I do not accept collabs and apply the same rate for everyone to ensure fairness for all customers and for myself - to ensure I get adequate compensation for my time, labor and expertise. I understand that in some countries/ culture it may be normal to negotiate pricing; please understand this is considered rude in Japan. Please do hire me if you think what I offer is good value for my rate

For cherry blossom season (late March–early April) or peak autumn foliage, 3 months ahead is ideal since good time slots go quickly. Outside of those windows, a few weeks' notice is usually enough, though earlier is always safer for your preferred date and time.

Yes, this is one of my specialties — several hundred surprise proposals captured, with discreet positioning so your partner has no idea until the moment. I also offer help planning the location and timing if you want a second opinion. See the surprise proposal page for how it works.

I shoot across Japan — Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Okinawa and more — either myself for longer sessions, or through trusted local partner photographers with a similar style for shorter sessions in those areas.

I'm not a kimono rental provider myself, but I'm happy to point you toward reliable options once your session is booked. For surprise proposals, I also offer a separate planning add-on covering venue, flowers, and post-proposal celebration logistics.

All reviews are collected on Trustpilot, an independent review site (currently 4.9/5 from 130+ verified clients), not just curated testimonials on my own site — you can read them independently at trustpilot.com/review/kanp.photography.

All of the above — solo travel portraits, couples, families, and proposals are all regular sessions for me, not an afterthought add-on.

Absolutely yes! Family sessions are one of my most requested shoot types, including large, multi-generation families. I keep sessions relaxed and fun rather than posed and stiff; the best results still depend a bit on how prepped and comfortable the kids are, so I share tips on that during planning.

Simply submit an inquiry through my Contact page with your preferred date, location, group size and plans. If I'm available, I'll discuss the details with you and send the booking and payment information.

It depends on the location and what you're planning. Casual photography is generally fine as long as it doesn't disturb others, block public access or cause any nuisance to the property.

However, permits or prior permission may be required for wedding/formal attire, large tour groups, event, signs, decorations, props or other special setups.

We will proceed rain or shine, unless in case of heavy rain/ thunderstorm/hurricane. Light rain can actually create cinematic photos with neon reflections, especially around Shibuya or Shinjuku. With creativity, willingness and clear umbrellas, we can still make uniquely amazing photos! There are quite a few good things you can get from rain: 1) guaranteed good lighting as the cloud blocks harsh lighting, 2) rain drives away the crowd, allowing for clear long shot normally impossible in crowded places in Tokyo, and 3) various reflections/ angles, providing varieties of angles for your photos :) in case of heavy rain/ hurricane/ thunder storm, we may reschedule as our availabilities allow. Check out the rainy days gallery.

I created a location recommendation tool where you can find my recommendation based on the scene you prefer and nature of the shoot. They also include sample shoots on each location. You can try it here. For surprise proposal, I find that usually parks/ nature offer the best setting. Additionally you can see my thoughts on this post.

Due to bulk of my shoots being shorter in nature, I often have multiple sessions in one day, which require me to do proper planning between sessions. As such I need clients to decide on the starting time, number of hours, and location at the point of booking. Should you decide to extend, please let me know in advance, I’m happy to accommodate if I still have availability. Regrettably I cannot accommodate extension on the day. Please note that change of package to shorter duration after initial booking may have charge as per my T&C.

I generally recommend smart casual clothing, but also depends on the scene. For family/ big group, it would nice to have a common color theme or common accessories eg. similar scarf etc (doesn’t have to be identical/ uniform). I put together some tips on this page.

Sure, you are free to do whatever you want during the session. Please note, though, that any time taken will count against your total shooting time. As such, for shorter session (1-2 hours), to maximize your session time, I highly suggest something you can switch around easily such as scarf, hat, cardigan, etc rather than changing the whole outfit.

Yes and No, please inform me in advance. Many venues in Japan have strict rules on bridal, pre-wedding and costume photography. Some prohibit it entirely, while others require prior permission and additional fees. Such attire may also raise concerns about commercial photography, even for personal shoots.

I only accept Half/ Full Day packages (4+ hours) for these sessions. Advance notice is required. If you arrive in such attire without prior notice, we may need to relocate, with time lost deducted from your session. If the shoot must be cancelled, the full session fee remains payable.

No, but I can provide you recommendation for such providers after we confirm the booking. In case you’re interested in using their service, you will be responsible for making the booking yourselves.

No. I only provide a complete assistance service for a surprise proposal including venue hunting, restaurant booking, arranging her favorite flower bouquet, etc. for an additional US$100. For photos with kimono etc, I would also be happy to provide recommendations, but clients are ultimately responsible for making the booking themselves.

Yes, I provide service outside Tokyo too but for a minimum half day or one day shoot, depending on location and it will cost extra travel fee. For shorter session in popular areas across Japan (Mt. Fuji/ Kawaguchiko/ Hakone, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Beppu/ Yufuin, Shirakawago, Okinawa and more) I have local partner photographers with similar style as me, so please do enquire :)

If you want a landmark/ iconic spot, usually most spots will have only 1 iconic spot. You can see them on my location recommendation tool here or my surprise proposal article here . Please note for seasonal stuffs like sakura season, everything depends on the blooming situation on the day which will change every time, so we will just have to decide on the day. Ultimately, while I can give you some recommendations which I have outlined on my posts, it is your proposal and you should do the research yourself as well. You can run it through me and we will work from there.

It depends on the location. Weekdays can be quieter, but some locations can still be busy depending on the time of day and season. With my experience and knowledge of Tokyo, I can choose the right timing and approach for each location to minimize crowds and deliver clean, natural-looking photos with as few people in the frame as possible.

Travel time is included in the shooting time. Otherwise, you can pay $1 per minute for non shooting travel time if you want to maximize the shooting time, I will give you the quote for the standard travel time once we fix the route.

Please look up directions and familiarize yourself with transportations to the meeting spot in advance. If you arrive late for the session, any time that has passed will be lost and we will shoot for the remaining amount of time. In case of unforeseen circumstances/ emergencies, please let me know as soon as you can.

Sorry I don’t, and I also do not accept session together with another videographer/photographer as I want my clients to focus on me/ my instructions.

I have experience working with large families with kids :) While I can suggest everyone’s poses, at the end of the day, the end result also depends on whether the parents can control their kids, as I cannot dictate the kids’ expressions and moods. Family cooperation is essential for good shots - I find well prepared parents who dress everyone comfortably in similar theme, get their kids to sleep beforehand and fed their kids before the session so they are not hungry/ cranky, or bribe the kids with toys/ treats if they behave well on the shoot as having the best shots.

I usually deliver your edited photos within 24–72 hours after the shoot.

For surprise proposals, I’ll also send a few sneak peeks on the same day so you can relive and share the moment right away.

During peak periods, such as cherry blossom season and year-end, please allow up to 7 business days for delivery.

Sorry, but I do not provide RAW files to ensure the quality of the final products. I take many similar shots during the session, the same scene but with different settings, perspectives, expressions, and will pick the best one for you. I also want to ensure the photos turn out the way I intended them to be by editing them myself. For more details with examples, please see this blog post.

Your photos are professionally edited to refine exposure, color temperature, sharpness and perspective (straightening) while preserving a natural look.

I don't alter body shape, facial structure, clothing or other physical features. Instead of digital retouching, I use angles, perspective, composition and natural posing to help you look your best in the photos.

I have my own editing style and reserve the right to edit the final images according to my creative vision. Customized edits and revisions are not offered.

A photograph is a flat, two-dimensional image, but we would like to create a sense of three dimensions by using depth of field to isolate the subject, reduce distractions, and allow more light into the camera sensor in low-light situations. Professional photographers blur the background for several reasons, primarily related to compositions, creativity and the overall impact of the image. In case you prefer images that are sharp across the frame just like something taken from a smartphone, please let me know in advance.

Due to the need to use a high ISO setting in low-light conditions or when capturing moving subjects, images may contain some ‘noise.’ Please understand that the results of outdoor photography may differ from indoor or studio photography, where lighting setups and controlled environments are available. Although images taken with a high ISO may not appear very sharp when zoomed in at 100–200%, they will look perfectly fine on social media or in a photo book.