BLOG

Photoshooting in Arashiyama, Kyoto and Nara park!!!

Posted 04/07/202304/03/2023 Manu AkamatsuPosted in KYOTO, NARA

This is a continuation of the previous customer I updated about. After the photoshoot in Osaka, he also booked photoshoots in Arashiyama, Kyoto and Nara Park. It made me very happy that he liked my photos. Arashiyama has many attractions such as the bamboo forest, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Kimono Forest, and he seemed to enjoy it a lot. There were many people wearing kimonos along the way, so we took photos together, and it seemed to have become a very good memory for him.

We gathered early in the morning to take photos at Nara Park. There were many deer wanting food, so I was able to take pictures of him feeding them, and it was good to capture his happy expression and the moment when he was surrounded by deer. A baby deer approached us during the shoot, which was a very rare scene because they usually don’t get too close to humans. The baby deer eating quietly was so cute that we both got excited.

Thank you for booking my photo shoots many times, it was really enjoyable every time. I am looking forward to seeing you again when you come back to Japan:)

Photoshoot tour in Osaka Kyoto Tokyo Nara | Photoguider-Japan

Surprise proposal shooting with Cherry blossoms in full bloom!!

Posted 04/03/202304/03/2023 Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

Finally, cherry blossom season has arrived! I went to take photos of a surprise proposal under the cherry blossoms! While I was waiting and preparing at Osaka Castle Park early in the morning, I felt the arrival of spring as I admired the full bloom cherry blossoms. Spring in Japan is the best.
Since my partner and I were sharing our real-time location, the tension increased as the couple approached us. Our plan was for him to ask me to take a photo and then propose while I was taking the photo.
We approached the couple naturally at the shooting location and wandered around, waiting for them to approach us. After they asked me to take a photo for them, I pretended to be Japanese to hide the fact that I was a photographer. As planned, he proposed to her, and we successfully captured a very happy moment under the full bloom cherry blossoms. They looked truly happy, and even I, who was taking the photos, couldn’t help but smile with happiness.
Afterward, we walked around Osaka Castle Park and took various photos, then moved to Namba for street photography. They were interested in everything I explained about Osaka, and I was really happy about that. They were the kindest, most polite, and friendliest couple I’ve ever met. I was so happy to have the opportunity to take photos of their proposal. Thank you so much!!!

Travel photoshoot in Osaka at day and night!!

Posted 04/01/202303/25/2023 Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

I had two photo shoots in Osaka, during the day and at night. A guy booked both sessions, and we got many great shots with nice backgrounds around Osaka. We first met at Osaka Castle Park and walked around to different places. Ume blossoms were in bloom and they were very beautiful for taking photos with. He had visited before and knew about the flowers, which I didn’t know. We took some amazing photos with the Ume blossoms. He was very good at posing and I liked his style, including his hair, clothes, and glasses. I took many photos of Osaka Castle from different angles. His favorite photos were the ones I took in front of the castle, and my favorite photo was the one where he was sitting on a corner of blocks.

After the first shoot, we met again at night in the Namba area and got many great night shots of him. Night time made him look even cooler and I captured some great moments with the city lights of Osaka. I was very happy that he liked all of my photos. We also went to Nara and Kyoto, and I will post those photos later!

Two families photoshooting in Kyoto!!

Posted 03/29/202303/25/2023 Manu AkamatsuPosted in KYOTO

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!!

Surprise proposal photo-shooting in Gion , Kyoto!!

Posted 03/26/202303/25/2023 Manu AkamatsuPosted in KYOTO

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!

Surprise proposal photoshoot in Nara park, Japan!!

Posted 03/24/202303/13/2023 Manu AkamatsuPosted in NARA

I had another surprise proposal photoshoot. Lately, I have been getting a lot of requests for surprise proposal photoshoot and I’m surprised at how many people are proposing while on a travel in Japan. At the same time, I am grateful for the opportunity to do such an important job.
For this proposal in Nara, we decided to use a temple floating on a pond called Ukimi-do as the location. Of course she didn’t know about the proposal however it seemed like he hired a photographer to take photos with deers because she loves them. They looked enjoy to feed deers and I capture many great shots of like her surprise expression and smiling face. The couple was always smiling, whether they were walking or talking, which Madame smile too while taking the photos. We also found a place with beautiful plum blossoms along the way, which became my favorite photos of the shoot.
Proposal has been succeed. He was so happy with her reaction that seemed even happier than he expected. It was fun and heartwarming to capture the happy couple’s photos, and I am glad they enjoyed the proposal, photography and feeding the deers. I think it will be a great memory for them. Congratulations!!

Family photo-shooting in Gion area, Kyoto Japan!!

Posted 03/17/202303/12/2023 Manu AkamatsuPosted in KYOTO

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!!

Family photoshoot in Namba Osaka, Japan!!

Posted 03/10/202303/12/2023 Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

A very friendly family joined my photo shooting tour in Namba. Namba is the central area of Osaka city where many tourists stay. There are a lot of restaurants, souvenir shops, and it is easy to get to popular sightseeing spots like Universal Studios, Kaiyukan aquarium, and Osaka Castle Park from here.
The photo shoot was only one hour, so we didn’t have much time, but we enjoyed it together. I took many photos of the whole family, the sisters, the couple, and individual photos at different locations. They liked the places I took them to and were interested in Japanese culture. They especially liked the temple. I had a great time with them and hope to see them again soon!

Surprise proposal at Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto, Japan!!

Posted 03/06/202302/26/2023 Manu AkamatsuPosted in KYOTO

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!!:)

Surprise proposal photo-shooting at Bamboo forest in Arashiyama, Kyoto!!!

Posted 03/01/202302/26/2023 Manu AkamatsuPosted in KYOTO

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!!:)

Video shooting of surprise proposal in Kyoto, Japan!!

Posted 02/24/202302/26/2023 Manu AkamatsuPosted in KYOTO

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!!

A honeymoon photo-shooting at night in Osaka, Japan!

Posted 02/19/202302/18/2023 Manu AkamatsuPosted in OSAKA

A couple took my night photo shooting tour in Namba. They came to Japan for their honeymoon and I took many lovely shots with neons in Osaka. Amerikamura area, Dotonbori, Hozenji temple, and some wall arts, Namba area has a lot of beautiful places for taking photos. I usually took my guests to less people places where only local people know and I was happy because they liked these places and my photos. I recommended some restaurants in Osaka and I hope it helped their travel. Osaka has great foods and I want everyone to enjoy this nice city with delicious Japanese local foods!!:)

The best place to visit in Gion, Kyoto!!

Posted 02/16/202302/16/2023 Manu AkamatsuPosted in KYOTO

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!!:)

Family photo shooting with kimono in Arashiyama, Kyoto!!!

Posted 02/09/202301/29/2023 Manu AkamatsuPosted in KYOTO

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!!:)

Add LINE friends with QR code