What Grace and Kyle wanted from Japan was something else entirely: a day that belonged only to the two of them. The legal paperwork was being taken care of back home in Australia.
Just them, no guests, no schedule to keep, no audience. Just a bride, a groom, a lake, Mt. Fuji views, and enough time to say what they wanted to say to each other. They reached out asking for my photographs and a few beautiful locations, and what followed was one of the warmest mornings I have spent behind a camera.
Planning a day for two
When couples elope with only the two of them, the photographer's role changes. There are no relatives to direct and no group photos to organize. It is quieter, more personal, and a lot depends on whether the couple feels comfortable enough to be themselves in front of the lens.
That was the part I wanted to get right from the start. I promised Grace and Kyle two things. First, that I would give them guidance on posing and posture throughout the session, so they would never be left wondering what to do with their hands or where to look. Second, that during the private moments, like reading their vows, I would keep my distance, at their discretion. If they wanted me close, I would be close. If they wanted me far enough away to feel completely alone, I would be.
For the location, I recommended Lake Kawaguchiko, with Nagasaki Park and Oike Park as the two lakeside options. Both have open water, mountain views, and the kind of soft light that makes a ceremony feel unhurried. Getting there from Tokyo is easy enough on your own, but for a day this personal, Grace and Kyle asked me to take care of the transportation as well. I would pick them up from their hotel and drive them there.
When the weather said no
The shoot was originally planned for two days earlier. But the weather turned terrible, so rather than push ahead and hope, I offered to move the session to Friday morning, with a very early start to give us the best chance at good light and quiet surroundings.
Grace and Kyle had a plan of their own to work around: they were due to move on to Hakone that same day. So instead of driving them back to Tokyo afterward, I offered to take them straight to Hakone.
Moving a shoot is never ideal, but moments like this are why I stay flexible. It turned out to be the right call.
The perfect day
I met them at their hotel, and we left Tokyo around 6:00 AM. The city was still quiet, and the drive toward Kawaguchiko gave us a slow, easy start to the day. By the time we arrived at the lake, the park had a few early visitors but was far from busy, and the water was calm.
One thing I like to do on a session like this is show the images on location as we go, so couples can see what we are creating and tell me whether the direction feels right. It keeps everyone aligned, and it builds confidence quickly.
The vows by the lake
When it was time for the vows, I stepped back. They stood together by the lake and exchanged them at their own pace while I stayed at a respectful distance. It was beautiful and very intimate, exactly what a ceremony for two should be.
Afterward, I gave them some time to themselves. I maintain my distance during their reading of vows.
From there, we continued with more portraits around the park. I also knew of a specific spot where the autumn colors were already out, so I took them there. It made for a completely different backdrop from the lake, and Grace and Kyle had a great time exploring it.
Once the session was over, we did something not included in any package: we had breakfast together. After an early start and a morning outdoors, it felt like the right way to close the shoot. Then I drove them to Hakone, where the next part of their trip was waiting.
They were a lovely couple, easy to be around and generous with their time. Their message afterward was simple and warm:
"Such a fantastic experience! We enjoyed our day so much, and you made us feel so at ease!"
That is the best thing anyone can say about a shoot like this. When a couple feels at ease, the pictures show it.
Thinking about eloping in Japan with just the two of you? Whether you want a lakeside ceremony, help with transportation, or simply a photographer who will keep a respectful distance while you say your vows, we would love to help.
