Arashiyama has one big advantage for families with small children: room to run. Wide riverside paths, open grass, trees to explore — it gives kids the freedom to be themselves, and that is exactly when the best family photos happen.

This family of five met me by the river. Mum and Dad arrived carrying the kind of bags every parent of three little ones knows well, but they were fully prepared and ready to start within minutes. I always admire that.

The three children warmed up to me remarkably quickly. Within the first few minutes they had forgotten the camera was even there, which is the best thing that can happen on a family shoot. Instead of stiff, posed smiles, I got real ones — kids being kids, running along the paths, crouching down to touch the grass and leaves, discovering little things in the trees. Those are the moments parents tell me they treasure most later on.

In between the adventures, we gathered everyone together for family portraits too. With five people, and three of them very small, that can take a little patience. But this family made it easy. They were so close and so comfortable with each other that the togetherness showed up naturally in every frame.

Mum and Dad also trusted me completely with poses and direction. That kind of trust makes a real difference. It means they can relax and simply be with their children, while I take care of finding the light, the angles, and the moments. By the end, we had a wonderful mix of family photos, playful shots of the kids, and quiet moments between parents and children.

Thank you so much for choosing me to photograph your family. It was a joy to meet all five of you. Please come back to Japan together someday — I would love to see how much the kids have grown.

If you are planning a family photoshoot in Kyoto with little ones, you can see my Kyoto packages and details here.