Hong Kong Family Photographer Since 2007
My superpower isn’t art direction or Photoshop, it’s getting people onside, no matter how old. I have a Hong Kong Family Photo Session for every budget and every time consideration, from efficient Mini Sessions up to epic Documentary Sessions, where we explore Hong Kong together at a relaxed pace. And I even throw in an album.
For 20 years I’ve used the tagline “Kids Being Kids”, and honestly I’ve never come up with a better one. My favourite compliment is “That is soooooo her!”
A big part of my career as a family photographer has been creating legacies for families, documenting a huge number of kids from Toddler to Teen. Honestly when I look at the results, sometimes I can’t really believe it. While many of my photojournalist photographer friends make images that millions of people see for a few days, I realized early on that my calling was to make photos that would be special to a very small number of people for generations. Have a look at this gallery to see a few of the kids I’ve photographed basically into adulthood.
If you haven’t seen enough from this kids photographer in Hong Kong, I’ve got much more to share, have a look at my worldwide photography gallery for destination family portraits from Vancouver, Singapore, Bangkok, London, NYC, Hanoi, Budapest and many more cities around the globe.

FEEDBACK
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Ian is an amazing photographer, and he is fantastic with children!!! The pictures he took of my kids and our family are by far the best pictures we have ever had. Ian is very skilled and professional I highly recommend him!!
Tia
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Ian captures your child's personality in the greatest moments and it's amazing. He's photographed both my kids over the years. Gifted, kind and so much fun. Thank you!
Rosanne
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Ian has taken the most beautiful photos of our family over the years. He did a superb job and was so easy to work with. If you have the opportunity to work with Ian - take it! You will be grateful that you did!!
Siobhan
Scroll this Gallery to Check Out HK Family Images!








































Family Portrait Packages | From Quick Minis to Full Lifestyle Sessions
Photo Sessions With Hi-Res Files From HKD 2250
Mini Session
15-minute photo session at a beach or park. Perfect for holiday cards or a few key portraits.
Demi Session
30–40 minute session, ideal for small families esp. toddlers.
Regular Session
60-90 minute session across a wide range of locations in Kowloon, HK Island, and the New Territories. Includes an 8.5” x 11” album.
Documentary Session
Several hours exploring the city and hidden corners. Complimentary 14” x 10” coffee-table album included. My Ultimate Hong Kong Lifestyle Photography Experience!
FAQ
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Every person in the world is interesting, even a 14 month old toddler. It’s my job as a family portrait photographer to bring out that in each session.
Candid & Natural: I focus on timeless photos that capture your children’s personalities. “Kids Being Kids” still describes my philosophy perfectly.
Connecting with Kids: I chat and engage with children rather than just directing them, so they feel at ease and their natural expressions shine.
Beautiful Backgrounds: Using fast lenses, I create a shallow depth of field to blur busy Hong Kong streets and make your family stand out.
Hands-Off Parenting: To get the best results, please avoid coaching or taking photos during the session—just let me do my thing! And whatever you do, please don’t tell a kid to “say cheese!” In the entire history of photography, it hasn’t resulted in a single decent photograph!
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I price family sessions to give you great value, high-quality images, and a stress-free experience—with no pressure to buy extra products.
My per-image cost ranges from about $30 for Mini Sessions down to $12 for longer sessions. As a seasoned wedding photographer, I bring that same efficiency and experience to family sessions, so you benefit from professional-level work at a fair price.
For perspective: top wedding photographers charge $10,000+ per day with per-image costs around $30. They're capturing fast-paced moments in unpredictable light with zero margin for error. Family sessions are more relaxed, so that expertise translates to beautiful images at a transparent rate.
Unlike some newer photographers who build their business around upselling products, I focus on delivering beautiful images first. That's it.
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To ensure your Hong Kong family photo session is relaxed and enjoyable, here are a few practical tips, especially for longer shoots:
Stay Refreshed: Bring along plenty of water and some easy-to-eat snacks, particularly for the little ones.
Pack a Change of Clothes for Beach Sessions Kids often can't resist a quick dip! It's always good to have a backup for unexpected spills too.
Essential Comforts: Don't forget bug spray for outdoor locations, and wipes or tissues for quick clean-ups.
Personal Touches Welcome: My photography style isn't prop-dependent, focusing instead on genuine connections. However, if there's a special item that truly defines this stage of your child's life – a favorite toy, a comfort blanket, or even a favourite book – please feel free to include it for a portion of the session.
Simple Setup Aid: For beach or grassy park locations, a plain, neutral-colored blanket can be very useful. It provides a clean, comfortable spot for seated family shots and adds a lovely texture to the scene.
Magic for Little Ones: You can never go wrong with a bottle of bubbles!
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Short answer: Anywhere in Hong Kong for Regular and Documentary Sessions. For Mini and Demi sessions, I'm happy to work with you too, just ask.
I have plenty of go-to spots: Kowloon Park, Stanley, the Botanical Garden, Sheung Wan, and Repulse Bay Beach. I also have hidden gems for families wanting something different. And honestly? I love exploring, if you have a special spot in mind, let's talk about it.
Why location matters: Light is everything. Soft, even light creates flattering photos. A sunny beach at noon is trickier than an overcast day or drizzle. I'll guide you toward the best conditions for your family.
Group booking special: If you can get two families to book Demi Sessions or four for Minis, I'll venture further, Mui Wo, Sai Kung, Discovery Bay, your village in Tai Po. I genuinely love getting out to those spots.
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I start out by getting the full family photos, as I know those are important, especially in the fall when you are after the holiday card shot. And while everyone’s hair is still perfect!
Then I work with the kids for a while, getting some classic portraits, then we set them loose to play and really be themselves, and they have started to ignore me. This is where I really developed my signature style, such as it is. Just ‘Kids Being Kids’. (These are the shots that gained me 100,000+ followers on Facebook, back when I used to post a lot.)
Then I have you play with the kids. This gives a nice range of images, and look great in an album as they tell a bit more of a story than arriving with a shot-list and applying it to every session.
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The main thing is that the kids are happy and comfortable in their wardrobe. Avoid large logos and busy patterns.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW HERE -
Sunday Scheduling
I understand that Sunday afternoons might seem like a convenient time for family photos, but I've found that they often present unique challenges in Hong Kong.
Optimal Session Conditions: Sunday afternoons can be tricky due to larger crowds at popular locations and increased traffic, which can make getting to some of my favorite, more remote spots challenging. For the best possible experience and most beautiful photos, weekday mornings are generally the ideal time for a Hong Kong photo session. This allows for fewer crowds, and easier movement between locations.
Sunday Afternoon Availability: If you can absolutely only do a Sunday session, grab the slot ASAP as they sell out long before I start photographing.
If you are OK with a weekday session, a few weeks out we can normally find something.
Book as early in the season as possible to ensure we can easily find another slot should be get “weathered”. (Approx 5% of sessions)
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Booking All Sessions
We’ll have a quick chat by phone or email to confirm your preferred date, session type, and location. (The exact location can be finalized later.) After that, I’ll send, in order:
A short questionnaire to gather essential info about your family and session preferences
A contract for both of us to sign
An invoice
Regular & Documentary Sessions
A non-refundable retainer secures your booking.
The remaining balance is due [e.g., 7 days before your session or after the session but before photo delivery].
I’ll send a reminder as the payment date approaches.
Perfect for families in Hong Kong who want to lock in weekends or holiday dates early.
Mini & Demi Sessions
Full payment is due at booking to reserve your slot.
These sessions are non-refundable, but you may transfer your booking to another family if needed.
Ideal for busy Hong Kong parents looking for quick, hassle-free sessions.
Extra Images
After viewing your gallery, you can decide whether to purchase any additional images.
If you have questions about my payment process, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m happy to clarify.
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Hong Kong Weather & Your Session
Hong Kong’s weather can be unpredictable—but don’t worry! I’ve designed my schedule and approach to ensure we capture beautiful family photos no matter what Mother Nature decides.
Overcast = Ideal: Soft, diffused light on overcast days is perfect for portraits. It reduces harsh shadows, prevents squinting, and creates even, flattering skin tones. Unless there’s heavy, continuous rain or dangerously dark storm clouds, overcast skies are usually great for photos.
Postponements: I will only reschedule a session if the weather would seriously compromise safety or image quality—like heavy rain or very dark, stormy skies. Light drizzle, fog, or cloudy conditions usually add a beautiful, soft atmosphere and won’t stop us.
Trust My Judgment: Nobody is fusier your photos than me. I’ll never proceed if the conditions would prevent us from creating images I’m proud of.
Rescheduling & Flexibility: I keep dedicated space in my calendar for rescheduled sessions. If we need to move your date, we’ll find a new time that works for your family.
Note on Seasonal Changes: Weather has become more unpredictable in recent years, which is why I start sessions earlier in the fall—to allow flexibility for rescheduling if needed.
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This is a common question, but I always tell clients that focusing on the number isn't the right way to look at it. My focus is on the range and quality of the images.
After doing over 1000 family photo shoots in Hong Kong, I've seen everything from five to 100 photos handed over. Five isn't enough to capture your family's dynamic, and honestly, getting 100 keeper photos in one hour just isn't realistic.
My aim is to give you a gorgeous, curated set of photos that truly represent your session, covering: full family shots, combinations, single portraits, and candid moments of your family playing and interacting.
My realistic output is around one edited photo for every two minutes of shooting.
I like to compare buying photos "by weight" to choosing a buffet based only on the number of items it offers, more isn't always better! You're investing in quality, and that's exactly what you'll get.
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Worried about how your child will behave during a session? Don’t be, I’ve worked successfully with all personalities!
Shy Kids: Shyness isn’t a hurdle; it’s part of their personality. I use a calm, playful approach to help them feel safe and comfortable. Often, the most touching images come from these quiet, genuine moments.
Active Kids: High energy is an asset! I embrace movement, games, and exploration, letting their personality shine and capturing natural, joyful photos.
You can read more about my approach with shy and active children on my blog.
I’m always happy to discuss your child’s personality before the session—sharing any insights helps me prepare and connect with them even better.
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Happy to include!
Keep in mind that Hong Kong’s public spaces are limited for animals, so location options may be fewer.
Documentary sessions can include at-home shots, making it easier to capture pets as part of your family story. -
Headshot Policy
While I love capturing families, dedicated headshots require a different approach with specific lighting, posing, and backdrops.
Family sessions focus on: candid interactions, genuine emotions, and your family’s unique bond. Adding posed headshots can disrupt the flow and reduce time for these moments.
If you need professional headshots for LinkedIn, social media, or personal branding, I can create a separate session tailored just for you. Contact me to discuss your needs and see examples of my headshot work.
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Photo Selection & Gallery
Gallery Delivery: Private online gallery of lightly edited proofs within 10 business days.
Select Your Favorites: Use the gallery tool to choose your “Selects” within 10 days—galleries expire afterward (repost HKD 250).
Extra Images: Packages include a set number of edited, high-res images. Additional images: HKD 150 each. All images available, contact me for a quote. (Depends on the total number.)
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Digital Image Delivery
All final images will be delivered via a secure online gallery, where you can view, download, and share them.
Resolution & Format: High-resolution JPEGs (longest side 3500px), perfect for prints, social media, and digital devices.
Color & Editing: sRGB color profile, professionally edited to my signature style (color correction, exposure, minor retouching). Extensive edits available for an extra fee.
Number of Images: Depends on your package; see your booking agreement for details.
Delivery Timeline: Final images delivered within two weeks of your selection.
RAW Files: Not included, but can be arranged on request before the session.
Archiving: Download and back up your images promptly. Your gallery will remain active for two months, but long-term storage is not guaranteed.
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Yes, I select images to showcase my work on my website and social media. I will never use your name or precise location.
If you wish to opt out, there is a one-time fee of HKD500.
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Big Groups
I love photographing big groups—more people, more fun! Larger groups (extended families, friends, or mixed groups) usually mean more posed shots and fewer candid moments due to coordination.
To ensure a smooth session, it’s important to discuss your group’s needs in advance, especially for unrelated individuals, so we can plan the best approach.
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My retouching philosophy is centered on enhancing the natural beauty of your images, not altering them drastically.
My Approach: "True to Life" Enhancements
Every image you receive will be individually selected and professionally edited to align with my signature "True to Life" style. This includes:
Overall Adjustments: Precise adjustments to color, exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, contrast and cropping to ensure each photograph is vibrant and balanced.
Minor Blemish Removal: I'll take care of common temporary distractions, like small scratches, minor skin blemishes, or "boogers" on little ones, to ensure clean and polished portraits.
My goal is to create images that will look classic and beautiful for decades.
Advanced Retouching
For anything beyond these standard enhancements, such as:
Extensive skin smoothing or texture alteration
Significant object removal (e.g., removing large items from the background)
Adding or removing people
Complex head swaps or body modifications
Major clothing adjustments
These requests fall under advanced retouching and will be handled on a quotation basis. If you have specific complex retouching needs, please let me know, and I'll provide a separate quote after reviewing the images.
My “Look”:
Every year or two there is a new editing style that takes over a large part of the market. Some photographers follow the trend and do very well with it. You won't find heavy filters or trends in my work, as I’ve felt these can make photos feel dated. I’ve been doing this for so long that it’s the only way I can keep it consistent for so many years!
Spend a few minutes exploring my site, there are a lot of photos. That’s what my edited photos look like!
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Extra Edited Hi-Res Files @ UKD150 each. (Minimum 5)
If you would like the entire gallery, no matter how many images, contact me for a quote. It depends on the total number of images.
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Ownership & Printing
You own all your images and can print, make albums, or create wall art yourself. I provide a printing release for use at any print shop. No purchase of products is required.
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For Your Walls
I provide your high-res digital files so you can print freely, but now I also offer affordable, high-quality wall art.
It’s an easy way to display your favorite photos at home or gift them to loved ones—no custom installation required. -
Of course!
Now with my Mini and Demi Sessions, both of these are super ‘giftable’.
I will create a personalized digital coupon for the giftee family. Great holiday or b-day present for a family!
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Absolutely! Many of my clients are visiting Hong Kong and want to capture their time here with a relaxed family photoshoot. Just let me know your travel dates, and I’ll recommend the best time and location based on the light and season.
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Sorry I don’t do the ‘themed’ Mini Sessions, with Santa, a tree and gifts etc. (And I don’t do Easter Egg Mini Sessions in the spring.)
All my Mini Sessions are the same as any other session, I just aim to get some nice fun shots in good light.
I saw this excellent studio did the themed sessions in 2024, so check with them if that’s what you are after!
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Locations & Travel
I’ve photographed families in Singapore, Bangkok, Toronto, NYC, Vancouver, London, Budapest, Saigon, Phnom Penh, Hanoi, Manila, and more off-the-beaten-path spots.
If you have a location in mind or want to discuss a session in your area, please get in touch! -
Yes. I have spent many years in SEAsia and have been photographing there since the 1990s. I have full working proficiency in Thai language, and can get by in Khmer and Lao.
So if you want to do the Ultimate Family Photoshoot at Angkor Wat (where I have been dozens of times), or Southern Thailand, or Bangkok, or Luang Prabang, contact me. In Bangkok I can act as a guide as well, I know the city very well and can get you off the too-well worn tourist trail.
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Yes of course! But a better idea is to teach you and your kids photography. Kids learn much more quickly and will end up showing you. It’s scary how quickly some people learn!
I have a system of 1-2-1 sessions and remote support that will absolutely turn you into a ‘real’ photographer so you can document your family! Contact me for details.
In the meantime, here is a list of things to consider with your photography.
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Tips & Referrals
I don't expect tips, but I'd genuinely appreciate a Google or Facebook review if you loved your session. And here's the fun part—I reward referrals. When a friend you refer books a session with me, I send you a printed gift as my thank-you.