As the spring season brought warm light and new growth to Chengdu, I had the chance to work on a portrait session that blended both nature and intimacy. With my model Kristen, we explored two very different yet complementary settings: the peaceful QingLongHu Park in the east of the city, and a cozy apartment studio thoughtfully arranged for soft indoor photography.
Nature and Emotion at QingLongHu Park
Spring at QingLongHu means a carpet of leaves, filtered sunlight, and quiet corners where time seems to pause. Kristen, dressed in a simple white top and soft blue jeans, moved effortlessly through the landscape. One moment, she was seated on the forest floor, holding a fallen leaf close to her face — a soft, contemplative pose that matched the mood of the season. In another shot, she lies on the green grass with her eyes closed and arms behind her head, perfectly still in a peaceful, almost meditative moment.
In one of my favorite outdoor portraits, Kristen stands amidst the forest, dappled light catching in her hair as she raises her arm gently toward the viewer. These images were about stillness and connection — between body and nature, movement and quiet.
Studio Stories and Shadows
Back in the apartment studio, the atmosphere shifted. Here, the light was sharper, more dramatic. A spotlight illuminated Kristen as she sat in front of window blinds, her long dark hair catching the light as shadows played across her face and the room.
One particularly striking photo featured a shadow of a fish cast across her face — an abstract and poetic moment that added depth and intrigue to the composition. Another indoor scene captured her beside a wooden harmonium, dressed in a white dress with green floral prints, holding a small fruit near her lips. The combination of the vintage instrument and soft fabric gave the scene a nostalgic, almost cinematic quality.
Later, Kristen was partially obscured behind a curtain of green beads, offering a quiet, mysterious look through the strands — the kind of image that invites curiosity without needing to explain itself.
In another room, glowing fish illuminated an aquarium behind her as she gazed thoughtfully into the tank. Dressed in traditional clothing, Kristen seemed lost in a calm, reflective world of color and light.
Conclusion
This portrait session with Kristen was a perfect balance of natural beauty and composed elegance. Whether in the soft sunlight of QingLongHu Park or the moody shadows of the indoor studio, each photo told a story of serenity, presence, and subtle emotion.
Through these images, I wanted to explore how a model’s mood, setting, and body language can shift between open landscapes and intimate interiors — and how, in both, beauty can be found in stillness.
Location : QingLongHu park, Chengdu
Camera :
• Nikon Z5
Lens :
• Nikon 24-120mm Z f/4
You can order prints on my Prints page or by clicking the photos and the purchase link for my Getty Images exclusive photos and then choose “Buy the print”.
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