Chinese New Year and Festive Corporate Event Photography in Singapore
Short answer: Festive company celebrations in Singapore are short, loud and full of moments that happen fast. For Chinese New Year, the key moments are:
- the lo hei toss, which lasts only a minute or two
- the lion dance, especially when the lion plucks the greens and red packets (cai qing)
- leaders giving red packets and mandarin oranges to staff
Get the programme timings from the organiser, place the photographer before each moment starts, and book early: Chinese New Year celebrations cluster in the two to three weeks around the festival. In 2027, Chinese New Year falls on 6 February.
The same planning works for Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas celebrations at work.
Written by Ricky Ee, Director of RS Photography. We photograph company dinners, office celebrations and festive events in Singapore.
Lo hei: the toss
Lo hei (tossing the yusheng salad) is the most photographed moment at a Chinese New Year lunch or dinner.
- Know when it starts. Ask the organiser or restaurant which table goes first and when.
- Start with the main table, with the leadership and guests of honour.
- Take a raised position if possible, so you see every pair of chopsticks and every face.
- Shoot the build-up: the server adding each ingredient and saying the auspicious phrases.
- Then the toss: everyone standing, chopsticks high, laughing. Use flash and a fast burst.
- Cover a few staff tables too, if there are several. Arrange the timing so the photographer can move between them.
For full Chinese New Year dinners, see annual dinner and gala photography.
Lion dance
A lion dance at the office, a showroom or a new branch brings luck and energy, and makes striking photos.
- Get the route: where the lions enter, which areas they visit, and where they will pluck the greens (cai qing).
- Position early: the lions move fast and crowds gather quickly.
- Key moments: the entrance with drums and cymbals, the lion "waking up", the leaders feeding the lion red packets, the cai qing, and the lion spitting out the lettuce or mandarin orange pieces.
- Capture reactions: staff and children watching are often the best photos.
- Give the troupe space: don't block their movements or the drummers.
- Eye-dotting (dian jing): at an opening or the first appearance, a VIP dots the lion's eyes with a brush. Plan it like a ceremony.
For lion dances at openings, see groundbreaking and opening ceremonies.
Other Chinese New Year moments
- Leaders giving red packets (hongbao) to staff
- Mandarin oranges exchanged in pairs
- Decorations: lanterns, couplets and the company's festive backdrop
- Group photos by department in front of the decorations
- Traditional dress: staff in cheongsam, samfu and other festive outfits
A festive photo spot with a themed backdrop is popular: staff take turns for team and individual photos, which they share on social media.
Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas
Singapore companies celebrate many festivals. Plan each with the same care:
| Festival | Typical company celebration | Moments to capture |
|---|---|---|
| Hari Raya Aidilfitri | Office open house or lunch after Ramadan | Staff in traditional dress (baju kurung, baju Melayu), greetings and food, group photos |
| Deepavali | Office celebration with decorations, sweets and sometimes kolam drawing | Staff in traditional dress, oil lamps, kolam, greetings |
| Christmas | Office party, gift exchange or year-end lunch | Decorations, gift exchange, games, team photos |
Cultural care:
- Ask before photographing prayers or religious rituals, and follow the organisers' guidance.
- Respect dress customs and any guidance on photographing people at prayer.
- Avoid unflattering photos of people eating. This matters at every festive meal.
See community and religious celebrations for more on respecting worship and rituals.
Timing and booking
- Chinese New Year: celebrations cluster in the two to three weeks around the festival, and lion dance troupes and photographers are booked early. Book four to six weeks ahead.
- Short bookings: an office lo hei or lion dance usually fits in a 2-hour booking.
- Several sites in one day: lions often visit several branches. Plan the photographer's travel time between them.
- Same-day sharing: festive photos are posted the same day on internal channels and LinkedIn. See same-day event photo delivery.
Budget
Most office celebrations are 2-hour bookings, or part of a half-day if there is a lunch, a lion dance and a photo spot. Visiting several branches in one day adds time. For typical ranges, see corporate event photography costs in Singapore. A festive photo booth with themed prints is also popular.
FAQ
How do you photograph lo hei at a company dinner?
Find out when it starts and which table goes first, start with the main table, take a raised position if possible, photograph the ingredients being added and the auspicious phrases, then the toss itself with flash and a fast burst. Cover a few staff tables if there are several.
What are the key moments of a lion dance to photograph?
The entrance with drums and cymbals, the lion waking up, leaders feeding it red packets, the plucking of the greens (cai qing), the lion spitting out lettuce or oranges, and staff reactions. Get the route in advance and position early.
How early should we book a photographer for Chinese New Year?
Four to six weeks ahead. Company celebrations cluster in the two to three weeks around the festival, and lion dance troupes and photographers are booked early.
How long does an office Chinese New Year celebration take to photograph?
An office lo hei or lion dance usually fits in a 2-hour booking. A celebration with lunch, a lion dance and a photo spot may need a half day, and visits to several branches add travel time.
How should we photograph Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas celebrations at work?
Plan the key moments, such as greetings, traditional dress, decorations and group photos. Ask before photographing prayers or religious rituals, respect dress customs, and avoid unflattering photos of people eating.
Summary
For Chinese New Year and festive celebrations at work in Singapore:
- get the programme timings and position the photographer early
- cover the lo hei toss at the main table and a few staff tables
- plan the lion dance route and the cai qing
- capture red packets, oranges, decorations and traditional dress
- treat every festival's customs with care
- book four to six weeks ahead for Chinese New Year
Planning a Chinese New Year or festive celebration? Send RS Photography the date, location and programme, and we will reply with a nett quotation. Request a festive event quotation
Related reading: Corporate event photography in Singapore: the complete guide
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