A growing number of young Chinese women are paying for romantic photo shoots with male models, seeking a brief taste of love through a novel form of emotional companionship.
This trend has gained significant traction on mainland social media, with customers spending up to 8,000 yuan (US$1,200) for an hour-long session featuring couple-style poses, including hand-holding, embraces, staged kisses, and even touching the models’ abdominal muscles.
In July, lifestyle blogger Xue Dinge spent 4,520 yuan on a 30-minute romantic photo shoot with two male models.
In a cosy studio setting, the photographer guided her and the models through intimate poses, including face-holding and forehead-to-forehead shots.
A second model appeared shirtless, showcasing his toned physique as he embraced her in a bathtub and struck affectionate poses.
Sharing the experience online, Xue remarked: “Congratulations on entering the era of female-oriented services.”
Another customer, Wenji from Chengdu in southwestern China, paid 3,000 yuan for a couple-style photo shoot.
She crafted a storyline in which she had a quarrel with her “boyfriend” and later found him waiting outside her door, tearful and heartbroken.
“The model is simply a tool for me to create beautiful images. Taking photos is like crafting a dream. I am paying for a scene that makes my heart flutter,” Wenji shared.
Many customers describe the experience as an opportunity to briefly indulge in romance.
One online observer noted: “This is what true enjoyment looks like. These photos fulfil all the fantasies of individuals who do not have boyfriends.”
However, another questioned the appeal, stating: “Why would I spend money on photos that include a stranger? They are neither my friends nor celebrities.”
A third user commented: “This service should not simply be labelled as female-oriented. Women pay to dress up and take intimate photos with men, yet it feels like the male models are the ones benefiting.”
Based in Nanjing, eastern China, Mu Zhao Studio claims to be the country’s first photography studio offering couple-style shoots with male models.
Its packages range from 7,200 yuan for nine edited photos to 28,000 yuan for a full-day “couple experience” featuring multiple outfits and 120 images.
The models are typically commercial models or online influencers, with fees determined by factors including appearance, height, follower count, and performance skills, according to mainland reports.
Founder Mu Zhao observed that some customers come primarily for attractive couple portraits, while others seek to experience the feelings associated with dating a handsome man or use the photos to alleviate family pressure regarding marriage.
Mu Zhao emphasised that intimate poses are designed within appropriate social boundaries, with the studio avoiding any exchange of contact details between customers and models, despite some clients developing feelings for them.
She believes that more women are becoming confident in expressing their needs, whether related to appearance, intimate desires, or emotional fulfilment.
“Women should be brave enough to articulate their own needs. Spending money to make themselves happy is enough,” she added.
This trend reflects a broader shift towards paid companionship services in China, where women can hire male companions for activities ranging from outdoor pursuits to immersive role-playing games. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
