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

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.

We will proceed rain or shine, unless in case of heavy rain/ thunderstorm/hurricane. Besides those, the show will go on. 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.

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. Many places in Tokyo have strict rules about pre wedding photography; Some places outright do not allow it and some places require an application. I may need to get a permission in advance and it may incur an extra fee. I will only accept Half/ Full day package (4 hours and beyond) if you plan to wear a wedding dress/ any other formal wear. I had an experience getting kicked out from a venue due to my client showing up in a national wedding costume without informing me in advance. If you turn up in such attire without informing me, we will either have to move to another place , the time will be borne against your session time, or if we have to cancel, the full amount of the session will still be 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 (Sapporo, Fuji Kawaguchi-ko, Kyoto, Osaka) I have partner photographers with similar style as me, so please do enquire :)

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.

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.