Photo Blog | Tokyo, Photographer

The last time I wrote about my son was a reflection of our first year together. Since then, more than 2.5 years and more milestones than I can possibly count have past. Throughout this time I have been fortunate enough to witness Milo's first time riding his bike down a little hill, his first time drawing a picture, his first hamburger. We have shared his first real tantrum, his first time seeing a monkey, his first time interacting with a ladybug, his first mini-golf game, his first time saying "I'm sorry" or "I love you" without being prompted. The list goes on.

One first that really kicked me in the face was Milo's first haircut. For the past years, my wife and I held out on the haircut. Selfishly, we didn't want Milo to even have a trim. His delicate blonde curls were just too damn cute. 

The day finally came when Milo independently asked for a haircut. We knew that this request would eventually come. For months Milo was curious about haircuts, quizzing us about the process every time we passed the salons in nearby Kichijoji. He was naturally curious about the shops hosting draped customers with phones in hand and the scissor-belt stylists working their magic with sheer clippers.

Time is passing, but it isn't gone. I am doing my best to live in the present. To enjoy every second with my son is the best rebuke I can muster to oppose those nagging, brutally truthful whispers. 

The notion of firsts and lasts is shortsighted, hyper-focused. I am giving the abstract concept of time too much power over me. In the end, it doesn't matter how much time we have together, how many firsts or lasts we share.  What matters is that I treat our time as a precious commodity, each second together as a unique opportunity for potency, for love, for life. 

Running enthusiasts have their eye on the Tokyo Marathon. Not only is Tokyo on everyone's bucket list as a travel destination, the marathon is one of Asia's premier competitive events for runners. Because of this, an average of 38,000 athletes flood the Japanese capital every year for one of the most anticipated street races in the world. It's a big deal.

The Tokyo Marathon isn't just a foot race with a cash prize. The week-long event has charitable components and offers family sprints. There are week-long expos and "friendship runs." For serious competitors, there is more at stake. This year's Tokyo Marathon served as selection trial for the 2019 IAAF World Championship in Doha, effected the Marathon Grand Championship Series, was the Japanese Olympic Trial for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and was a portion of the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series XII. 

While I wasn't on hand to capture runners from all over the world hustling through the streets, I was lucky enough to provide event photography coverage of the marathon's afterparty held at Happo-en, one of Tokyo's most exclusive event venues. From Sumo wrestling demos to fresh sashimi, awa odori dancers to live calligraphy performances, the lavish party was accented with iconic cultural elements from Japan. Without a doubt, the party was the perfect capstone to an amazing week of marathon events.  

I was honored to work with the event coordinators from DMC Japan, Happo-en staff, and all of the race participants who chose to party the night away. I am already looking forward to next year's marathon celebration. 

A few weeks ago I heard from Eia and Tanner, a recently engaged couple from Utah. The pair were about to get on a plane to come to Japan for the first time. Eia's inquiry said:

Hi, Andy! My fiancé and I are traveling to Japan in a few days and would love to get some engagement photos done while we are there to use in our “save the date” invites. I know it’s super late notice but do you have any availability? 

This will be our first time visiting Japan. We definitely want a session in an urban setting rather than a natural environment. ​We haven’t really thought about locations. What are your suggestions? We are hoping you have some recommendations. We'd prefer some locations that showcase the culture of Japan. Looking forward to hearing from you! 

I was happy that Eia had reached out when she did. Luckily I did have a single date during the couple's vacation to Tokyo and hoped that the couple would take the slot.  After some chatting, Eia and Tanner decided to book a two-hour casual couples portrait session. 

Did I have any recommendations for locations? You bet I did. Knowing that Eia and Tanner wanted an urban environment, I thought it might be best to take them to the "belly of the beast." I suggested that we spend our session time taking a loop around Shinjuku Station, the world's busiest commuter hub. Eia and Tanner loved the idea. 

A few days later, E&T braved the late afternoon jet lag and met me outside of Shinjuku station. For the next two hours, we had a great time making portraits around the station, in the famous Omoide Yokocho, through the seedy streets of Kabukicho, in the thick of Tokyo's iconic crosswalks, and in the cramped spaces of Golden Gai. I couldn't have asked for more relaxed clients or a better evening creating pre-wedding portraits in Tokyo. 

I heard from Jonathan in late 2018. His inquiry said:

Andy - I hope this message finds you well! I have a younger brother who is currently living in Tokyo. He recently got engaged to his long-time boyfriend. To celebrate such a wonderful and momentous occasion, I wanted to book a couples photo session for him and his fiancée. In searching for a photographer based in Tokyo, I came across your webpage and I am very impressed with your credentials and quality of your photographs! To that end, could you please provide me with a quote for a couples session? Looking forward to hearing back from you!

I was grateful that Jonathan gave me a bit of backstory in his initial correspondence. I also loved how thoughtful Jonathan was to think of his brother. Jonathan realized that gifting a photography session is one of the kindest, most generous gifts you can give and, after receiving a couple's photography session quote, he decided to book a two-hour portrait session for his brother.

It is always a pleasure receiving an inquiry regarding a government event. It is especially nice when the Government of South Australia needs an event photographer in Tokyo. I love working with the crew from Adelaide. The GSA staff is witty and kind. The GSA events are well planned and are, frankly,  just a good time all around (the wine and lamb, some of South Australia's finest exports, are always on offer).

The Government of South Australia recently opened a new Trade and Investment Office in Tokyo and I made it out to the Australian Embassy to photograph the ribbon cutting ceremony. But, the day wasn't complete without celebrating the offices' opening Aussie style. After the ceremony, we moved from the embassy to Happo-en, one of Tokyo's finest event venues. 

Throughout the banquet, quests were treated to delicious plates of succulent lamb and fatty tuna, world-class wine, a peak at new trade opportunities, and excellent conversation. As always, it was an honor to serve the Government of South Australia. I congratulate them on the opening of their new office and the business opportunities that are on the horizon here in Japan.

I am always excited to hear from pre-wedding clients who will be coming to Japan. This past Valentine's Day,  I woke up to an inquiry from Amber. She wrote:

My fiancé Justin and I will be in Tokyo in early April for a wedding getaway and honeymoon. My dream is to have beautiful pictures taken with cherry blossoms in the background of some of the shots and want to wear my wedding gown. I am looking for the perfect portrait photographer and am hoping you can help us with this. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you. ​

Amber's email wasn't unusual. In fact, I receive similar messages throughout the year inquiring about springtime sakura sessions. I totally understand the fascination with Japan's sakura and do by best to accommodate as many requests for that special time of year. By February, I am usually fully booked for the upcoming sakura season, the two or three-week period bookending the full bloom forecast. 

Still, requests for family, individual, and pre-wedding portraits keep pouring in through February and March. Luckily, I still had two portrait slots available in my calendar during Amber and Justin's honeymoon in Tokyo.

I warned Amber, just like I warn all my sakura clients, that booking at date in early April doesn't mean that the cherry blossoms will be out. Some clients reserve slots too early in the season, some too late. As long as Amber and Justin knew that I couldn't play God, I would be willing to plan an amazing afternoon of portraits for the honeymooners that would yield an amazing set of portraits with, or without, cherry blossoms. 

With their date reserved, Amber and Justin took me up on my offer to have a pre-shoot consultation. A few days after Amber and Justin's original inquiry, we video-chatted about their hopes and session goals. I also asked a few personal questions. I also suggested adding more locations so that our session didn't solely focus on the fickle cherry blossoms. With a better understanding of who Justin and Amber were as a couple, I was able to begin planning a custom portrait session.

​Amber and Justin decided to trust my judgement and let me sort out a route that corresponded to their dispositions. I planed an afternoon in some of Tokyo's less frequented destinations, a route that would yield sakura imagery (if the little flowers were in bloom) and that would allow Amber and Justin to see a bit a Tokyo that most visitors never see. My plan for the newly wed couple included ancient temples, suburban neighborhoods, and a vast public park that few locals (and even fewer tourists) ever visit. 

In the end, I had an amazing afternoon of portraits with Justin and Amber. The weather was perfect and, luckily, the sakura were still on the trees. The couple were as easy going and relaxed as they seemed in our pre-shoot meeting and I felt honored to be selected as their honeymoon photographer. 

It's freezing outside. I am bundled up in my office with a hot cup of coffee and have a jacket over my sweater (my olderJapanese-style apartment has very poor insulation). While I love all seasons, these temperatures are making me long for the warmer months. 

Even though it is chilly, I am grateful for the winter. In February, portrait session bookings calm down and I can enjoy a bit of a break. With the "slow season" in full effect, I have the opportunity to complete a lot of administrative tasks, shoot some personal work, and prepare for the upcoming spring portrait season. The lull also gives me the chance to share some work from last year's fall sessions. 

One of my favorite family portrait sessions last year was with the Mittelstedts. We met at the Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum (ETOAAM), one of the coolest places in western Tokyo. The outdoor museum is one of those locations that is just fun to explore.

Because of fire, floods, earthquakes and war, Tokyo has lost many historical buildings from the Edo period. Even now, the remaining Edo structures are being eroded due to social and economic changes in Japan. Realizing this, the ETOAAM actively relocates period buildings in the hope of preserving artifacts of cultural heritage. 

Having a family portrait session in a place like this might seem quite odd. But, in reality, it is a wonderful location. The museum has enough to see and do to keep everyone entertained and the various Edo façades offer some of the nicest backdrops a photographer could ask for. When the Mittelstedts mentioned that they wanted a casual family session, I knew that the ETOAAM was the perfect spot. 

For a couple of hours, the Mittelstedts and I had a blast and I hope that our portrait session last autumn was the first of many.