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Its once-proud portrait photography business declined quickly, and to add insult to injury, the studio had to make ends meet by processing photos for Taiwanese photo studios.

An accidental call halted the decline.

Inspired by a 90-year-old Chinese American woman's call asking if the studio could still take a family photo for her family, Zhang decided to launch a special offer for old customers.

It allowed any couple who took their wedding photos at Renmin before 1989 to have a free portrait session again.

There was great enthusiasm among People Photo's old clients, and many of them referred their sons, daughters, or even grandchildren to have their wedding photos taken by Renmin.

Now its photography business is booming again, Zhang says.

"We want to carry on this business of classic photography, but time is against us. In another two to three years, most of the old employees in the studio will retire," says Zhang.

Contact the writer at wang_ying@chinadaily.com.cn

if you go

Renmin Photo

Address: No 7, 225 Lane, Julu Road

巨鹿路225弄7號

Telephone: 021-6385-0215