Of all the creative innovations that have been discovered over the history of mankind, the camera is one of the best blessings — especially to families as they grow from couples to having children and grand children. One such family from eastern China has made an extremely unforgettable use of the camera!
This dad and daughter duo began their yearly photo-shoot in 1980, beside the lake in Zhenjiang, a city in eastern China’s Jiangsu province.
Hua Yunqing, now a 62-year-old loving dad, liked the picture and the scenic beauty of the spot so much, that he decided to go back to the same place and repeat the same pose and photograph — year after year. His daughter Huahua, now 36, was just an adorable one-year-old when this amazing photo journey began.
Little did he realize, he was initiating a long-term family tradition.
Over the following 35 years, Hua accompanied by his daughter Huahua, would take the same shot every year. This tradition, unwittingly begun by the father-daughter team, has created a beautiful portfolio of a little girl growing up to be a woman of 36, and a mother of two; and also, a father, growing from a young man into an ageing grand-dad.
Of course the scenery around them has also weathered with the effect of time.
The very first photo of the lot of Hua and Huahua taken in 1980.
“I didn’t have any thought of doing the same thing again but when I got the photo back, I liked it so much that when we went back the next year I repeated it,” Hua Yunqing said, according to the Daily Mail.
During the 35 years of taking pictures, this routine was missed just once, in 1998, when the daughter could not accompany the family and missed the annual ritual of visiting the family’s favorite lake.
“After that it became sort of the family tradition and we did it every year with only one break in 1998 when my daughter did not join us for the family holiday and was abroad.”
Hua liked the picture so much that he insisted on returning to the spot each year to reenact the scene. Huahua smiles at the age of two (left) and mimics her father’s pose at three (right).
Each year the father and daughter visit the same lake in Zhenjiang, a city in eastern China’s Jiangsu province.
Each photo sees the pair adopt a slightly different pose. Huahua seems a little shy in 1985 (left), while the father-daughter duo don their swimsuits and a confident smile in 1986 (right).
Besides showing the pair getting older, the pictures also portray the changing fashion that the duo adopt. Huahua wears a girly white dress at the age of eight (left). Just a year later she wears her hair longer and has opted for a smarter outfit (right).
The pair wears matching sandals on this hot day at the lake in 1989, and Hua looks absolutely at ease with his casual outfit.
At the turn of the decade Huahua beams at the camera at the age of 11, looking tall and lanky. The lush greenery in the background is now filled with water.
The father and daughter decide on matching poses in 1991 (left) and in 1992 (right) they look more calm and composed.
As she gets into her teens, Huahua’s style again changes from girly (left) to sporty (right). Do notice the barricade built behind them, holding the water back.
In 1995, Huahua, now aged 16, is a typical teenager with braces and glasses, while her father shows her off proudly; the cemented tiled, pavement is not to be missed.
At 17 (left), Huahua begins to look more mature, and a year later has a very confident look, while the father refuses to age.
In 1998 Huahua did not join the family on holiday but in 1999 she’s clearly developing her own style at the age of 20.
At the start of the Millennium, Huahua adopts a classic hairstyle and is now ready to wear nail polish and bracelets.
Just one year on (left) Huahua again changes her hairstyle and the father definitely looks older; in 2002 (right) the duo strike an absolutely classy pose in their casual jeans.
At 24 Huahua looks elegant and ladylike (left) and carries a designer handbag, a style she carries through to the following year.
But the following year Huahua is back to being more casual as she and her father stand beaming by the lake.
Hua seems to have picked up a professional camera and a holiday mood in 2006 (left) and a year later they seem to be more formal in this pose, both definitely looking more mature.
In 2008, Huahua’s first daughter (left) adds on as an additional member to the annual photo ritual, while in 2009, mama now needs a larger bag to hold the child’s knickknacks.
2010 sees Hua’s first grandchild, soon becoming the center of attention of their annual photo.
By 2011 (left) Huahua’s daughter displaying the same shyness as her mother did when she was this old; and in 2012 (right) they are now four.
Two years ago, with grandpa and momma, certainly looking more mature (left), and in their latest snap, Huahua continuing to pick up latest fashion trends, while her daughters wear matching outfits.
Well, it is never too late; you too can start a family tradition along these lines — indeed a beautiful memory worth millions!
This story was originally published on the Daily Mail.
