Qingdao is for Lovers

Visiting Qingdao for the first time I was overwhelmed by some of the unique qualities of this city compared to others in Mainland China. European style architecture influenced by the 1898-1914 German occupation, as well as a large population of Korean and Japanese immigrants give this seaside city with a flavor all of its own. Strolling through the scenic locations it's hard to avoid engagement and bridal photo shoots in every corner of Qingdao, with many spots flooded with photographers, make up artists and of course brides, grooms, and wedding parties all dressed in white. Amazingly everyone courtesly worked around each other, and managed to find a space to do each photoshoot without arguement or discussion. In America I could just imagine the turf wars that might emerge if photo locations were even half as crowded. These images give a glimpse into the Qingdao bridal photo world, which is thriving day in and out all year round. (J)

 

John Rash

John Rash is a filmmaker, photographer, and visual artist based in Oxford, Mississippi. John earned his M.F.A. in Documentary and Experimental Art from Duke University and B.F.A. in Art Education from UNC-Greensboro, and now works as Assistant Professor of Film Production and Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi. His documentary films and photographs often focus on topics of identity, counter-culture communities, social justice, and environment and have been shown in festivals and museums around the world. John has received multiple awards for his documentary works including the Soul of Southern Film Award from Indie Memphis Film Festival for Negro Terror, History+ Best Documentary Award from the North Carolina Museum of History for Our Movement Starts Here, and an Emmy nomination for his film about South Carolina-based photographer Sam Wang. John is also the founder of the Southern Punk Archive which aims to preserve the stories of DIY punk communities in the American South. In 2025, John was an Artist in Residence at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai and a resident artist at Crosstown Arts in Memphis, TN in 2022.

https://www.johnrash.com
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One Night in Taipei