10 Years, One City, Infinite Frames: How Hong Kong Turned an Indian Traveler into a Shutterstock Pro

H S
Nov 9
4 min read

Updated: Nov 11

Victoria harbour sunset shot on iPhone 17 pro max

From my first blurry phone snap in 2015 to 8K zooms in 2025 – all Hong Kong.

I never planned to become a photographer.

In 2015, I was just another 20-something from Mumbai, boarding a red-eye flight to Hong Kong with a backpack, a Samsung galaxy edge and zero clue.

I came for the skyline.

I stayed for the shutter.

Fast-forward 10 years – I’ve spent over more than 36 months total in Hong Kong, shot 100,000+ frames, sold thousands on Shutterstock, and built a portfolio that showcases my work.

All because one city refused to let me leave.

The Spark: 2015 – Phone in Hand, Eyes Wide Open

I landed in Kowloon at 6 AM.

The city was already awake – neon bleeding into dawn, ferries slicing the harbour, wet markets alive with steam and shouts.

I pulled out my Samsung Galaxy (12MP, no zoom, no clue) and started clicking.

- A hawker flipping waffles at 7 AM.

- A double-decker tram glowing red under rain.

- My first Victoria Peak sunrise – phone pressed against the glass, fogging it up.

I wasn’t “taking photos.”

I was collecting proof that this place was real.

That trip lasted for 11 days. I came home with 1,500 photos and a new addiction.

The Leap: 2016 – DSLR in Hand, Dreams in Focus

Back in India, I couldn’t stop scrolling through those blurry shots.

Something clicked.

I sold my Samsung and booked the next flight to HK and bought a Nikon D5500 and an iPhone 6.

This time, I stayed 2 months.

I chased typhoon clouds over Sai Kung.

I camped on the MTR with a tripod at 12 AM for empty platform shots.

Hong Kong didn’t just let me shoot – it taught me how to see.

- Light bouncing off wet streets at 3 AM.

- Steam curling from bamboo steamers like dragon breath.

- A lone fisherman on a junk boat.

Every frame felt like a secret the city whispered only to me.

The Obsession: 10 Years of Returning, Never the Same City Twice

City at night from sky100 observation deck

Hong Kong is a living kaleidoscope.

Same streets. Different light. Different story.

Explosive bursts of Lunar New Year fireworks illuminating the night sky from various rooftops across multiple years.
Empty streets in 2020 – silent, historic.
8x zoom sunsets in 2025 with the iPhone 17 Pro Max – so sharp, buyers think it’s a drone.

I don’t chase new locations.

I chase new versions of the same magic.

Hong Kong never repeats itself. That’s why I never stop coming back.

From Hobby to Hustle: How Hong Kong Built My Shutterstock Empire

I’m a Shutterstock contributor – and Hong Kong is my secret weapon.

Here’s the truth:

One city can fund your entire portfolio.

My Hong Kong Formula (Copy-Paste This):

Shoot vertically – 70% of Shutterstock sales are for social/ads
Keyword like a local – “kowloon night market”, “victoria harbour drone view”, “hong kong tram golden hour”
Upload weekly – even 1 photo keeps the algorithm happy
Tag with 45 keywords – get my free HK keyword pack
Mark “Editorial” for street shots – higher payouts

Result ?

Only ~$500 earned from Hong Kong photos across 10 years.
But that’s not the point. This city gave me purpose, a reason to wake at 4 AM, a lens to see the world differently. The money is tiny. The impact is infinite. I hope one day the earnings go much higher – but even if they don’t, I’ll keep clicking.