BLOG

Two friendly families had booked a photo shoot with me. They rented kimonos near Fushimi Inari Shrine and were waiting for me in their kimonos. The photo shoot with both families, who were very bright and friendly, was fantastic.
First, we took pictures inside Fushimi Inari Shrine, and we were able to take many different types of pictures, including family photos, photos of only the children, photos of only the parents, and individual photos.
After Fushimi Inari, we went to the Gion area. Everyone seemed very interested in walking around the city of Kyoto, and I felt like I was traveling with them. We were able to take great photos of the weeping cherry blossoms in Maruyama Park, and the children were running around and playing in the park. The photo shoot with everyone full of energy was fun, and I look forward to meeting them again when they come back to Japan! Thank you very much!!

This time, it’s a surprise proposal photo shoot. The plan is to propose at the most famous Yasaka Pagoda in the Gion area of Kyoto. The customer rented a kimono, and I was standing by, anticipating the moment when they finished changing into the kimono. While waiting for them on the way to the Yasaka Pagoda, I was still nervous. With a surprise proposal, there is no room for mistakes as you have to pretend to be a tourist and follow them or suddenly take many photos. But I think the happy expressions on everyone’s faces when the proposal is successful are priceless. This time, the proposal was successful and we continued to take pictures in the Gion area. We took lots of photos, including pictures with the ring and pictures with the cherry blossoms, which had already bloomed. They liked the photos, and I also felt very happy taking them. I am truly grateful for the many requests for proposal photo shoots. It’s really rewarding to be able to assist not only with creating memories of their trips but also with other significant events. It’s already the cherry blossom season! I’m looking forward to taking pictures!

I had a family from Malaysia join me for the photoshoot. They were all very friendly, and especially the father was a really funny person, so he left the whole family smiling during the shoot. Thanks to them, the 2 hours session flew by and it was very enjoyable time with lots of happy photos taken.
The Gion area in Kyoto is very popular and visited by many tourists. I have visited countless times for photo shoots but the scenery changes depending on the season and I always get to take beautiful pictures. During this shoot, we took photos with lanterns at Yasaka shrine and sat on a small bridge in Maruyama park to take pictures. We walked about for 2 hours, so I think it must have been tough for the customers who were wearing kimonos. However, they ended up loving the photos and said they had a great time, which made me very happy too. I am looking forward to seeing them again when they come back to Japan! Thank you very much!!

The most popular place in Kyoto is this Fushimi Inari shrine. They had wanted to visit this place early morning for long time. The guy made a plan of surprise proposal at this shrine and I captured the awesome moments!! I have taken surprise proposal many times but it was first time to do at Fushimi Inari shrine because it is always very crowded here and difficult to propose without people on background. But we visited early morning like 7am. Some tourists already sightseeing here but much less people than usual. I followed them from entrance of the shrine to many red gates area. He proposed her at beautiful spot and I took many great shots of his proposal.
After that, I took video as well. Please check the video too!!:)

I met a great couple in Arashiyama Kyoto the middle of February. He and I made a plan of surprise proposal from January and he had an awesome idea. It is fortune cookie proposal that he made a ring into a fortune cookie. His girl friend would bite it and see the ring and then notice. I have never seen and heard this plan and was so excited to do that.
I went to Arashiyama around 7am. It was very early morning but there are almost empty. Only some local and tourist walked around there. He wanted to get photos without people in Bamboo forest. That’s why we made a plan to go early morning. I was following them as a normal tourist from entrance of bamboo forest and preparing for shooting. He asked me ‘Do you take our photos’ and this was a sign. She received the fortune cookies and found the ring. It made her super surprise and I captured the big moments. We walked around Arashiyama area after proposal and they were so friendly and happy couple. I was glad to see them and take their photos. I hope see you again in Japan or Singapore!! Thank you!!:)

I have started a VIDEO shooting finally!! I have prepared to do this for long time like practiced many times and learned how to edit video. This video shooting was amazing. I was so happy to help him for surprise proposal at Bamboo forest in Kyoto. His friends prepare some photos and board which is written ‘WILL YOU MARRY ME’ and some lights. They made a great place for proposal and we were waiting for the couple at the side of Bamboo forest.
I was taking video from when they come to proposal moment. He showed her an original video of happy messages from their friends. Proposal succeeded and everyone celebrated and then her family appeared in front of her from Singapore. This was a big surprise and all of us were happy very much.
Video is different as photos and moving memories with voice and music are great for leaving memories of travel in Japan. I am looking forward to taking video a lot and help everyone to surprise propose in Japan!!

I have a great photographer friend in Malaysia and she came to Japan and took my photo session in Kyoto. We met in Arashiyama Kyoto first time in 2018 for photo shooting. I was so happy to see them again and take their photos with my photo shooting skill which have grown up and different as 2018.
Gion area has many shrine, temple, traditional town scapes and buildings such as Yasaka Pagoda in Ninenzaka area. I took a lot of photos at many great photo spots and we talked about ourself, the best way to take photo and Japan. I really had great time and was glad to talk a lot. She gave me many advices and prised my English and shooting skills.
After sending photos, They liked the photos and posted on instagram and change her profile photo from old one to new one I took this time. I hope we can see again in Japan or Malaysia next time. Thank you so much for coming to Japan and taking my shooting tour!!:)

The family I took photos in Fushimi Inari shrine took my shooting tour in Arashiyama Kyoto again!! I had an awesome time with them in Fushimiinari shrine and was so happy to see them again. Fushimi Inari shrine is very beautiful place and Arashiyama is as beautiful as the shrine. They were wearing kimono again and different color kimono suited them so much!
Bamboo forest, Kimono forest, Togetsu bridge, Seiryoji temple, and Arashiyama mountains. There are many things to see and take photos with. We got a lot of great shots and enjoyed a shooting time together!!
Thank you so much for taking my tour for 2 days! I hope see you again in Japan or Singapore!!:)

Amon and her daughter joined my shooting tour in Kyoto. They rended Japanese kimono before a shooting at kimono rental shop by Fushimi Inari shrine and they looked so nice. The girl was very excited to wear special outfits and talked to me a lot about her, me, mom, and Japan. It was easy to have friendship and we enjoyed a shooting so much.
Fushimi Inari shrine has a ton of gates and this shrine is the most popular place in Kyoto. But there are not so much people and easy to walk and take photos with gates. I think a lot of people visit in Cherry blossoms season 2023. They liked photos I took and I was very happy to see them!!:)

I have received some message about surprise proposal shooting. They want to surprise propose their partner and want to get some photos of the moment. I am very happy to capture the moments of them and to be chosen as a photographer for that big event!!
One of the shooting was held last week in Kyoto. They rent a kimono at kimono rental shop and looked very nice and suit with Japanese sceneries of Kyoto. I took them to some photo spots like a Yasaka shrine, Maruyama park, Gion Shirakawa and Yasaka pagoda. We got many great shots like a normal photoshooting. Finally the time when he propose her, I was nervous but took many photos which he wanted. Gion area and Yasaka pagoda are very beautiful place and I was very glad to capture the moment of his surprise proposal. Thank you for taking my shooting tour and Congratulations!!!