Michelle ThompsonTan Mengmeng, a wedding photographer, relies primarily on documenting the happiness of couples on their wedding day. However, with China’s marriage rate steadily dropping, the 28-year-old, who operates a photography studio in Henan province, has found it necessary to broaden her services by tapping into a rising trend: divorce.
In addition to photographing couples tying the knot, Tan now offers her services to those wishing to capture and, in many cases, celebrate the end of their marriages.
According to China’s National Bureau of Statistics, marriage rates have been falling consistently, dropping from roughly 13 million in 2013 to under 7 million in 2022, marking the lowest recorded figure since data collection began in 1985. Although there was a slight increase last year, reaching nearly 8 million, authorities remain concerned about this downward trend.
At the same time, divorces have surged, peaking at 4.7 million in 2019, more than quadruple the figures from 20 years ago. To curb this, the government introduced a law in 2021 requiring couples to undergo a 30-day “cooling off” period before finalizing their divorce. While this led to a brief decline, divorce rates jumped by 25% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
These shifts are contributing to a worsening demographic crisis in China, aggravated by a slowing economy, an aging population, and fewer women having children, partly due to the lasting effects of the one-child policy.
Observing long lines outside offices where divorces are processed, Tan decided to shift her business toward divorce photography. Over the past year, she has captured around 30 couples, recording moments filled with both heartache and joy as they finalize their separations.
“This is a good business opportunity,” Tan explained. “After all, both happiness and sadness are worth remembering.”
Shifting perspectives on divorce
Her exploration of China’s emerging divorce industry highlights much about the evolving views on marriage in the country.
In the past, divorce carried a significant stigma in Chinese society, which has traditionally valued family unity and stability. However, many young people today are opting out of marriage entirely. For those who do marry, there is growing acceptance if the relationship ends in divorce.
This cultural change has led to a thriving business in divorce photography, benefiting not only Tan but also other photographers seeking to capitalize on this trend.
Photos posted on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu feature some couples signing their divorce documents, while others pose with their divorce certificates.
This image depicts a torn marriage certificate accompanied by a few roses.
“29 years old. Happy divorce,” one user captioned a photo showing her marriage and divorce certificates displayed side by side.
Additionally, some companies now provide services to ceremonially dispose of a divorcee’s old wedding keepsakes and other unwanted items.
Peng Xiujian, a senior research fellow at Victoria University in Australia, notes that these changes reflect a younger generation that values personal freedom and career growth.
“The notion of remaining in an unhappy marriage ‘for appearances’ or out of obligation is fading,” she explained.
Peng, who studies demographic shifts in China, also links the decline in marriage rates to economic and social pressures, such as a demanding work environment, a competitive job market, and high living costs.
For those opting for divorce, it’s no longer viewed as disgraceful, according to Tan.
“It’s not shameful to be courageous enough to divorce,” she stated. “Both individuals still have feelings and wish to honor their relationship.”
One couple who engaged Tan chose the restaurant where they had their first date. They ordered nostalgic dishes and sat silently across from each other. “By the end of the photo session, both were in tears,” Tan recounted.
A former couple stands in front of a civil affairs office in Henan, China.
While the couple had affection for each other, the wife could no longer endure conflicts with her in-laws, and her husband was too preoccupied with work to help resolve the issues, Tan explained.
Some separations, however, are less amicable.
Tan recounted an instance where a man spent the entire photo session engrossed in his phone, while the woman began to cry.
When she received the photos, she noticed there were few images of her ex-husband. “I didn’t have the heart to tell her that he requested I avoid capturing his face,” Tan said.
Shortly after, Tan learned that the man had hired another photographer to take wedding pictures with his new partner.
While the majority of her clients are women, Tan ensures that men contribute to the costs as well.
A divorce factory
Located 60 miles from Beijing, Liu Wei and his team operate a business that assists divorced couples in eliminating reminders of their marriage.
To protect privacy, faces in old wedding photos are spray-painted before being fed into a crusher alongside other mementos.
For those seeking closure and a fresh start, the entire process is recorded on film.
Liu likened his role to that of a doctor, needing to manage the emotional aspects of the separations without becoming too involved.
A factory operated by Liu Wei in Beijing assists divorced couples in destroying evidence of their marriage.
“A divorce may not necessarily be negative; it can be a positive change. So there’s no reason to feel sorrowful about it,” Liu told CNN.
His services, which range from $8 to $28, have seen such high demand that business is booming. Since opening his factory in 2021, he has destroyed wedding photos for approximately 2,500 couples.
Gary Ng, an economist at French investment bank Natixis, noted that while it’s challenging to gauge the market size and potential for growth, the rising divorce rates in China indicate an increase in related economic activities.
Meanwhile, Tan, the photographer, is contemplating ways to expand her business. Her latest strategy involves enticing previous clients in case they decide to reunite.
“I’ll offer them an 18% discount if they remarry and request me to take their photos,” she said.
