Taking advantage of a clear summer day, I took a trip to Ningbo. As someone who prefers quiet escapes, this inherently understated city suits me perfectly. Free from excessive clamor, its thousand-year heritage is woven effortlessly into alleys and gardens. The photo success rate here is incredible, and your whole state of mind naturally unwinds.
For this shoot, I selected an ancient-style Hanfu outfit interlaced with deep and light blue tones and detailed with white floral embroidery, paired with a sheer pale green draped scarf (pibo). To match the tranquility of Jiangnan gardens, I avoided heavy makeup, using soft pink eye shadow to add youthful delicacy and adding a subtle beauty mark on the cheek for character. The hair accessories combined blue-and-white floral clips with silver tassel hairpins. Letting the long hair flow naturally rather than tying it into an overly intricate updo allowed it to sway effortlessly in the wind. The hem features a pleated skirt with a red, blue, and white gradient that creates rich color layers when in motion.
Our first stop was Tianyige Museum. With its gray roof tiles, white walls, and rustling bamboo groves, the wooden window lattices of the ancient library pavilion make for exquisite backdrops. During the shoot, I intentionally let sunlight filter through the foliage onto me, creating dappled shadows. Walking along winding, secluded pathways, the skirt and scarf flowed naturally with each gust of wind. There is no need for stiff posing here—letting the photographer shoot in continuous burst mode captures an authentic, scholarly charm.
The second stop was Fangcaozhou in Moon Lake Park, filled with staggered pavilions and shallow, clear waters. I especially loved the clean background here; sitting on a waterside stone bench or leaning against ornamental garden rocks with weeping willows as the foreground instantly creates layered depth. Holding a small woven bamboo basket as a prop naturally solved the awkwardness of not knowing where to put my hands.
For dynamic shots, I recommend sweeping your sleeves in broad movements, making sure there is wind or moving around lightly so the gradient layers and airy texture of the skirt are captured. When looking back, tuck your chin slightly and gaze either directly at the lens or into the distance, keeping your body centered while framing the shot with garden doorframes or tree branches.
The blue tones of the outfit and the lush green of the gardens complemented each other seamlessly. Ningbo boasts deep historical roots while maintaining an understated demeanor, making it ideal for a quiet, solitary stroll. This set of photos is not only a showcase of a Hanfu outfit, but also a visual dialogue between myself and the city.