Going with the flow in the studio

Trip Start Jun 03, 2006
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Trip End Ongoing


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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

It is something of an unquestioned tradition - like almost all others in China - that newly married couples will visit the photography studio, get dressed up in all manner of garb and fork out a not insubstantial sum for albums, framed photographs and various other photographically related nick-nacks.  After the choice of studio and package came a trip to decide which costumes we would wear.  The reaction to my choice from the studio was that we'd have to sign a disclaimer if I didn't wear a white suit - I mean, come on guys, this isn't the 1970's! I am not ever going to be wearing a white suit for my wedding pics! Of course, for those familiar with China, you understand that the white suit itself is not the issue, it's just the means to a power kick from control and authority which passes for a service industry here.
 
Poor Michelle had an inkling of what was coming, but there was no way I was going to pay to be told what to wear and then to be pushed around like some performing monkey Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
 . Nonetheless, she did remark that I was the one who was more relaxed about the whole process of choosing outfits.  That said, it was not without some trepidation that I embarked upon a day in the studio.
 
Things couldn't really have got off to a worse start either: we'd been shown the smart changing rooms and lockers beforehand, but little had it occurred to us that they wouldn't actually have a rail or hangers on which to put our clothes. There followed one of those, "I don't really believe I'm having this conversation," kind of arguments that often occurs in China where absolutely everyone refuses to take responsibility for anything to do with customer service. I was left shaking my head and being made to feel that their inadequacy was somehow my fault. It was on a bathroom break to temporarily withdraw from this insanity that I made the fateful decision, "the only way you're going to have a pleasant day and be in a good enough mood to give Michelle the pictures she wants is to go with the flow." Adherence to the path of least resistance is the way China works, love it or loathe it. The next words I heard were, "it's time to put on your make up, and we need to trim your eyebrows." I wanted to scream, but what could I do...go with the flow!
 
The results of the day in and out of the studio and in the park with its beautiful concrete high-rise and motorway overpass backdrop are here for you all to see. It was an experience, and don't let anyone ever tell you that being a model is easy. It's bloomin' hard work, not only because of the waiting around, but also the smiling to order, and trying to look and stay fresh are seriously tough.
 
Was it worth it? Yes! Would I do it again? Not if I can avoid it!! And no, I didn't wear the white suit.
 
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