I still remember my first impressions of Hong Kong. The density, the vertical layers, the constant movement all felt immediate. There was no easing into it. It surrounded you, and that energy stayed with me from the start.
This shoot with Meko unfolded right in the middle of that feeling, and it was one of my first times photographing in the city. From the beginning, I saw Hong Kong as something that could deepen the narrative without overpowering it. It brought texture, atmosphere, and tension, while the focus remained on the editorial itself.
Meko had a natural presence that never felt forced. She brought her own personality into every frame, and that gave the editorial its life. The Bach Mai dress added shape and movement, while the city settled around her in a supporting role. Together, they created the story.
Tai Kwun Photoshoot Location in Hong Kong
We began at Tai Kwun, one of Hong Kong’s major cultural and heritage centers. Knowing that it once served as the city’s main police headquarters gave the space a distinct emotional weight from the start.
In the Parade Ground courtyard, we photographed with the JC Contemporary building in the background and Alicja Kwade’s Waiting Pavilions surrounding us. The glass brick structures felt beautiful, but also unsettling. They appeared transparent and open, yet still suggested barriers. That tension became part of the visual language of the shoot.
As I photographed Meko there, what stood out was how naturally she responded to the space. She did not try to overpower it. She allowed the environment to shape the way she moved, looked, and held herself. The reflections, partial views, and layered surfaces gave the images a more psychological, interior quality.
Victoria Prison Staircases and Editorial Mood
We also photographed in the circulation staircases of the former Victoria Prison blocks. That part of Tai Kwun carried a very different energy. The black railings, tight angles, and stacked levels created a strong sense of control and visibility.
Those staircases shifted the tone of the shoot immediately. Meko became more deliberate in her movement. Her body language felt sharper, more contained, more aware. I appreciated that shift because it did not feel staged. It felt like a direct response to the architecture around her.
Bach Mai Babydoll Dress in Two Different Worlds
We had planned to feature multiple designs, but once Meko put on the Babydoll dress by Bach Mai, that plan disappeared. The dress simply felt right. It fit her beautifully and worked seamlessly with both the hair and makeup.
At Tai Kwun, the dress created contrast. Its softness and movement pushed against the rigid, controlled feeling of the architecture. The shimmer of the fabric caught the light in the glass structures and introduced a sense of life into spaces defined by restraint.
Later, in Central, the same dress shifted again. It no longer felt like contrast. It felt integrated into the city. That is what I appreciated most. It could hold softness and structure at the same time.
Central Hong Kong and Bamboo Scaffolding
After leaving Tai Kwun, we continued into Central and let the city guide us. We photographed in side streets and stair lanes that felt distinctly Hong Kong, especially with the bamboo scaffolding rising around us.
Bamboo scaffolding is one of those details that defines the city visually. It wraps around dense buildings and irregular facades in a way that feels practical, flexible, and deeply connected to Hong Kong. In the images, it introduced a warmer, more raw texture compared to Tai Kwun.
That shift in environment brought a shift in energy. Meko felt more open, more observational, more in dialogue with the city. The dress adapted with her. It still felt elegant, but now also grounded in the street.
Working With Meko Cheung
I was grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Meko on this project. Looking through the images, what stands out is her quiet control. She never forces anything. She builds each frame from within the space.
In the glass structures, she brought tension and curiosity. In the staircases, strength and precision. In the streets, softness without losing presence. That range gave the shoot its emotional shape.
How Hair and Makeup Shape an Editorial Shoot
I also want to thank Meko for bringing together such a strong team. SparrowDiXiT on hair and Heidi Vong on makeup helped define the visual identity of the shoot from the beginning.
Hair and makeup do more than complete a look. They establish mood, support the wardrobe, and create continuity across different locations. The sleek hair and refined makeup gave the story cohesion, whether we were surrounded by glass, iron staircases, bamboo scaffolding, or narrow city streets.
Watching SparrowDiXiT and Heidi work on Meko at the same time was one of my favorite moments. It was a reminder that photography begins long before the camera is raised. It starts with collaboration, trust, and a shared vision.
Credits
Model: Meko Cheung
Hair Stylist: SparrowDiXiT
Makeup Artist: Heidi Vong
Dress: Bach Mai
Photography: Paul Tocatlian
For brands, designers, models, and other creatives looking to create inspiring imagery, let’s connect. From fashion editorials to runway coverage to publishing your work, let’s explore how fashion and storytelling intersect, and where your next project might lead.
THE INTERVIEW
To go deeper into the story behind the images, I spoke with Meko, Heidi, and Sparrow about their creative journeys, the way they approach their work, and what made this Hong Kong shoot feel so meaningful.
Meko, how did modeling first come into your life?
For me, modeling began as a career opportunity in 2023. I had been going to castings here and there, and then, almost unexpectedly, I was cast in a major Uber taxi ad. That was the moment things started to shift for me. What truly confirmed it, though, was the way I feel when the camera is on me. In everyday life, I am actually quite shy and introverted, but once I am shooting, that all fades away. I become more confident, present, and expressive. It feels like I am able to show a side of myself that does not usually come out.
Heidi, what first drew you to makeup?
I enjoy working with people, and I find great satisfaction in doing their makeup.
Sparrow, can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your work?
Hello, I am Sparrow. I have experience in hair, makeup, and management, with thirteen years of industry experience overseeing backstage teams and production. I am dedicated to leading and directing this work with care and intention.
Meko, what do you hope your photographs reveal about you?
I want my photos to show my range. I can be soft and subtle, but I can also bring energy and presence when the shoot calls for it.
Heidi, what do you love most about your work?
I love seeing clients become more and more beautiful, step by step.
Sparrow, what led you from makeup into hairstyling?
Initially, I was actually a makeup artist. During my school years, most of my classmates enjoyed makeup, but very few of them liked hairstyling. Since I have always enjoyed learning different things, and I found hairstyling fun and interesting, my teacher felt I had potential in that area. Gradually, I became a hairstylist.
Meko, how do you make a pose feel natural and alive?
Static poses can easily look stiff. Very often, the most natural moment happens in between the held poses. That is why I like to use movement to flow into a pose instead of simply holding one. I also try to begin with a feeling, a mood, or a story. Once I connect with that emotion, my body naturally finds a position that feels believable. At that point, the pose becomes an expression of the feeling rather than just a shape.
Heidi, how do you create a strong makeup look while still preserving someone’s individuality?
I try not to over adjust a client’s facial features. Preserving their unique characteristics makes them appear more sophisticated.
Sparrow, how do you use hair to shape the mood or visual story of an image?
I like to use different hair textures to create different effects, such as super dry, wet, semi dry, super smooth, or hair that looks lightly moved by a breeze. Texture can completely change the feeling of an image.
Meko, what feels most different to you between modeling and dancing?
With dancing, the audience is right there in front of me, and I receive immediate feedback through their reactions, their gaze, and their applause. With modeling, there is no instant response like that, so I have to trust myself and believe that what I am giving to the camera is enough.
Heidi, what kinds of projects do you feel most connected to?
I love makeup artistry most because it allows me to express what I want to say.
Sparrow, what kind of creative work feels most natural to you?
What I enjoy most is commercial work, especially when clients are willing to give me the freedom to explore different creative directions, such as HYPEBEAST.
Meko, how has dance shaped the way you move for the camera?
Dance has made both my body awareness and camera awareness feel instinctive. It has taught me to understand exactly where my body is in space without needing to look. In modeling, that allows me to adjust an angle, a tilt, or the position of my hands based on feeling alone, instead of constantly needing to check the camera or a mirror.
Heidi, are there certain faces, moods, colors, or ideas that continue to inspire you?
I think Asian faces are especially distinctive, which allows the feelings I want to present to come through more deeply.
Sparrow, are there particular shapes, textures, or styles that continue to inspire you?
I personally prefer geometric shapes and patterns. Perhaps this was influenced by my father, who was an architectural designer. Because of that, I think I became more sensitive to form and structure.
Sparrow, what has been one of your most memorable projects, and why was it special to you?
I would definitely choose my graduation project, because it took about five months to build from scratch, from the initial concept to the final execution. As I mentioned earlier, I have a strong sensitivity to geometric shapes, so I chose a three dimensional geometric art installation as my reference and transformed it into a 3D hairstyle, creating a kind of optical illusion. The look changed depending on the viewing angle. Because the theme of my graduation project was tied to a specific period, I chose to present it through the style of the 1960s, drawing from Pop Art, Minimalism, and Conceptual Art.
Heidi, what did you enjoy most about being part of our Hong Kong shoot with Meko and the team?
What I enjoyed most was the process of communicating with everyone and the moments when we treated each other with sincerity.
Sparrow, what stayed with you most from the Hong Kong shoot with Meko and the team?
One of the most enjoyable parts was meeting everyone at the hotel for the first time, then sitting together in the hotel room and sharing stories about our lives. The whole process felt very comfortable, even though it was the first time any of us had met. It felt like we were old friends, with everyone naturally responding and moving easily from one topic to the next.
Sparrow, what makes a creative collaboration truly work between the hairstylist, makeup artist, model, and photographer?
Personally, I believe everyone should have at least a basic understanding of the different roles involved. Without that foundation, communication becomes difficult, especially during execution. As the saying goes, dreams are always beautiful, but reality is often harsh.
Heidi, what do you hope people feel when they see your work?
I hope people can see that my work is the result of dedication and hard work, and that they can connect with that feeling.
Sparrow, what do you hope people notice when they experience your work?
If it is about makeup, I hope people notice the overall harmony of the look, the color coordination, and the smoothness of the lines, especially in creative work. If it is about hair, I hope people notice how smooth the hair is and how much skill is required to create the style. Personally, I do not care too much about the opinions of outsiders in these areas. I pay more attention to the opinions of professionals within the industry.
Heidi, what is a dream project you would love to take on in the future?
I hope to one day have the honor of working on the cover of a fashion magazine.
Sparrow, is there a dream concept you would still love to bring to life?
Yes, absolutely. I have always wanted to create a theme based on the twelve zodiac signs or tarot cards.
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