"Magic Studio," one of the city's most popular photography workshops known for its high-quality job-seeking photos, will close this weekend after nearly two decades in business, under pressure from rising costs and the prevalence of digital cameras.
Qunlin Photography Workshop, the real name of the famous studio, is on a small street near several universities in Hongkou District.
It attracts thousands of people lining up for shots every day, mostly college senior job seekers hoping to impress prospective employers with a good physical appearance.
Students nickname the workshop "Magic Studio" for the good makeup and photography skills of its owner - Chen Zhongqun - who worked in a state-owned photo studio for nearly three decades before launching the studio on Guangling No. 1 Road in 1993.
Over the past 18 years, Chen's skills have earned him a big reputation across the universities in Shanghai, and he hired seven employees to help him handle the booming business.
One student surnamed Zhao traveled from her college, Shanghai Business School in Xuhui District, to the studio to take the job-seeking pictures yesterday.
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