A pair wearing traditional Chinese outfits pose for a photo at the Palace Museum in Beijing on June 29. The museum issued a notice on June 15, which banned commercial photography at the venue without prior permission. Photo: VCG

Photo samples taken at the Palace Museum are on display in a studio in Beijing on July 9. The ban took effect on June 30, forcing many photographers to find new scenic locations for their business. Photo: Cai Yingli, special contributor/Caixin

The ban is a blow to commercial photographer Haozi, who opened his photo studio near the Palace Museum earlier this year. Photo: Cai Yingli, special contributor/Caixin

The dressing room in Haozi’s studio on July 9. Many customers had to cancel their appointments because they were unable to take photos inside the Palace Museum. Photo: Cai Yingli, special contributor/Caixin

To attract new customers, Haozi hired models to take promotional photos at attractions near the Palace Museum, such as Beihai Park and Zhongshan Park. Photo: Cai Yingli, special contributor/Caixin

A woman prepares for a shoot in Beihai Park on July 9. Photo: Cai Yingli, special contributor/Caixin

Photographers in action. Photo: Cai Yingli, special contributor/Caixin

A passerby inquires about the photography service as a shoot was about to commence in Beihai Park. Photo: Cai Yingli, special contributor/Caixin

A customer wearing a traditional Chinese theatrical outfit poses for a photo at a restaurant in Ciqikou, Southwest China’s Chongqing municipality, on June 9. Photo: Cai Yingli, special contributor/Caixin

A visitor in Quanzhou poses for photos on June 24 wearing a traditional outfit in Xunpu, a small fishing village in East China’s Fujian province. Photography services featuring traditional costumes have boomed in China in recent years. Photo: Dong De/Caixin