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Intimate iPhone photography series offers unconventional view of China

Equipped with just her smartphone, Kelly Dawson captures intimate, covert portraits of people going about their daily lives in Beijing, China. Originally from America, Kelly is a multimedia journalist who grew up in Hong Kong.

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Via Creative Boom submission. All images courtesy of the photographer

Via Creative Boom submission. All images courtesy of the photographer

Now based in the Chinese capital, she explains why she uses her phone instead of a camera: "As is typical of the expat experience, I've always felt like an observer. I don't have any technical training, but my iPhone has made it possible for me to often take photos unobserved.

"Beijing is a frenetic place. It's packed with people, which can be both claustrophobic and freeing. I find inspiration every day."

Discover more of Kelly's recent work at kcdawson.com.

A dog stands behind a metal gate in front of a bright green utility structure with a blue roof, nestled between weathered brick buildings in Beijing
Woman wearing a denim jacket with text reading "I need a little retail reassurance" standing at a market stall in Beijing
Person in red jacket and black beanie sitting on blue seat aboard Beijing public transport, looking at their phone
Group of people in black clothing walking past a modern green-panelled building in Beijing on a sunny day
Woman in white hoodie holding a black striped bag aboard a crowded Beijing bus
Woman in blue swimsuit viewed from below floating in a swimming pool with arms outstretched
Three people walk away from camera on a Beijing street, the middle person wearing a white t-shirt printed with "I'LL BE A PLASTIC TOY
Woman in white dress and sunglasses plays with two children in a forest clearing, while an adult in a patterned shirt and cowboy hat supervises
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