A Family of Four, All in Kimono, in the Heart of Higashiyama
I genuinely love photographing kids.
Not "tolerate" — love. And I think that shows in the photos, which is exactly why I wanted to share this session.
The Session
This American family of four booked a 30-minute mini session with me in Kyoto's Higashiyama district. All four of them dressed in kimono for the occasion, and we spent our half hour weaving through the historic streets near Yasaka Pagoda, with the temple's five-story silhouette rising behind them in shot after shot.
Half an hour doesn't sound like much time. But with the right approach, it's enough.
My Approach with Kids
Photographing children is some of the most rewarding work I do — and also some of the most misunderstood. A lot of photographers try to manage kids: pose them, direct them, ask them to hold a smile until it stops looking real.
I do the opposite.
I don't treat kids like kids — I treat them like people. That means no forced poses, no demanding smiles, no talking down to them. If they want to run, I run with them. If they want to explore a side street or chase something that caught their eye, we explore together. I meet them on their level, quite literally, and let the connection build from there.
It's less "direct the shoot" and more "join the moment." And when it clicks, the joy on their faces is completely real — because it is real.
How It Went
This family leaned into it completely. The two kids were curious, cooperative, and full of energy the entire time — running ahead on temple grounds, twirling in their kimono sleeves, cracking up at something only siblings find funny. Their parents got their own quiet moments too: walking hand in hand past a shrine gate, pausing together in a garden as the light softened toward evening.
By the end, it didn't feel like a photoshoot so much as a shared afternoon. That's always what I'm chasing — for the family, and honestly, for me too.
Details
Location: Higashiyama, Kyoto
Session type: Vacation
Duration: 30 minutes
Interested in a family kimono session in Kyoto or Nagano? [Get in touch] to plan yours.
“Masa met with my family and I for our Kyoto family shoot and it was a great experience. He made my children feel at ease with his demeanor and easy-going nature. He was a pleasure to chat with as well in between shots, he is extremely personable! We even received our photos the next day and they are amazing! I would highly recommend Masa for your family photoshoot in Kyoto! 10 stars if I could!”
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