Hanoi enters autumn with afternoon weather. The air is cool, pleasant, sometimes faintly chilly, making every street corner and road strangely poetic.
Sometimes, just a familiar street corner, a favorite cup of coffee or sitting by the lake in the afternoon is enough for each person to feel a different rhythm of life in the Capital.
For many photographers, the seasonal transition period is short but opens up a "money-making" season of the year. Rows of colorful trees, ao dai and sunny streets become the backdrops that many people come to save moments.
Mr. Nguyen Phuc Lan - a freelance photographer - said that each season of the year has its own unique features, bringing different materials for creativity.
We look forward to every season, each season has its own uniqueness, its own identity, many things to create. But with autumn, not only customers, I myself am also excited, like to stroll around the autumn streets, the scenery, flowers, leaves, and grass are very beautiful," Mr. Lan said.
Not only bringing creative inspiration, autumn days also help photographers have additional income. According to Mr. Lan, Hanoi has 12 flower seasons, so the work of professionals depends somewhat on each time of year.
In the autumn, the income level is also increased, about 15-20 million VND/month. In the autumn, people tend to take outdoor photos a lot, both customers pre-order and go to the lake shore, everyone sees beautiful photos and will order. This helps photographers have more income," Mr. Lan said with a smile.
Working in the profession for 7 years, Mr. Dang Cong Su - a freelance photographer - is also looking forward to these days when the number of tourists and people coming to the central area of the Capital, especially around Hoan Kiem Lake, increases.
According to Mr. Su, to have beautiful photos, the time of day plays an important role. He pointed out two "golden hours" that photography enthusiasts can choose.
The best time to photograph Hanoi autumn has 2 golden hours. Morning from 7-9 am, afternoon from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm when sunset falls, gentle and beautiful light creates the most beautiful scenery of the day," Mr. Su shared.
While waiting for customers to contact, Mr. Su proactively went to familiar autumn locations such as Phan Dinh Phung street, the lakeside area, the Red River rocky beach, the flower meadow by Long Bien... to find more customers.
I combine both forms, while waiting for customers to pre-order, I will go to the lake to find more people who need to take photos," Mr. Su said.
Not only professionals, many young people also take advantage of each beautiful weather day to save their images in the typical space of the Capital.
Taking advantage of her free time, Ms. Nguyen Thi Han Uyen (Van Dinh, Hanoi) came to Hoan Kiem Lake area to record moments of autumn.
This time Hoan Kiem Lake is decorated with hydrangeas and colorful flowers, creating more landscape for the central area, so I want to make a mark. When I was a student, I often invited friends, but now when I go to work, the time frame is different, so I take the initiative to go. Coming here, there are many professional photographers, the price is reasonable, so I hired them. The rental price is 200,000 VND, taking photos until I am satisfied," Ms. Uyen said.
Sharing the desire to preserve the most beautiful days of the year, Ms. Le Thi Lien (Thuong Tin, Hanoi) has prepared carefully from costumes to the time of taking photos.
Instead of choosing clothes according to her usual preferences, Ms. Lien puts on a light yellow traditional ao dai, creating a graceful feeling in the city space.
I want to join the Ao Dai race many months early. At this time, taking photos is not too crowded, the weather is cool, and the rental price of costumes is much cheaper. From now until Tet, I will take more photos," Ms. Lien said with a smile.
When the last rays of the day lightly cover the trees, the flow of people still leisurely strolls around Hoan Kiem Lake. Ao dai, bouquets of flowers and cameras appear more and more on the streets.
For people and tourists, that may be a way to preserve a beautiful season of Hanoi. As for those in the profession, each day with clear skies and gentle sunshine is also an opportunity for them to both unleash their creativity and earn extra income from the very familiar moments of the Capital.
