July is the cruellest month, at least in Kyoto. The heat trapped within the mountain basin is only alleviated by the joyful presence of clients like the ones we were fortunate to work with this time.
A one-hour photoshoot in Kyoto can be approached in many ways: intimately, focusing on the landscape, or by attempting to cover as many locations as possible. However, when a client requests Higashiyama, we don’t hesitate: Maruyama Park is our go-to.
Of course, there are many locations in the eastern part of Kyoto that will leave both common tourists and those about to be photographed speechless. But Maruyama Park is a reliable choice—unless it’s spring, when the area is overrun with tourists eager to capture the vibrant pink of cherry blossoms on Instagram. The park is close to both hidden gems and major tourist spots, offering a wide variety of landscape and garden shots. It’s spacious enough to find quiet nooks away from visitors—a dream for any Kyoto photographer.
With this lovely couple, however, we decided to take a slightly different route.
After meeting them at their hotel, we took a taxi and began the session in front of the imposing gates of Chion-in. It was a strong start, setting the tone and allowing the aura of Kyoto to sink in from the very beginning. The couple’s posing skills were exceptional, surpassing most of the models we’ve worked with. No instructions or recommendations were needed; as soon as they were in front of the lens, they blended seamlessly with their surroundings.
Once we completed the initial session at the temple, we moved to Maruyama Park, where most of the photoshoot took place. Romantic, vulnerable, cool, funny—all shades of human emotion were beautifully framed by the lush greenery of those traditional gardens.
Thanks to the speed of these natural models, we were done in the park with still plenty of time to capture the rest of Higashiyama, so we didn’t hesitate to head towards the Yasaka Pagoda, one of the most requested (and crowded) spots of Kyoto.
With a little bit of patience we could find the perfect timing to immortalise their love before the iconic silhouette of the pagoda and by doing so finish today’s session.
Why choosing Kyoto for a photoshoot?
Kyoto is arguably the most photogenic city of the world. With its ancient buildings interwoven with the lush greenery of their surroundings and the eerie atmosphere of its mountain shrines and temples, Kyoto stands out as one of the best places of Japan for a couple photoshoot. If this hasn’t convinced you yet, take a look at Studio Trip’s Kyoto Photography Collection. You can also contact us with your questions or enquiries here.
