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the photo shoot day, the bride and groom may pick a traditional package which includes just photos in their wedding dress and tux, or a complete package which includes non-traditional photos. We saw one bride, earlier this week, in shorts, combat boots and her veil. We're assuming this was part of her non-traditional package. Today we only saw traditional dresses.

 

 

I had to laugh when I saw this bride taking a break for lunch. Who can blame her. These photo shoots can last hours.

 

The highlight of the day was our first sighting of a Russian model. Elvin, our guide, told us that Shamian Island had become a popular place for professional Russian models. We saw that first-hand this morning.
 

I'm sure we've seen this model on the front of some magazine. Although the other models we've seen on the Island looked like professionals, this model clearly worked on an entire different level. Instead of traveling witht just a few "helpers", she traveled with an entire entourage.

 

Not only was their a photographer and light crew...

 

but she also had a complete wardrobe, 20+ pairs of shoes, jewelry and a wardrobe changing crew to help her.
 

 

She knew exactly how to pose with no coaching.
 

 

And after a 5-10 minute shoot in each outfit, she did a quick change right there on the street behind her handy, dandy black curtain that her assistants held for her.
 

 

She knew how to pose as if she was walking in a door, walking up stairs (foot in mid-air without looking awkward), leaning on the wall, etc. Just like you see in the professional magazines.

They touched-up her make-up after each outfit change which took an amazingly short time...maybe 2 minutes. It was astonishing.

 

Although I admit it was fascinating to watch, I couldn't help but think of the verse in Proverbs...

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

I pray that Phil and I will not be influenced by the world but instead will train our daughters' to pursue beauty as they run hard after the Lord and His truths. Only then will they truly be beautiful as they shine His light to those around them.

 

After watching the hoopla, we set out to take a few last photos before we leave the Island tomorrow.

 

 

After just two photos, our little princess fell fast asleep in MIchaela's arms.

 

Trying to decide what to do next? Well you didn't have to ask me twice. We went to my favorite spot, Starbucks, and got a nice cup of coffee to relax and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.
 

 

Tomorrow we head to Hong Kong on the train for a quick night's sleep in the hotel. Then on to Chicago for a connection to home sweet home in Charlotte.