A Hong Kong-Inspired Engagement Shoot at Chinatown Supermarket in Salt Lake City
7/03/25
Some love stories don’t ask to be loud they just show up with flavor, rhythm, and a little heat. For Hailey and Logan, their love speaks in late-night noodles, plane ticket stubs, and the endless quest for the perfect chili oil. So when they asked for an engagement session inspired by Hong Kong wedding photography, we went to the aisle where it all started: Chinatown Supermarket in Salt Lake City.
Editorial. Edgy. Full of soul.
This wasn’t a session built for Instagram trends. It was made for them.
Why Chinatown Supermarket Was the Perfect Backdrop
If you’re from Salt Lake, you’ve likely wandered the vibrant maze of Chinatown Supermarket. It’s loud in the best way colorful packaging, glowing seafood tanks, neon noodle signs, and aisles stacked with stories.
For Hailey and Logan, it wasn’t just a setting it was a love letter to the ordinary places that hold their extraordinary moments. The places where they laugh over snacks, argue about spice levels, and sneak kisses between shelves.
Visually, it gave us:
- Bold colors
- Graphic backdrops
- Harsh lighting turned high fashion
- A scene that felt pulled straight from a Wong Kar-wai film
When Style Meets Story
As a photographer rooted in editorial storytelling, I’m always chasing the overlap between direction and emotion, fashion and feeling.
Hailey wore a vintage-inspired satin mini dress with sheer tights and a veil soft, strong, and totally herself. Logan showed up with an all-black look and that quiet cool energy that made every frame feel balanced. Together, they embodied the exact kind of couple I love to photograph: stylish, playful, and completely present.
This shoot was made up of contrasts:
- Sour candy and sweet kisses
- Arcade neon and quiet moments
- Hot sauce and soft light
- Romance and rebellion
For the Couples Who Break the Mold
This isn’t for everyone and that’s the point. Hailey and Logan didn’t want a field. They didn’t want a Pinterest-perfect golden-hour glow. They wanted their engagement photos to feel like a film still, a love letter, a memory with bite.
If you’re the kind of couple who:
- Spends hours in Asian grocery stores dreaming up dinner
- Books flights based on what food you miss
- Laughs in weird places and kisses in weirder ones
- Thinks love should feel cinematic, not curated
Then let’s create something that’s yours.
Planning Your Own Nontraditional Engagement Session in Utah?
From Chinatown to a corner café, your shoot doesn’t have to be traditional to be timeless. It just has to feel real. I offer guidance every step of the way—from styling to location to posing that feels effortless and elevated.
If you’re inspired by:
- Hong Kong-style wedding photos
- Creative editorial storytelling
- Non-traditional locations with emotional weight
- Intentional imagery with color, soul and style
…I’d be honored to document your story.
📍Based in Salt Lake City. Available anywhere.
Inquire here to plan your own offbeat, beautiful session.
