Aries and Rinka’s Japan Engagement Shoot

Jeff and I looked forward to Aries and Rinka’s engagement session in Japan for months. We had plans to shoot in Kyoto and spent a lot of time looking at different locations online. We were hoping for cherry blossoms, but it proved to be just too early still. The engagement shoot was a day before their wedding, and we had to scrap our plans to shoot in Kyoto the night before and stick to Osaka because of time constraints. Aaand on the day of the shoot, it rained. Jeff and I only had one small umbrella between us. Man. We couldn’t catch a break. My heart sank a little. But my husband, always the unflappable one, was still convinced this would be one of our best shoots ever. So I went with that.

This is one of the reasons why I married him. He gives me exactly what I need when I need it the most. Because of him, I was able to take this shot. We were between sets and I was shooting trees when Aries moved and I saw this frame happen from the corner of my eye a split-second before it actually did. This photograph makes me ridiculously happy every time I see it.

Instead of running from or working around the rain, we went with it and worked it in. Japan in spring rain and soft light, and a beautiful Japanese bride the day before her wedding. It was a different kind of beauty, something I’ll carry with me forever. And I am reminded once again that it’s never just how the world is, but how you see it. I have never fallen so madly in love with a place as I have then. Aries and Rinka were all sorts of wonderful. We were all soggy and cold, but it didn’t matter one bit. We had the best time. It was like being around friends.

Trimming this post down to less than 70 photos was painful, but I had to or it would take forever to load on browsers. Hope you guys enjoy the photos as much as we did taking them. Cheers, and here’s to love. :)


Comments

5 responses to “Aries and Rinka’s Japan Engagement Shoot”

  1. Jeff/Lisa, Absolutely love the pics as usual. I’ve been a quiet fan for a while now. You all actually inspired me to go to photography school.

    I’ve been curious about some things and thought I’d ask… How much direction do you all give to your clients? Some pictures seem to be posed but others seem like you just have them walking around interacting with each other. Can you give me a little information on how you do what you do?

    Again I can’t stress enough… Absloultely love your work!!!

  2. Hi, Ben! Thank you! It depends. For weddings, we prefer not to direct much. For engagement sessions, a photographer really has to direct a bit. How much depends on 1) the couple and 2) the activity. Less directing for more active shoots, at least for us. We always lean towards relaxed portraits so that’s how we pose couples, but we’re always on the look out for the in-betweens: a smile, a look, a giggle, an outright laugh… we live for the in-betweens. :) I think a lot of it has to do with the photographer’s rapport with the subject. Hope that helps!

  3. Sooooo beautiful!

  4. Thanks Lisa! That does help. Looking back at the pictures and other shoots you’ve done I can see what you mean. Engagements seem posed but theres a natural aspect to it. Wedding day photo’s seem like you are just documenting the day and not interfering. I guess thats what so appealing about the pictures. Thanks again!

  5. @Anne: Thank you!

    @Ben: You’re welcome! :)

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