Tokyo Portrait Session FAQ & Terms and Conditions
How do I make a booking?
Just fill out the form on this page, where you tell me briefly about when you would like to shoot, your desired session length, and if you have any specific settings/locations that you would like to shoot at. In most circumstances, I will get back to you within one business day, to let you know my availability, as well as follow up questions needed to make our shoot just the way you want it.
How far in advance should I make a booking?
As soon as possible, especially during peak seasons. But I'm usually also able to squeeze in last-minute bookings, especially if there's a bit of flexibility.
Will I need to pay a deposit?
Yes, once we’ve agreed on all the details regarding our shoot I ask for a 10 000 JPY deposit via PayPal or Wise to confirm the booking, unless it's a last-minute booking. The rest of the fee is preferably paid in cash at the time of our shoot. Other payment methods are possible too, but please note that if you opt for paying the full amount via PayPal, there will be a 5% extra charge to cover their service fees.
What’s your cancellation policy?
The deposit is refundable for cancellations made no later than 14 days before our shoot. If I have to cancel the shoot for any reason, I will let you know as soon as possible, and give you the option of either reschedule the shoot or a full refund of your deposit.
Where do you shoot?
Anywhere in the 23 wards of Tokyo or in central Yokohama. The exception is mini sessions (30 minutes) which are limited to Shinjuku, Harajuku, Yoyogi Park or Shibuya. I'm also open to shooting in other parts of Japan or even abroad, as long as my travel costs are covered. The pricing for photoshoots outside of Tokyo is set on a case-by-case basis. Please send me a message if you would like to know more.
What happens if I'm running late for our shoot?
Unfortunately, this happens quite often. Tokyo is a big city and getting around can take longer than what you might be used to back home, so please try to plan ahead and get to our meeting point in time.
My schedule can be tight, and I likely have other commitments after your booking. This means that I cannot promise that I'll be able to stay longer than initially agreed upon, and I reserve the right to leave once the time of your original reservation is up.
That being said, I always try to do what I can to accommodate my clients' needs. If you are running late, please let me know as soon as possible, and I'll see if there's something I can do.
What shall I/we wear?
Most important is that you wear something that makes you feel comfortable. In longer sessions, it's quite likely that we will walk a bit, so it might be a good idea to bring a pair of comfortable shoes that can be worn between the shoots, if necessary.
Other than that, soft colors and clothes without busy patterns is usually a safe bet. If you want to wear something more eye-catching, that's fine too. I'll do my best to adjust the choice of backgrounds etc. to make it look as good as possible in the photos.
Can I/we bring multiple outfits?
Yes. You are allowed to change outfits as many times as you like during the time of our session.
Can I get more photos than what's included in your default packages?
It depends on the nature of the shoot. Please let me know what you would like and I'll give you a quote for a custom package.
When do we get the photos?
Within one week. Express delivery (within 24 hours) is available for a 10 000 JPY additional fee.
How do we get the photos from our shoot?
I use an online service called Pic-Time to deliver the photos. Once I'm done with the editing and selection, you will receive a secure link to an online gallery where you can download all the photos in high resolution. The online gallery will be available for one month. Please make sure to download and back up any photos you would like to keep within this time frame. If you need the gallery to stay online for longer than one month, this is possible for an extra fee. Please send me a message if you would like to know more about this service.
Can I/we choose photos that you edit and deliver to us?
Generally, I make the selection. But if you have any specific requests, please let me know during the shoot, and I'll do my best to accommodate. If it's crucial to you, I can also send you all the photos in low resolution, without editing, and let you make the selection. However, due to the extra time this approach results in, there's an additional fee for this service. Please send me a message if you would like to know more.
What's included in the editing? Do you retouch the photos?
I make adjustments to colour, brightness and contrast, to give the photos my own look and feel, similar to the examples you can see on my website and Instagram. I generally don't retouch details in the photos. But, if you happen to have a pimple on your nose on the day of our shoot, and would like to have it removed, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Can we order prints?
Yes, you can order prints via the online service I use to deliver your photos. Or you can download them and bring to your own local print shop.
What happens if it rains during the day of our shoot?
Generally, rain is not a big problem. In fact, it rained on my own wedding day, and those photos still turned out great. Personally, I'm a big fan of what Tokyo looks on a rainy night, and it works great for a portrait shoot too. I'll always do my best to make the photos look as good as possible in any weather. If you don’t like the idea of a photoshoot while it rains and would like to move the shoot to another day that's generally fine with me, given that my schedule permits it.
Do we own the copyright of the photos from our shoot?
You (the model) own a license of the photos that allows you to use the photos for anything except commercial use. Posting them on your own website, in social media etc., is of course allowed, and if you are a professional model who would like to use the photos for your portfolio or submit them to agencies, that's also fine. But you cannot, for example, sell the photos for a profit, sell them to a magazine, or use them to enter a photography competition.
The copyright laws in most countries stipulate that the photographer is always the copyright holder, and this applies to the photos I take during my portrait sessions too. This means that I, the photographer, also have the right to use the photos for my own marketing purposes, such as posting them on my website and/or Instagram. If you have any concerns with regards to this, please let me know before you make the booking, and we can discuss it further.
Do I need to credit you if I post the photos online?
No. It's not a requirement, but mentioning my name or posting a link to my website or Instagram will always be appreciated.
What happens in case of sudden illness (from both sides).
In case I get sick I will let you know as soon as possible, and you will get the option to either reschedule or have another photographer do the shoot in my place (I know several great photographers here in Tokyo). Unless any of those options work for you, the shoot will be cancelled, and your deposit refunded. If you, the model(s) fall ill, please let me know as soon as possible and we will try to reschedule the shoot.
Do you back up the photos?
Yes, before the photos have been delivered to you, I'll make sure to have them backed up to at least two separate locations, to prevent the risk of losing your precious memories. Once I send you the link to the online gallery, the photos will be available to you for 30 days. I can not guarantee that your photos will be available for re-download after this period.
Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have a question that is not answered on this page.