Over many years Philipp became used to observing “Po-Pos” going for their morning swim off Sheko where he lives. When he heard how women bathe in the northern Chinese city of Qingdao, covered in home fashioned headmasks and bodysuits, Engelhorn’s interest was piqued and he traveled there spending eight days portraying this community of intrepid swimmers on their own terms in the early morning light.

Their intriguing and quirky homemade swimwear originated as a means of protection both against the sun’s rays and the area’s giant stinging jellyfish but taken with the proud Chinese Opera-inspired poses these images make for an unexpectedly intimate and touching insight into the sacrosanct trust that can exist between photographer and model.