GSIS Christmas Bazaar, Hong Kong
This past December, for the second year running, I was the volunteer photographer for the GSIS Christmas Bazaar. (That’s the German Swiss School at The Peak in Hong Kong for those of you who don’t know.)
I have shot a bunch of Fall Fairs at International Schools around Hong Kong. They are completely packed and somewhat chaotic from a photographer’s perspective. I like ‘dense’ events, there is just so much to photograph: kids, parents, families, activities, staff and on and on. This past year it was a bit tricky for family photography as the sun was blazing overhead, so the lighting wasn’t that flattering. As always, I got what I got. The previous year, 2023, the photos were much better as we had an overcast day, so the light was just ridiculously perfect. (But I can’t display those photos as there were no photo releases done last year.)
What GSIS does have however, is the greatest gymnasium I’ve ever photographed in. As a school photographer, I have worked in a huge number of gyms in Hong Kong, China and Canada. They are notoriously difficult to work in as they have ancient orange lighting. GSIS gym has massive windows, bathing the entire place in perfect natural light. Makes the whole process so much easier.
I got some nice shots, which I am now giving the hi-res to the parents. Too many times we photograph these events and the results go unseen. Everyone appreciates receiving family photos. As always, my shots are a mix of candids and portraits. If you are a GSIS parent check the gallery below, or fire me a message if you would like to see the private gallery of 200+ images I have available for parents.
But of course the best thing about the GSIS Christmas Bazaar is that they serve beer! (And as it’s German, it’s actually great beer.) At first I was a bit surprised to see seniors having a pint, but it is actually a very normal thing. Nobody is drunk, just social.
To this Canadian photographer, the GSIS Xmas bazaar feels like Oktoberfest crossed with a giant playdate on top of a mountain with a crazy view.
Great light in the GSIS Hong Kong gymnasium.
Ian Taylor, Family Photographer in Hong Kong
