Stanley Family Photos | Outdoor Family Photographer Hong Kong

South Side · Hong Kong Island Family Portraits

Ask me to name my favourite South Side location and Stanley is always in the conversation. Murray House, the pier, the old temples, the laneways, the rocks — there's more variety for a family photoshoot in Hong Kong packed into this small area than almost anywhere else on the Island. I've been shooting here for nearly 20 years and I genuinely never get bored of it. I am a regular on the #40 Minibus from Causeway Bay!

Stanley is also one of the best spots in Hong Kong for pet photography. The South Side is genuinely dog-friendly — relaxed atmosphere, open space, and locals who are completely used to seeing dogs on the promenade. If you're thinking about combining pet photography in Hong Kong with a family session, this is the natural choice.

What We Photograph in Stanley

Murray House is the obvious anchor — the old colonial building relocated piece by piece from Central gives a completely different architectural backdrop to anything else on the South Side. It photographs beautifully in the late afternoon.

The pier and waterfront work well for relaxed, wide shots — kids running, families walking, the harbour as a backdrop. Unpressured and natural.

Stanley Beach itself is a seriously underrated strip of beautiful sand on the west side of town.

The temples add texture and colour. One has an actual tiger skin inside, which buys a solid ten minutes of fascinated kids right when you need it most.

The rocks at the northern end are one of my favourite features anywhere in Hong Kong. The scale, the texture, and the light make for a completely different look from the beach shots.

Perfect for a a Hong Kong pet photography session, the South Side is super dog-friendly.

The laneways behind the main street are quiet and characterful — cobblestones, old signage, interesting shadows. Great for portraits that feel more intimate.

Best Time for a Stanley Family Photoshoot

Spring and mid-fall are the obvious calls — late afternoon, when the crowds thin and the light warms up. If you can only do a weekend, Saturday morning before the market gets busy is worth considering. Either way, we plan around the light rather than the clock, so sessions flex based on what the sky is doing that day.

The Two-Location Option

Stanley pairs beautifully with Chung Hom Kok Beach, which is only a few minutes away. Beach first, then the architecture and laneways of Stanley, two completely different visual environments in a single extended session. One of my most popular format combinations on the South Side.