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Sichuan's summer sizzles with both rising temperatures and booming cultural tourism. From the IFS "I AM HERE" Panda sculpture to the flagstone paths of Kuanzhai Alley and the Chengdu Wall at Eastern Suburb Memory, travel photographers are capturing tourists' moments through their lenses, fueling a vibrant street photography market that has become a new engine driving cultural tourism consumption. Recently, the reporter visited multiple popular attractions in Chengdu to investigate the current state of travel photography services.

Diverse Street Travel Photography Services:

From Location-Specific Snapshots to Cultural Costume Rentals

On the afternoon of August 12, the reporter observed tourists queuing under the iconic "I AM HERE" panda sculpture at Chengdu IFS despite scorching temperatures, all for that perfect landmark photo.

"At IFS, a one-hour photoshoot at this spot costs around 200 yuan, including retouched photos," says photographer Chen Qing, who had just finished a session. "For a two-hour package covering the Chunxi Road business district, the rate is 300–400 yuan." With two years of street photography experience, Chen relies on walk-up clients and referrals, adding, "I typically book two to three sessions daily, earning roughly 500 yuan on average."

The reporter noted several other "freelance photographers" like Chen Qing on-site, who proactively scout optimal angles for their clients. Yet with the surrounding mall area teeming with crowds, frequent "traffic jams" occur as photographers jostle to secure prime shooting spots.

The reporter also came to Kuanzhai Alley, where photographer Xiao Yang was directing a qipao-clad visitor through pose adjustments. Unlike location-specific photography, Xiao Yang's service bundle includes costume rentals. "We provide qipao, Hanfu, and other traditional outfits—combined with styling and a photoshoot, the full package runs at 100–150 yuan," he explains. With three years of experience, Xiao Yang has honed his client acquisition strategy. "We partner with costume shops in Kuanzhai Alley, schedule shoots during off-peak hours to ensure quality photos without disrupting sightseeing, and handle four to five client groups daily," he shares.

Additional Retouching Fees and Uncertified Operators

Lack of Industry Standards in Travel Photography Sector

Travel photography and track-up shot services have boomed in recent years, expanding from urban fashion districts to historic alleys, featuring iconic styles like Suzhou qipao, Dunhuang flying apsaras, Quanzhou zanhua floral hairpins, and Xi'an Hanfu. While fueling cultural tourism growth, this rapid expansion has brought problematic practices, such as spot monopolization, price gouging, and forced upsells, which are now drawing consumer concerns.

"While the shoot was fun, the surprise charges for photo retouching are far beyond what I expected," said Ms. Chen, a tourist who had just finished her session at IFS. "They only told me after shooting that each extra retouched photo would cost 20 yuan, leaving me a sour taste." "Had no idea this spot was so popular—been queuing 30 minutes, and my photographer won't come until I'm next in line," complained Jiajia, waiting at the Chengdu Wall in Eastern Suburb Memory.

Our investigation reveals Chengdu's street photography and track-up shot sector operates in a fragmented, small-scale model, dominated by freelance shooters and micro-studios with rates ranging from tens to thousands of yuan. Meanwhile, problems like inconsistent service standards and verbal-only pricing agreements—from hourly rates to full-day packages—create significant consumer protection challenges when disputes arise. Many photoshoots advertise "no hidden fees", yet tourists often report final costs far exceeding their expectations after the shoot.

When asked about professional credentials, Chen Qing paused briefly: "There's no specific license for travel photography yet—we rely mostly on experience and word-of-mouth reputation." Xiao Yang, who partners with Kuanzhai Alley costume shops, notes: "Our collaboration with licensed stores—all with industrial and commercial registration and business licenses—provides at least some accountability." The sector's blurred entry barriers, lack of standardized regulations, and influx of freelance photographers have exponentially complicated oversight efforts.

Market Demand vs Barbaric Growth

Need to Balance Regulation and Vitality

Industry insiders note that with upgraded cultural tourism consumption, travel photography has evolved from a "niche experience" to a "mass demand". In Chengdu, a top tourist destination, the rise of street photography reflects both market forces and travelers' growing pursuit of in-depth cultural experiences.

To address industry challenges, multiple destinations are pioneering innovative governance approaches, striving to optimize the balance between tourist experiences, commercial vitality, and public order. Hongcun Village in Anhui has established no-photography zones and regulated areas, required studios to pledge compliance, issued official photography licenses, and promptly intervened in cases of unlicensed photography. Meanwhile, Hangzhou's West Lake innovates with a "Golden Hour" management plan—morning access slots for professional photography.

As the summer travel peak fuels surging demand for photography services across Sichuan, industry experts emphasize the urgent need to clarify regulatory jurisdiction and enforcement protocols. Work should be done to strike a balance between market regulation and entrepreneurial vitality, such as establishing professional certification standards, implementing transparent pricing mechanisms, and designating official shooting zones, which may hold the key to ensuring this photography-related business develops more steadily.