The price of a perfect shot

Lynzy Valles

Two weeks ago, Public Security Police (PSP) officers intercepted a man carrying professional camera equipment while photographing a woman in Cotai. What initially appeared to be a routine tourist activity quickly escalated into suspicion of illegal employment. The pair were stopped on the spot and questioned.

According to reports, the woman later admitted she had hired the man through a mobile application on an hourly basis. The two had already conducted a photoshoot in Hong Kong before travelling to Macau the following day to continue the session. The man acknowledged receiving a total payment of RMB1,098 for the work.

Authorities later classified the case as a suspected violation of regulations governing the employment of non-residents.

Under Macau law, non-residents found working illegally may face fines of up to MOP10,000, while employers who illegally hire them could face imprisonment of up to two years.

But what exactly counts as “working” in a city where images, experiences, and digital content are constantly being produced and monetized?

It’s no secret that Macau’s tourism landscape is built on visual spectacle.

From the Cotai Strip to the Ruins of St. Paul’s, Penha Hill, and Senado Square, visitors easily hire photographers to capture their trips.

And with the power of social media, it is now common to see individuals or small groups taking staged photographs for tourists across major landmarks, often arranged through apps or social media groups.

Before debating legality, perhaps a more important question would be: Why are non-local workers being hired in the first place?

Do they offer better portfolios, greater experience, lower costs, or something the local market cannot readily provide? If there is genuine demand for these services, then the issue may not lie solely with enforcement, but with whether the local market is meeting that demand.

Also, how should authorities distinguish between a tourist snapping pictures for fun, a freelance photographer earning side income, and an unlicensed service provider?

The ambiguity then becomes even more apparent when considering promotional activities.

Last year, the Macao Government Tourism Office hosted CreatorWeek Macao, a major international festival celebrating the global creator economy, blending industry conferences, fan engagement, and live entertainment, which brought overseas content creators to promote the city – and there were several content creators with millions of followers.

I doubt they’d come to the city on their own cost – and without a financial reward. These individuals are often provided with accommodation, transportation, and sponsorship arrangements.

While clearly promotional in nature, such activities also involve non-residents producing content in exchange for benefits. Yet they seem widely accepted as marketing initiatives rather than employment violations.

In a press conference yesterday, the government proposed a registration system for commercial photography services at tourist hotspots under a wider administrative reform package.

Officials say that such measures are necessary to maintain order and clarify oversight in high-traffic areas.

But then also, there are the paddock girls brought in during the Macau Grand Prix, the non-local students stationed at registration counters or serving as event guides during MICE exhibitions and conferences in Cotai, or those manning water stations at 5 a.m. during marathons.

Let’s not forget the KOLs, flown into Macau to promote integrated resorts – and, at times, the city itself.

Where do they fit within the legal framework?

For now, the answer may have to wait until the public consultation concludes.