In 1994, on a study abroad trip just outside of Shanghai in a little city called

Hangzhou, I fell in love with photography. Whether it was a response to the

culture shock or a synergy of my equally left and right brain tendencies —

the medium had gotten to me. I spent a year working out my transition from

engineering to the arts and then never looked back.

The changes that China has undergone between then and now cannot be

understated. During our visit in 2016, Hangzhou was busy hosting the world’s

leaders for a G20 Summit. Shanghai and its surrounding area had factories

shut down for weeks in advance of the conference so we could all be greeted

with clearer skies. So much about Chinese culture is fascinating, confusing,

and incredibly beautiful. It was a dream to be able to explore a glimpse of this

culture through the dads who welcomed me into their lives for a day.