Repulse Bay Family Photos | Hong Kong Beach Photographer

South Side · Hong Kong Island

Repulse Bay is the most popular beach on Hong Kong Island — and for good reason. Over nearly 20 years of outdoor family photography in Hong Kong, it's become one of my most versatile locations. Most families picture sand and sea. What they don't realise is that from one end to the other, Repulse Bay offers more variety than almost anywhere else on the Island.

What Makes Repulse Bay Special for Family Photos

The south end has the Tin Hau Temple, the pier, and the famous Big Fish — where the kids can throw coins for good luck (harder than it looks, guaranteed to keep them busy). The north end flows into a promenade leading to Deep Water Bay, with tonnes of quieter spots along the way that most visitors never reach.

In between: open beach, sea walls, shaded walkways, and a completely different feel depending on whether we shoot at dawn or dusk, weekday or weekend.

Two Things People Get Wrong About Repulse Bay

“The beach is too crowded." Not if we time it right. On a weekday morning, the beach is often completely empty. Weekends mid-beach can get busy — so we simply don't go there. Every Repulse Bay session I run is built around where the light falls, not where the crowds are.

"We need a sunny day." Actually, the opposite is usually true. Cloud cover means soft, flattering light — far better for portraits than harsh midday sun. On overcast days, the beach empties out too. A win on both counts.

Best Time of Year for a Repulse Bay Family Photoshoot

Spring — April and May — is my top recommendation, for a few straightforward reasons:

More daylight. By mid-May there's nearly 2.5 hours more usable light than in late November. That means weekday after-work sessions starting at 5:00 PM are completely viable.
Warm enough to swim. By late spring the water is warm and the kids can splash around. Those unscripted moments always produce the best images.
Quieter booking window. Everyone scrambles in November. Book in spring and your holiday card is printed by October.
Grandparents visiting. Spring is a common time for family reunions and visiting relatives — ideal for a multi-generational session.

What to Expect at a Repulse Bay Session

Sessions typically run 60–90 minutes. I'll plan the route based on where the light is that day. We'll move through several distinct areas — temple, pier, promenade, beach — so the final gallery feels varied rather than repetitive. Bring a change of clothes if the kids might go in the water.