Wei Wei crops photos at Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025.
Agan Photo Studio was established in 1972. The studio's large-format camera has not only captured the smiles of workers of state-owned coal mines from the old days but also preserved precious moments for tourists from across the country nowadays.
Wei Wei, 44, serves as the studio's photographer. His father, Wei Jiexiong, began working at the same studio in 1974. At that time, photographers from the studio were often invited to take photos during festivals or celebrations in town. At the busiest period, Wei Jiexiong would start at seven in the morning and work until late at night.
Wei Wei spent his childhood in the studio with his father. He recalled, "My father would shoot and print more than 100 photos on a busy working day. I assisted him and sometimes even took and printed photos on my own. I want to record those precious moments here just like my father did."
Wei Wei took over the studio after his father passed away in 2024, preserving the shared passion of two generations and the stories sealed within monochromatic frames.
In recent years, Agan Photo Studio gained popularity on social media, attracting numerous tourists who come to document their memories. The studio has not only preserved the fondest memories for the town's residents but also borne witness to social development and transformation. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
Wei Wei (1st R) prepares to take a family portrait for tourists from Xi'an at Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
Wei Wei stands in front of Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
An aerial drone photo taken on July 29, 2025 shows the Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
Wei Wei (1st R) prepares to take a family portrait for tourists from Xi'an at Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
Wei Wei develops photos at the darkroom of Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
Wei Wei (1st R) prepares to take a family portrait for tourists from Xi'an at Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
Wei Wei (2nd L) prepares to take a family portrait for tourists from Xi'an with a large-format camera at Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
Wei Wei prepares to take a family portrait for tourists from Xi'an at Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
Wei Wei examines a negative film at Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
Wei Wei packs photos and prepares to mail them to customers at Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
A tourist walks past a wall of photos at Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
Wei Wei packs photos and prepares to mail them to customers at Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
Wei Wei develops photos at the darkroom of Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
Wei Jiexiong examines a photo at the darkroom of Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Fang Xin)
Wei Wei introduces a large-format camera at Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
Wei Wei (1st R) prepares to take a family portrait for tourists from Xi'an at Agan Photo Studio in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
