Photo Blog | Tokyo, Photographer

I was thrilled, of course, to hear from a potential client. But, I was just as excited to see that someone actually read the content on my website. I was grateful that April's keen eye had spotted a mistake that I have, no doubt, overlooked a hundred times. For April to reach out to let me know about that tiny, missed key-stroke meant a lot to me. 

I immediately responded to April and thanked her for the message and for her editor's eye. I also let her know that I still accept a limited number of family clients between editorial assignments. We struck up a conversation and I found out that April and I had a lot in common. I also got to know a bit more about the Cook family's photography needs.

After a bit of back-and-forth, we decided to move forward with a modern, senior portrait session for Mauri, a seventeen-year-old who is just as much at home in Japan as she is America. After thinking on it for a while, I decided that Shimokitazawa would be the perfect location for Mauri's portrait session. Shimokitazawa would offer plenty of facades to work with. More, the hipster enclave has a balance of elements that would add a sense of place, which would later remind Mauri in of her time in Japan. 

On our portrait session date, I met April and her amazing kids in the thick of Shimokita. April was smiley and just as gregarious in person as she was in email. Mauri was in a good mood and siblings Asher and Hollis were as genki as they come.

Our focus of the day was naturally on Mauri. But with Hollis and Asher along for the ride, I knew that we would have enough time to make some great portraits of all of the Cook kids. After some high fives and jokes, we headed into the neighborhood and got to work. 

In the end, I delivered a massive collection of portraits to the Cook family. There were heaps of great images from our set and I was really grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a positive and energetic crew. With such a photogenic bunch, I am now looking forward to a proper family session with the Cook family here in Tokyo.

Are you searching for a photographer in Japan who can produce some not-so-Pinterest portraits of you or a family member? If so, I would be honored to serve you. Learn more about my portrait services and then reach out to book a session. ​

Though he was born in Japan and spent his formative years in America, Aki's Australian accent comes through. But Aki, like anyone else, can't be defined by where he was born or the accent of his voice. Instead, I like to think of Aki as a charismatic entrepreneur making a name for himself in Tokyo's dog-eat-dog business world.

Aki is at the point in his life where he is really starting to get his ducks in a row and has laid the foundation for a new business. Here in Japan, just getting the groundwork of a business endeavor in place is a feat in itself. If you have ever done business in the Land of the Rising Sun, you will likely understand the multitude of tasks and boxes to be checked. While Aki had completed most of the important steps, he realized that there was a critical task he had yet to complete. Aki needed to have a professional portrait shoot. 

Here in Japan, corporate portraits are taken for a variety of reasons. Frequently a portrait is added to the ever-important business card and now, more than ever, professionals are using portraiture on websites to enhance personal brands. Regardless of how the portrait is used, most professionals do decide to move forward with a headshot or personal branding photography session.

For the Japanese market, corporate portraits tend to be relatively standard. You know the shot, a professional against a monochrome backdrop paired with the "you can trust me" expression. Of course I was going to get that shot for Aki. But, I also knew that I would be able to produce a variety of images for the soon-to-be titan of industry (some traditional headshots as well as some more artistic images leaning towards the environmental portrait end of the spectrum). My goal was to produce a collection that Aki could use in both personal and professional realms.

Aki and I planned a shoot that would suit his needs. We decided that Zojo-ji Temple in downtown Tokyo would be the ideal location for our session because of its traditional architecture and its Edo period history. Not only does Zozo-ji have beautiful facades, it is also a symbol of Japanese advancement. 

In the end, I was thrilled to deliver a varied set of images to Aki and was honored to take part in his entrepreneurial efforts.

I have always loved meeting people, even if it is just a brief or chance encounter. One of the things that I miss most about living in an English speaking country is conversation with strangers. Even as a kid I would "foam at the mouth" and chat with bus drivers, sales clerks, kids on the curb, anyone really. Those small, tiny moments of conversation and connection (even if they are brief) are some of my favorite things in life.

Meeting new people used to come naturally. Now meeting people and establishing a connection isn't easy for me. For the past fifteen years, I have had an ever increasing amount of anxiety.

Back in my twenties, I thought that the anxiety was limited to travel. But the older I get, the more I realize the far reaches of my general anxiety disorder (GAD). To be clear, my disorder is common. I am not alone. Millions of people suffer from anxiety and the crippling power of panic. But knowing that I am not alone does little curb anxiety attacks when they come.

What am I anxious about? Well, many things. I am an overly anxious driver. I am get sweaty in crowded places. I get nervous for seemingly no reason at all. The list goes on and on. But, those fears and stress inducing times are just the disorder. The anxiety isn't me.

As a portrait photographer, having GAD makes my job more difficult. But, it doesn't make it impossible. A portrait photographer's primary job is meet a subject, establish rapport, and make stunning images (often in a short amount of time). This can be tricky, especially if the photographer has anxiety around meeting strangers.

More often than not, folks contact me and inquire about my portrait photography services. They want or need to be photographed. Being approached is, by far, much more comfortable than approaching others. 

My portrait clients aren't the only subjects I want to photograph. Every day I see people who would make for wonderful portrait subjects. Most of the time, I take a quick mental photograph of the person and go on my way.

I rarely approach others, introduce myself, and ask the person to pose for me. I don't want to offend anyone with my solicitation. So, I hesitate and let moments (and images) pass me by. My twenty-year-old self wouldn't like this. So I do what I can to stand up to the negative self talk and social phobias, refusing to allow the anxiety to get the best of me.

For the past few years, I have made a concerted effort to fight against my sweat inducing demons and have pressed myself to say hello strangers and to ask others if I can make their photo (as long as the encounter feels natural, casual, and respectful). 

What does this have to do with Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe, or the portraits of the beautiful woman featured in this post?  I am getting to that... ​

After putting my supplies in the trunk, I hopped in the rental car and started the engine. Before pulling out, I reflected on the everyday situation. I had missed the perfect opportunity to introduce myself and to ask if I can make someone's portrait. I realized that my social anxiety had robbed me of yet another chance to be the best photographer I can be. But photography (and selfishness) aside, I realized that I had missed another chance to engage with a stranger, to connect with a fellow human.

I killed the engine and marched back into the store. Again, I was meet with a warm welcome and friendly smile. The employee then kinda turned her head, giving me the, "Didn't you just come in here?" look. 

I introduced myself and handed her my business card. She, in turn, offered her name and a handshake. I was mindful not to take too much of Kaitlin's time and simply told her that I wanted to make her photo. If she wanted that to happen, she should feel free to contact me. If not, she should feel free to recycle my business card. ​I left... again.

Back in the car, I was proud of myself for standing firm against my social anxiety. But, I was also a bit upset that I had solely focused on my own wants (making portraits). I wished that the brief encounter hadn't been so one-sided. Knowing that I was over analyzing the situation, I head to Lake Tahoe.

I didn't expect to hear back from Kaitlin. But, to my surprise, she connected me and was actually interested in a portrait session. She mentioned that she was trying to say "yes" to the things that came to her in life instead of pushing them away. I was glad that she contacted me and, luckily, had some free time the next evening.

We met at Sand Harbor, one of the most scenic spots in Tahoe (or anywhere in the world for that matter). For an hour or so, Kaitlin and I made some portraits. We got the chance to have the conversation that didn't happen when we originally met. We just had a good time. 

In the end, I was thrilled to be able to make some images with Kaitlin. But more, I was happy to have made a human connection without feeling any anxiety at all. The whole situation was positive reinforcement, encouraging me to continue to fight against my anxieties. The encounter gave me a boost of confidence as I try to gain a bit of my younger self back. For that, I owe Kaitlin my thanks. 

I was recently contacted by Alex, a 26-year-old lad who had relocated to Tokyo.  For those just arriving, finding work in the Japanese capital can be a daunting task (especially without a basic level of Japanese language). Until Alex upped his Japanese game, he knew he needed to explore multiple employment possibilities.

Alex soon realized that there are several opportunities for young creatives that don't require proficiency in Japanese. One of those opportunities is modeling. Alex was also smart to know that he, at least, needed a couple creative headshots and portraits to help get his foot in the door at a modeling or creative agency.

That's where I come in... 

A couple of weeks after receiving Alex's initial email,  I found myself in his flat setting up backdrops and light stands. For the next couple of hours we worked together to create a handful of images that Alex could use to shop himself to a range of potential employers.

I really enjoyed working with Alex and wish him the best of luck here in Tokyo!

Are you in need of a set of images that you can use for a variety of purposes? If so, contact me today to set up your own portrait session. 

I was immediately impressed with Patrick. In his introductory inquiry, Patrick  articulated his vision for an environmental portrait session. But more, Patrick gave me some background about who he is and why he was the ready for professional portraits here in Tokyo.

Patrick was quite candid with me in his correspondence. Growing up in Texas, Patrick was  an Asian-American with "not-so-rugged features." For the longest time, Patrick tried his best to conform to the standards of masculinity around him but always felt like he fell short.

At 26, Patrick moved to Tokyo. Here, after two months of experiencing the Japanese standard of beauty and masculinity, he felt more confident and accepting of his physical self. Patrick realized that he has entered his prime and wanted to capture his newfound sense of confidence. 

Patrick is the kind of client I love to work with. Not only did he articulate his wants and needs for his photographic product , he also articulated his vulnerabilities. Honestly, I love working with those who have found a new sense of self and making portraits for clients during a transitional time in their life is an incredible honor.

After hearing Patrick's story and learning as much as I could about him, I crafted an environmental portrait session that would highlight his new found sense of confidence. I wanted to ensure that our session would produce a variety of images for Patrick so that he could use the images for a number of purposes. 

In the end, I couldn't have asked for a better portrait session or for a better client. We managed to shoot a strong collection of looks.  But more, my time with Patrick reminded me of what portrait photography is all about. Portrait photography is about connecting with your client, making great images, and having a good time. 

Does Patrick's story resonate with you? Are you entering a new phase of confidence in your life? If so, contact me today so that we can begin discussing your headshot or environmental portrait session.  

I try to make the most of my time in any place. Last summer was no exception. While "home" in Asheville, North Carolina, I kept my camera warm in between visits with family and friends.

One of my favorite portrait shoots from this time was with my friend Casey Puhr. I always love working with Casey. Not only is she a beautiful model, she is also smart, relaxed, and an excellent conversationalist. She also has the ability to keep calm when things don't go her way (read more about that here). Needless to say, I am always chomping at the bit to work with her.

For this particular portrait session, Casey and I headed to Asheville Glamping, a wonderful retreat just a stone's throw away downtown Asheville. It was the perfect location for a portrait shoot, full of vintage Airstreams and a quirky tipi. It also helps Joanna Cahill, Asheville Glamping's owner, is a huge supporter of local artists and creatives. 

Casey and I spent our afternoon exploring the beautiful property and making some stunning images. I can't wait to make it back to Asheville to see what kind of madness Casey and I can get up to next. 

Are you thinking of having portraits made? Be part of my summer schedule when I am next in Asheville! Contact me today to schedule your portrait session in Asheville, Tokyo, or beyond.

Heather is an actor and a model. She is a also a talented stylist. Heather was in a pickle. Her headshot portfolio was a bit outdated and her agent quickly needed her book to be updated. She needed something fresh, something for her agent to show casting directors. 
Heather and her agent are smart. They know that they having stunning portraits in your book are essential to landing industry jobs.

I was happy to step up to the plate and work with Heather for an afternoon to create the images she needed. I didn't feel any pressure at all with the quick deadline. I knew during our short session together that I wouldn't have to edit the images much at all. Heather is beautiful and felt comfortable in front of the camera. I have no doubt that many of those casting directors will be calling her. I was honored to work with her.

Are you in need of new headshots? If so, reach out today to discuss your photography needs. 

One of the best parts about being a professional photographer is meeting people. Starting out, I was always nervous before a portrait session. For about a decade, I have been socially anxious. This, obviously, was a major hurdle as a budding portrait photographer. Before a shoot, my palms would become sweaty and my heart rate increased, a mini panic attack before each and every job. But after years of meeting clients, those jitters have gradually gone away. 

The tables have turned and I have a different feeling going into shoots. Now,  I tend to get excited. Before any session with a new client, I daydream about them. Who is _______? What makes them tick? What are they in love with? What scares them? I create little stories to go along with the online communication I've had with the client. 

I usually spend the first part of any session getting to know a person. I want to connect on a deeper level with them and establish a relationship that goes beyond the client/subject dynamic. Some of  the connections are surface level: Musical tastes. travel, or love for southern food. But other connections run deeper and I find that I am endeared to a client, that we could possibly even establish a friendship once our contracted time together had past. 

Maddy showed up to our session wearing all black. I could dig it, as my wardrobe mainly consists of black, heavy metal t-shirts and grey jeans. She was tattooed and had dreads, the female version of me from 2005. I must admit that I judged Maddy by her appearance (a dangerous game) in a positive light. We chatted about progressive metal music and about how it was difficult for creatives to make a living. I warmed up to this young, intelligent woman quickly. She just had a good vibe. 

Our conversation gradually veered towards our portrait session. Maddy was keen to go with the flow (which always makes for a great portrait experience) and to just shoot whatever came to mind. Maddy's relaxed attitude made me enjoy her even more. Her dispositions and overall affect placed her in the "perfect client" category. 

In the end, our hour-long portrait session yielded heaps of great material and I can only hope to have the opportunity to work with Maddy again. 

Are you interested in a relaxed portrait session? What are you waiting for? Contact me today to schedule your own portrait shoot.