Modern standards of beauty have become homogenized, with makeup and editing methods based on similar models. That's partly because people cannot accept the signs of aging or wrinkles in their faces, he said. Despite that, Wang has never ceased his quest for capturing real beauty. Graduating from the era of black-and-white photography to the age of color photographs and digital devices, he continues to seek and capture genuine moments on his camera.
The prevalence of modern studios, digital cameras and mobile phones has not affected the popularity of the old-fashioned China Photo Studio. During Spring Festival, in particular, people have to make reservations and even line up outside the China Photo Studio to take family photographs, Wang said. "It is a sort of ritual.
"We can't take a break even on Lunar New Year's day. Although I'm quite busy, I feel fulfilled capturing the smile and heartwarming moments of families." In the 36 years of his professional life, Wang has shot more than 1 million photographs. "I always remember what my teacher told me: 'Photography is a service industry rooted in culture and art'."
Wang's diligence won him a model worker of Beijing award in 2020.
Among his many memorable experiences, Wang recalls, is clicking the photographs of the family of Guo Chuan, the famous Chinese solo sailor who is thought to have fallen overboard while sailing in the high seas in 2016.
After the tragic incident, Guo's wife and their children visit the studio every year to take a set of photographs. The two boys always wear blue-colored shirts because, Wang was told, blue is the color of the ocean, and this is the way they want to remember their father. "They grow taller every year," Wang said, adding that through the photographs, Wang sees the growth of Guo's children and their love for their father.
"Many people come to our studio at important moments of their lives," he said, adding that his job is both interesting and meaningful. Wang's passion for photography is still as strong as it was 36 years ago. It is a continuous journey of self-improvement, he said. "I often asked myself, 'How could I have taken this photograph better? How can I make the person look more beautiful?'"
As Wang said, dealing with people from different backgrounds allows him to learn something new almost every time. "Being able to realize my own ideas in photography and translate them into better photographs for my clients has always been fascinating for me," he said.
