A Joyful Proposal in Arashiyama: Photographing a Couple Who Laughed Through the Whole Moment

I had the pleasure of photographing a truly wonderful couple in Arashiyama, Kyoto, for a surprise proposal — and I have been holding onto these photos for a long time because I loved this couple so much and the session was so much fun for me. I kept waiting for the perfect moment to share them, and somehow I held them too carefully for too long, but I am finally sharing them now because they really deserve to be shared.

This shoot was a surprise proposal, and the moment he got down on one knee and asked her, the two of them burst out laughing. Of course she was so happy, and of course she said yes, but more than anything, what I will always remember from that moment is the two of them laughing together. The photos I took right at that moment are some of my favorite proposal photos I have ever taken. To me, that laughter said everything about who they are as a couple and what their relationship is really like. It was so beautiful to witness.

After the proposal, we kept walking through Arashiyama and continued taking photos at different spots, and the laughter honestly never stopped. From start to finish, they were both so bright and so warm, and our one-hour session felt like one long, happy moment. I was smiling behind the camera the whole time.

She also spoke a little Japanese, which was such a lovely surprise, and we talked about so many things during the shoot — about Japan, about the place where they live, about their life together. It really felt less like a photoshoot and more like spending time with friends. Even now, I still think about that day and how much I would love to see the two of them again.

Thank you so much for letting me be part of such an important moment in your lives. Congratulations again — I am so happy for both of you. And thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer. I really hope to see you both again the next time you visit Japan, and I cannot wait for that day.

If you are planning a surprise proposal in Kyoto, Osaka, or Nara, I would love to hear from you. Arashiyama is one of the most beautiful places in Kyoto for a proposal — the bamboo, the bridge, the river, and the mountains all in one place make it truly unforgettable. Please visit photoguider-japan.com to see proposal packages and get in touch.