Capturing the most candid moments

The sun beat down on the ancient stones of Beijing's Beihai Park, but Ma Zhixue barely noticed the heat.

For nearly 12 hours a day during summer, he framed through his lens not only the city's iconic landscapes but also the fleeting, authentic moments of travelers to the capital city from around the world.

"At the peak of the summer tourism season, I served up to 25 clients a day," the full-time travel photographer says.

Ma's journey into travel photography began nearly five years ago when he noticed a rising demand for such photography experience.

"More clients are requesting shoots during their travels, featuring hanfu (traditional Chinese attire), imperial-era costumes and atmospheric ancient architecture," he notes.

Locations like Beijing's Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and Beihai Park remain perennially popular for their ability to evoke China's historical grandeur, he explains.

While traditional photography tends to rely more on controlled poses and studio lighting, and landscape photographers must chase specific natural lighting, Ma pays more attention to capturing people candidly within historical settings.

"My clients range from the very young to the elderly. My goal is always the same: to create images that are genuine, spontaneous and deeply personal," he emphasizes.

A typical shoot begins well before the camera is lifted. Ma consults with clients about their preferences, suggests locations and styles, and often flips through sample albums to align each other's expectations.

During photography sessions, he avoids rigid directions and instead encourages natural interactions and movement. After a shoot, he reviews the images on-site with the clients and reshoots if necessary, ensuring everyone leaves happy.

As the summer crowds gradually thinned, a brief lull allowed Ma Zhixue to catch his breath, but not for long. The National Day holiday has seen his full packed calendar.