\"Happiness is not something you experience, it is something you remember. \"
—— Oscar Levant
A Traveling Couple’s Love Story: Framed by Beijing Summer Palace
For Rebecca & Tyler, a globetrotting American couple based in LA, every city is a new chapter in their love story. Their ritual? Finding the soul of a place through authentic, unscripted moments—especially in iconic spots like Beijing’s Summer Palace. When Rebecca (who also happens to be a photographer!) reached out me two months before their trip, I knew this session would be more than just photos—it would be a collaboration between storytellers.
Why the Summer Palace?A Historical Canvas for Intimate Moments
The Summer Palace isn’t just a UNESCO site—it’s a living theater of ancient pavilions, willow-lined lakes, and hidden corners that whisper history. For Rebecca & Tyler, it represented Beijing’s heart—a place where nature and imperial grandeur collide. As a documentary photographer specializing in travel-inspired love stories, I focused on three iconic spots that mirrored their dynamic:
The Mystique of Sìdà Bùzhōu (四大部洲) “Let’s walk like we’re discovering this for the first time,” Rebecca said. We wandered the Tibetan-style stupas at dawn, capturing stolen glances and laughter as sunlight hit the golden roofs.
Romance at Huàyóu Zhāi (画中游) This hilltop pavilion, framed by carved wooden windows, became their “secret hideout.” I knelt low to shoot Tyler tucking a stray hair behind Rebecca’s ear, with Kunming Lake glimmering in the distance—a candid moment that felt like a page from their travel journal.
Whispers in Xiéqù Yuán (谐趣园) The “Garden of Harmonious Interests”’s zigzag bridges and koi ponds inspired playful moments: Rebecca splashed water at Tyler, and he spun her around under a 200-year-old ginkgo. These are the unposed shots travelers crave—full of motion and emotion.
📸 Why documentary photography？For Travelers Who Hate Stiff Poses
Rebecca’s request was clear: “No cheesy poses. Just us, in this place, feeling alive.” That’s where my approach as a destination documentary photographer shines. Instead of scripts, I followed their rhythm—pausing when they stopped to read a plaque, laughing with them as they debated which bridge to cross next.
Pro Tip for Travelers: Wear what you’d explore in. Rebecca’s vintage linen dress and Tyler’s beaten leather jacket weren’t just “outfits”—they were part of their story.
“These Photos Feel Like Our Journey, Not Just a Photoshoot”
What made this session unforgettable? Rebecca’s insider perspective as a photographer. She trusted me to anticipate moments—like when Tyler surprised her with a peach popsicle from a lakeside vendor—and I trusted her to lead with curiosity. The result? A gallery of photos that live beyond Instagram—they’re souvenirs of a shared adventure.
“You captured the energy of this place,” Rebecca said afterward. “Now every time we look at these, we’ll remember the breeze, the incense, even the sound of the rickshaw bells.”
Your Love Story Deserves a Beijing Chapter
If you’re a traveler (or traveler-at-heart) seeking authentic, unscripted photos in Beijing’s most iconic spots—whether it’s the Summer Palace, Hutongs, or a hidden tea garden—let’s craft something unique.
👉 Ready to turn your journey into art?
See how excited Rebecca is to see these photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFGGTP-vEUu/?igsh=MW94a3czbXQyYXJj
