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The portrait photos Yang has taken have managed to retain the image of elderly villagers, including some who have died. In such cases, the photos are used to remember them. That was a reason Yang initiated the free photography drive for elderly villagers.

A visit to a villager's home during a public welfare program in 2017 made Yang aware of the "photo problem". She was working with the China Social Assistance Foundation to deliver free clothes to people above 60 in rural areas of Majie town, Shangluo.

"We went back to see an elderly woman surnamed Shao to review the influence of the program," Yang says, adding that they found out the woman had put away the donated clothes in her cabinet to use them only for major events and holidays.

When Shao was fumbling around for the right key to the cabinet, Yang noticed that sitting right next to it was a roof tile with a white paper stuck on it.

"It was supposed to be a memorial tablet for her husband, who had passed away without leaving any portrait photos of himself behind," Yang says.

"I could feel she was regretful about it."