Hong Kong Family Portrait | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

I have the opportunity to photograph a Hong Kong family portrait at Tai Po and Big Wave Bay in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, both beautiful days are great for photography. Warm weather and less people at both location make an ideal family portraits session. Arm with my Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 85mm F1.2L ‘this is a jewel not a lens’ quote by well known movie dp Vincent Laforet. I do shoot a lot of photography with natural light but having the skill of using flashes allowing me to keep the details in the photograph, flashes allowing me to create mood and craft the photo into an Art photo. You can view my Wedding Portfolio, Portraits and Events Portfolio, Engagement Portfolio as they all have my signature style. Using my flash skills I was able to create a special family portrait for the Silas, Stella, Jethro, Jense’s family into ‘Art of Storytelling’.

Big Wave Bay do not get the name scares you as the waves does not compare to Hawaii on a normal day but you can find bigger waves during the typhoon seasons. Surfers do get use of this lovely beaches especially if you are a beginner. Although it will disappoint any Pro surfer, it is a top quiet place for family portraits photography since it is on the end of Hong Kong Island, close to Chai Wan and Shek O golf course. It makes an ideal place for wedding, family portraits photography. Parking is limited but public transportation from buses, taxi can be found. Trails wrap around the Big Wave Bay can be a good work out, the narrow path is cemented no need for hiking boots but a good pair of walking shoes are needed. Do note the hills are quite steep!

The sand at Big wave Bay and Shek O beach are sandy unlike Vancouver beaches full with rocks, the fine powder sands makes an ideal running family portraits even with bare feet (see photo below). Year round Hong Kong is an ideal warm place, the water temperature during winter time is bearable to swim in as I recall from memory around 7C during my stay at January time.

Tai Po park (Chinese: 大埔海濱公園) is in Tai Po in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It is located along Tolo Harbour, and its western end is at the northern part of the mouth of the Lam Tsuen River. It occupies an area of 22 hectares, and is the largest park managed by Leisure and Cultural Services Departmen. The $210-million Tai Po Waterfront Park is the largest park managed by Leisure and Cultural Service Department the main design feature is that the Park rests on a hill with the central part being the highest point. From this strategic point, visitors can capture the view of the whole Park. They can also go up to the lookout tower to have a panoramic view of the Tolo Harbour and the surrounding.

Tai Po lookout tower is 32.4 metres high; it gives visitors a panorama view over Tolo Harbour, the Tai Po Industrial Estate and the rugged countryside stretching back to the boundary with mainland China. The plaques of the lookout tower depict the history of Tai Po, including the struggle with British army when they originally entered the New Territories, the heroic resistance against Japanese army during the Occupation and prosperity after World War II. If you ever want to visit the Dragon Boat Race in Hong Kong, is held in the sea off the park.

Family Portrait means a lot to me, why? Growing up up in Hong Kong I have a handful of black and white photos of my lovely grandma as I wish I have more with her! When in time for the grandparents family portrait, it means more than snapping the moments away. I wanted to create something special for grandchildren as I want the grandchildren to look back how lucky they are to have such a wonderful grandparents as I once did!

How to make youngsters to have fun, making them to enjoy the company of the grandparents? I love being with youngster and being with people are the gifts given to me, this allows me to make them laugh and interact with the family! I’m sure the photos of the grandparents will past down like a gemstone into the family album. Best part being a photographer allowing me to be part of the family, it is so wonderful to have such a beautiful family full of support of each others! I look forward to create more ‘Art of Storytelling’ when they come to Vancouver for a family trip.

• Family Portrait: Silas and Stella family
• Date of Project: January, 2013
• Loaction: Tai Po at Kowloon, Big Wave Bay at Hong Kong Island
• Technique: one to two second slow shutter for fine art, 85mm open at F1.2 for bokeh soft style
• Equipments: Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 600 exrt, Canon 70-200mm F2.8L, Canon 8-15mm F4L, Zeiss 21mm F2.8

Content credit to: Tai Po Look Out Park | Wikipedia and Tai Po Water Front Park | Leisure and Cultural Services

Wayne Lam Visual Artist combining his creative skills and the love of being with people to create one of the kind ‘Art of Storytelling’ He also created a Short Film ‘Color Of Lovers.
Contact Vancouver Wedding Photographer + Videographer Wayne Lam at 604 430 9888