Hou Yimin was born in Harbin, China. His parents are teachers in Harbin Military College. He graduated from Beijing Film Academy majoring in photographing. In 1980s, as a senior member of Word Wildlife Fund photographer group, and the first wildlife photographer in China, he worked in primeval forests in Sichuan for six years taking photos of wild pandas. In 1990, Hou Yimin was awarded the senior member of British Royal Photographer Committee. In 1996, one of his panda photos, ON TH SAME PLANNET, was auctioned at a 50,000 USD in Rongbaozhai Beijing (a prestigious art auction organization in China), which is the highest auction price for photos in China then. In the same year, he was awarded senior member of Artistic Photographing by China Ministry of Culture. His panda photos have won praises from the world, including Chairman of Chinese photographer committee ( who regarded these photos of highest artistic quality of wild panda photos in the world), Prince Philip, and The UN General Secretary Office. In 1992, 100 of his panda photos were sold at 1,000 RMB per photo (average photo price at that time in China is eight RMB), which is also the highest ramification then in China.
Since 1993, Hou Yimin has been a freelance photographer, striving to take photos of Chinese peasants for eight years. In 2005, his photographic story, PEASANTS, was awarded Grand Creation Award in Pingyao International Photographic Competition. In 2006, he directed and photographed a TV documentary, ZHAICHENG STORY, which was shown in Phoenix TV Station. This documentary, which discusses democracy attempts in Chinese rural areas, impressed senior government officials. In 2006, 36 of his photos were collected by Pingyao International Photographic Museum. In 2007, he started business cooperations with GAMMA Photo Agency and become a contract photographer in International Photo Collection company. 24 of his photos were sent into classic art collection market. In the same year, he was reported to be one of the most respectable artist in China by International Photo Collection website.
Hou Yimin has published many albums and held a series of exhibitions both in China and in the world. His photo has been published in many international magazines including LE FIGARO, TERRE SAUVAGE, etc. Presses including NHK TV Station, Chinese CCTV, The Associated Press, Xinhua New Agency, Phoenix TV Station, etc, have reported his photo and stories. His photos also win praises from Frank Fourier (76th Pulitzer Price), Bodo Von Dewit (Director of the Agfa Foto-Historama of Museum Ludwig), Floris De Boneville(GAMMA Chief editor), etc. In Dec, 2007, Hou was invited to Second International Photograph Summit in France as a representative of Asian photographers. In 2008, at the invitation of Beijing Olympics Commitee, Hou's panda photo exhibition was held in 2008 Beijing Olympics Press Center during 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Presently Hou Yimin is a freelance photographer and freelance director.
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