tibet.pBu Kalsang (center, holding boy) and his family sit for a free portrait on May 23 in Chonggyai county, Tibet autonomous region. Volunteer photographers traveled to five villages and communities in the county to take photos for 236 families. (CHOGYAL / CHINA DAILY)

Phuntsok Tashi was delighted when volunteer photographers recently took a family portrait for him－his first ever.

The family portrait studio, established in 2019, has conducted many photographic events for the county's villagers, and its volunteers have helped people remember happy moments in their lives

"Three of us in my family are elder people," he said. "These volunteers are really good. They came to our doorstep with the generous offer, and we were all pleased to have our family portrait taken. 

"It's a memory of the present that will last forever, and we really appreciate the service."

The team of photographers from Chonggyai county in the Tibet autonomous region has been taking family portraits, free of charge, for villagers in remote parts of Tibet. The team's 14 members, all volunteers, focus on the lives of the county's rural residents.

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Over the past two weeks, the team traveled to five villages and communities in the county's Chonggyai township, where they photographed 236 families.

Their family portrait studio, established in 2019, has conducted many photographic events for the county's villagers, and its volunteers have helped people remember happy moments in their lives.

Dressed in their newest and best clothing, family members wait excitedly for their picture to be taken. For many, it's their first family portrait.

Padron, who lives in the Sholpa residential community of Chonggyai township, said she was impressed when the team took photos at their door.

"They are professional, and it is free," Padron said, adding that the photographs made them feel "very close to (our) culture".

Samtan, one of those responsible for the studio, said most of the photographers are people who work for the government. He added that his team has taken more than 300 family portraits of villagers, and he was glad to give them the chance to have their first portrait taken.

"We want to not only record their life images, but also convey the social and economic changes of the county," he said.

"We have elicited many smiles while shooting the portraits, and we want to help residents feel the warmth of the government."

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Lhakpa Tashi, one of the studio's volunteer photographers, said the project has created a way for the photographers to communicate, exchange ideas and learn from one another, adding that the photo studio also provides photography equipment.

"Our shooting helps people to record different sides and images of society and their lives, and we can observe the moments of love via these photos," Lhakpa Tashi said.

"What we have given the villagers is not only photos enriched with different memories and life stories, but love and friendship."