A lot of photographers dream of shooting high fashion and all the expensive couture that comes along with it. Unfortunately, unless you’re shooting specifically for a brand, that kind of budget just isn’t a reality for many photographers. Or is it?

Living in China, the leading manufacturer of shanzhai (i.e. imitation/pirated goods), photographer, Quentin Shih, wanted to undertake a project that would explore the everyday life of the individuals living in the small, poor towns at the forefront of the shanzhai industry. Thus, he started the “$9 Fashion For Photography” series. A collection of portraits for which he budgeted a measly 9 bucks to accessorize the models for each shoot.

“I want to create some humor using fake luxury goods, and the vivid color of these goods is also what interested me, but the fake stuff is not the whole topic I want to explore—young people, life, portraits are what I’m looking for in this project.”

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