Collective memories

Nowadays, family portraits aren’t just taken during special holidays. When Hongkongers who have moved away return to the city, families often gather at Sammy to capture the reunion. They also take a more casual approach to their portraits. “People no longer come in formal attire. I’ve even seen families all dressed in sportswear,” Lam says.

“It’s all about showing off the personalities and interests of each family.”

Sammy Photo Studio is like a time capsule filled with countless stories of Hong Kong families. Visiting the studio for a photo shoot is like “coming home” for Lam’s regulars – some of whom he has photographed since they were infants, their growth documented by his camera lenses over decades. Visiting the studio for a portrait remains a family ritual, even if it takes a week to develop the film.

Each photo taken by Lam captures a moment of joy shared by the whole family. “A good family photo brings people together,” he says with a smile. “When I was young, we didn’t have a TV at home. During meals, we would look at the family portrait hanging in the living room, and it always brought a heart-warming feeling.”

I’m reminded of the family photo hanging in my home, taken last Chinese New Year on a whim at a photo studio. Little did I know that just months later, my grandfather would pass away. These photos hold immense significance – the moments of our family gathering, laughing and posing in the studio, are etched in my memory.

Lam describes these family photos as being “like a time machine that can transport you to the past”. And while the photos themselves may fade over time, the moments they capture remain for far longer, vividly alive. There’s no better time than the new year to take a new photo – and make a new memory.

Sammy Photo Studio, 2/F, 17 Pak Hoi Street, Yau Ma Tei