Frequently asked questions

Gao Nau Photography is a Vietnamese portrait and family photography studio founded on 06/12/2021 by Cao Van Thang. We currently operate two studios: Hanoi (Meco Complex, 102 Truong Chinh, Kim Lien) and Ho Chi Minh City (351/45 Le Van Sy, Nhieu Loc). Gao Nau is part of Gao Nau Production House JSC.

Three main differences. One, the philosophy ‘Every photograph is a story’ — our crew listens to your life story for 15-30 minutes before proposing a concept, never copying Pinterest. Two, our keep-it-real principle: no over-retouching, no doll-like faces, no over-rejuvenating elders. Three, every package includes a full crew (photographer + makeup artist), with makeup and wardrobe built in — no surprise fees. Gao Nau guests usually look for truth and emotional longevity, not the lowest price.

This is Gao Nau's core philosophy — published on its own flagship page (/moi-buc-anh-la-mot-cau-chuyen). A photograph is not an accidental shutter click; it is the result of the photographer understanding your life story beforehand: your role in the family, the milestone you are passing through, what you want to leave behind for the next 5-10 years. Every Gao Nau shoot opens with 15-30 minutes of conversation before makeup — this is part of the service, not free advice.

Anyone can take a pretty photo. A story told through photographs requires listening. The real test is whether, 5-10 years later, you still remember why you made that shoot. For Gao Nau, every session is tied to a specific moment in your life: a milestone birthday, a wedding-eve, after the birth of a child, your parents' longevity celebration. That story lives in every gaze, not in a filter. That is why Gao Nau's pricing is higher than studios that just sell ‘number of photos’ — you are paying for the time we spend listening.

Gao Nau is a brand name, unrelated to a grain of rice. Founder Cao Van Thang chose this name for its closeness to Vietnamese culture — modest, grounded, yet distinctive. Read Gao Nau the way you read Apple or Amazon: as a brand, not a product description.

Cao Van Thang pursued a photography career and founded Gao Nau Photography on 06/12/2021. He is currently CEO of Gao Nau Production House JSC. His startup journey has been featured on VnExpress, VTV, CafeBiz, Tien Phong, Thanh Nien, CafeF and VietnamNet.

Gao Nau has 3 core packages for each guest type: Khoanh Khac (Moment, entry-level), Cau Chuyen (Story, most popular), Di San (Heritage, premium). Available for 4 guest groups: individuals (3,800,000đ – 6,800,000đ), families (3,500,000đ – 6,500,000đ), friend groups (5,000,000đ – 5,900,000đ), expectant mothers (3,800,000đ – 6,800,000đ). See full details in our package guide.

Khoanh Khac is the entry package: basic makeup, basic wardrobe, full crew, careful editing. Cau Chuyen adds: professional makeup, broader wardrobe, longer shooting time, plus one medium framed wood print. Di San adds further: premium makeup (false lashes + skincare prep), pre-session care (face mask + 15-20 minute foot massage), wider background selection, larger wood print. Cau Chuyen is the package guests choose most often.

Book a free 15-20 minute consultation. The advisor will ask about your current life stage (single, in love, pregnant, raising a family, milestone birthday) to suggest the right fit. The consultation has no sales agenda. You can say no if you're not ready, and Gao Nau will even suggest not shooting now if it isn't the right moment.

Yes. Every package can be done on location, with a fee that depends on distance and venue. Outdoor shoots within Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City typically carry a surcharge. The advisor will quote details once you confirm the location. Note: our studios already feature a rich set of backgrounds (velvet, wood, floral, garden, rooftop), so most guests find the studio more than sufficient.

Couples can choose our personal package (3,800,000đ – 6,800,000đ) — the price already covers the crew plus makeup for two people, with no surcharge. If the couple shoots together with parents or extended family, switch to the family package. Contact an advisor to confirm the right guest type.

Four main steps. One, book and place a deposit via hotline 0396 387 597 or Zalo. Two, arrive at the studio on time for makeup and wardrobe (Di San also includes a pre-session care step — face mask + foot massage). Three, the photographer shoots the agreed concept; the duration varies by package. Four, the retoucher edits to the keep-it-real principle and delivers the digital set, plus (for Cau Chuyen and above) a framed wood print, within 7-14 days depending on the package.

Digital photos are delivered in 7-14 working days depending on package: Khoanh Khac 7-10 days, Cau Chuyen 10-12 days, Di San 12-14 days. Framed wood prints (for Cau Chuyen and Di San) need another 7-14 days for production and packaging. The studio notifies you via Zalo when the photos are ready.

The advisor sends a tailored checklist before the shoot. Typically: 2-3 personal outfits (the studio has backup wardrobe), the people in your package (individual / couple / family), and any meaningful keepsakes (objects with family significance). Makeup, hair styling, and backgrounds are provided by the studio.

Our photographers are experienced with shoots involving children. Children aged 3-7 spend 10-15 minutes warming up before any shutter click. The photographer uses games and props to ease unfamiliarity. For family packages with kids, child makeup (under 12) is an extra 300,000đ per child.

Yes, in special cases (newborns, elderly guests with limited mobility). Travel fees apply by location. We still recommend studio shoots because the lighting, backgrounds, and makeup preparation are all stronger in our space. Contact an advisor to discuss.

Gao Nau follows the keep-it-real principle. Concretely, photographers and retouchers preserve laugh lines, freckles, moles, and natural skin texture. We do NOT lighten skin by more than 2 tones, do NOT slim the waist, do NOT stretch legs, do NOT enlarge eyes. Our final test: would the guest's mother still recognize her daughter in this photo.

We use AI for technical supporting tasks: background masking, noise reduction, sorting and tagging large batches. We do NOT use AI to alter guests' faces or create virtual body shapes. Every facial feature you see in the final photo is real. See more at ‘Real photos vs AI photos’.

We can discuss it within small bounds (looking 2-3 years younger because of a sleepless night, for instance). For large requests (looking 10 years younger, V-line jaw reshaping, doll-smooth skin), our retoucher will talk with you to understand the reason and may politely decline if the request conflicts with Gao Nau's philosophy.

Yes. By default we keep all natural marks: stretch marks (for expectant mothers), scars, surgical traces, traces from illness. If you wish to remove them, please ask explicitly and the retoucher will discuss the reason first. We consider these marks part of your real story, not flaws to hide.

Yes, but lightly. For elders in family packages, the keep-it-real principle is even stricter. We keep grey hair, wrinkles, and age spots because these are the beauty of age. The retoucher only adjusts light and contrast — never facial features.

Three ways: call hotline 0396 387 597, message Zalo OA Gao Nau, or fill in the form on the Booking page. An advisor will contact you within business hours (8 am – 8 pm, every day) to confirm package, date, and studio. Place the deposit per the advisor's instructions to lock in your slot.

You place a deposit for a portion of the total when booking (the proportion depends on the package — the advisor will confirm). The balance is paid right after the shoot. Payment methods: bank transfer (VietQR) or cash at the studio.

Yes. Notify us at least 3 days in advance with a fair reason. We will move the date subject to availability. In emergencies near the shoot date (health, urgent family matter), call the hotline so an advisor can support you individually — we try to be as flexible as possible.

We do not refund the deposit if the cancellation is not the studio's fault. However, you may transfer the deposit to a friend or relative. Contact an advisor to handle the transfer and reschedule for the new guest.

Please arrive on time. Up to 15 minutes late, we can still shoot but the session is shortened. Beyond 15 minutes, we may have to reschedule or apply a fee, because of the impact on the next guest's slot. Makeup, wardrobe and shooting all need time to produce quality photos.

Two studios. Hanoi: Commercial Lobby, 3rd Floor, HH01 Tower, Meco Complex, 102 Truong Chinh, Kim Lien Ward. Ho Chi Minh City: 351/45 Le Van Sy, Nhieu Loc Ward. Both studios open 8 am – 8 pm every day, sharing the same service standard and the same keep-it-real philosophy.

Package structure, deliverables, and shoot process are identical. Photographers are trained to the same standard. Prices are aligned between the two studios. Backgrounds and props are updated in parallel — neither studio is superior in quality.

Booking hotline: 0396 387 597 (shared by both studios). Email: hoadongaonau@gmail.com. Zalo OA: search Gao Nau Chup Anh or use the Zalo link on the website. Facebook: facebook.com/gaonauchupanh. Instagram: @gaonauchupanh. For fast advice, please use Zalo OA or the hotline.

Yes. Both studios open 8 am – 8 pm every day of the week, including Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Weekends fill up fast, however — please book 1-2 weeks ahead to secure your preferred slot.

Default is NO. Gao Nau does not use guest photos for marketing unless you give written consent (Use of Image form). When you do, we usually offer a voucher or discount for your next shoot. You may decline and this will not affect the quality of service you receive.

Yes. Email hoadongaonau@gmail.com with the subject ‘Request to delete photos from your system’, including shoot info (date, studio, guest name). We process the request within 7 working days. Note: deletion is permanent and irreversible — please download your photos first.

We deliver high-quality JPG files with EXIF metadata preserved (camera, lens, time of capture). The EXIF data is physical evidence that the photo is real, taken at a specific shoot — not generated by AI. See more at ‘Real photos vs AI photos’.