Yolanda vom Hagen first came into close contact with China in 2005 during her photo design study at the University of Applied Science Dortmund when she participated in a German-Chinese student exchange project. From 2006 to 2007 she studied at the Beijing Film Academy. Her enthusiasm for Chinese culture and the confrontation with the people, their characteristics and environment lead to a number of photo works and in 2008 a DAAD scholarship enabled her to realize her thesis „Beijing Blue“, a portrait of Beijings population.

A job offer to work as the official press photographer at the German Pavilion during the Expo 2010 gave her the opportunity to relocate to Shanghai, which has now become her second home. Searching to discover Shanghai again and again she was instantly inspired by the concept of Shanghai Flaneur.

Today Yolanda is not only part of the organization team, but also offers photo walks and workshops for adults and kids. Currently she is working on her latest project, a portrait of “China’s generation 2000”

“Thanks again. Yolanda did a great job with the girls. She explained things in a creative but very clear way. She were very kind and patient with them. I thought the "smileys" with assignments on the back were a nice, concrete way of giving them each assignment in turn. It was so cute to see them all running around to show off their best work to you and each other. We all enjoyed the afternoon and I think the girls learned a lot. We were very pleased with the class/walk and it was worth all the hard work that went into planning it on both your end and ours! I will definitely recommend it to others.”

Maggie T. Tucker, Shanghai Girls Scout Group Manager