I love photography, and ever since I became a mom, my number one subject has been my little girl. Since she was born we’ve done so many DIY photoshoots at home, at friends’ houses, and at selfie museums. For babies, it’s really simple to set up a quick backdrop at home, but once they get bigger (and way more mobile), it becomes a lot more challenging.

While there are plenty of professional photographers’ studios around the city, for amateur photography hobbyists like myself, a few hours at a selfie museum wrangling my kid for some adorable themed photos sounds like fun. This past Chinese New Year, I took my daughter and ayi to a local selfie museum, and in about 40 minutes I had about 100 perfectly themed photos ready for my choosing.

Photography museums are essentially places where each room/corner is set with different backdrops. Most places will also have costumes that you can borrow and most keep them in pretty good condition. They’re designed with great lighting in mind and most will have standing selfie sticks with remotes that you can borrow.

Pro tip:
Don’t do it alone. Bring another adult who can help because you’ll need it when your kids get super excited and just wants to run around.

Here are a few selfie museums in Beijing for those who want to try their hand at photography.

Beijing Whimsical Relief Pavilion is an interesting concept. It offers both photo background and stress relief rooms like entire walls decorated with rubber chickens, spinning bikes, and black light pillow fighting rooms. This one is a good option if you want to combine your photography session with some unconventional playtime.

Find it:
2/F, Yintai in88, 88 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District
东城区 2层 in88, 88王府井大街
Price: Buy your ticket on Dianping for RMB 49.9 per adult.

Van Gogh Art Museum is where you can get all photos Van Gogh themed. Each room is inspired by one of his famous paintings and offers props that’ll help you look like you’re immersed in the artwork itself. The downside to this place is that it’s run more like a modern art museum rather than a selfie museum, which means no costumes or selfie sticks available to borrow.

Find it:
501, 5/F, Wangfujing Bookstore, 281 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District
东城区 501 5层王府井书店，281 王府井大街
Price: Buy your ticket on Dianping for RMB 49.9 per adult or RMB 99.8 for two people

Seven Years of Costume Selfie Studio is strictly for photos. Built with multiple versatile backgrounds, like art studio, Japanese tea house, ’80s home in China, teenage bedroom, etc., it lets you practice your angles and try out your hand at photography.

Find it:
1901, 19F, Building D, SOHO Modern City, Jianguo Street
1901 19层 建国路SOHO现代城D坐
Price: Buy your ticket on Dianping for RMB 158 for 2 hours of selfie time.

Images: Mina Yan

Mini-Karate Camp
Flips & Kicks Plus is running a one week martial arts training camp at The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi, suitable for kids aged 6-12 years. Camp activities will include karate training (goju ryu), practice kata, bunkai, throwing, and pad work. Expert karate coaches and foreign group coaches will ensure the camp is both safe and a whole lot of fun. The camp will run from Monday July 20 to Friday July 24.

There are two camp options: half day 9am-12noon RMB 1,980, or full day 9am-2.30pm RMB 3,080. All current Flips & Kicks Plus members, BSB students, and this year’s summer campers from Daystar Academy, will get a 10 per cent discount. Water will be provided, but campers must bring their own water bottle. Lunch is available for an additional fee. To register, contact (Fredrik 151 2009 8062 / 137 1846 2044 or Kai 158 1068 6744, info@flipsandkicksplus.com) www.flipsandkicksplus.com

Not An Illusion Photography
There are some great savings to be made with the summer sale at Not An Illusion. Items in the sale include customized photo books, crystal prints, calendars, posters, and fridge magnets. All sales of items from the Portraits of Himalayans series, which includes amazing art prints and postcards, will go towards fundraising for Kathmandu Dhalko refugee camp. The images capture the beauty of the environment and the community, with themes including women of the Himalayas, kids, pilgrims, and the valley. Family portraits make great memories and wonderful gifts for friends and family. Take your family outside of the studio and into nature, with family portrait locations this summer including Beijing and Yunnan Dali. To reserve a time slot email notanillusion@me.com

Balmain Gourmet
Newly opened is Balmain Gourmet Meat & Grill on Yu Yang Road. The people behind some of Beijing’s best sausages have opened up a restaurant. Open daily from 10am-8pm, during July and August you can enjoy a free cappuccino or latte whilst picking up both fresh and frozen Balmain products. From September, the restaurant will be offering a menu to include gourmet hotdogs, house cured bacons, and much more.

Balmain Gourmet’s fresh pork sausages include Lincolnshire, Cumberland, wild garlic with cracked black pepper, and Mexican jalapeno flavors. They come in two sausage sizes: perfect for dinner or breakfast. Prices range from RMB 75-100 per 500g pack, RMB 150-200 per kilo. There’s also a beef bratwurst on the menu, plus gourmet beef and lamb burgers RMB 20 per 120g burger. The sausage rolls are made with Belgium butter, RMB 20 each. Gluten free sausages and burgers are available. All sausages and burgers are handmade from fresh cuts, and contain no preservatives, additives, or MSG. Free delivery service for orders over RMB 500.

In need a chest freezer, for your home, office, or school? Order RMB 2,000 worth of Balmain products and receive, at no cost and delivered direct to your door, a chest freezer valued at RMB 1,800. For more details on Balmain products and offers, contact (186 0003 9708, bjsozzies@gmail.com)

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos: courtesy of Flips & Kicks Plus, Not An Illusion Photography, Christopher Craig (Flickr)