Yes, I was persuaded by TikTok to hire a photographer in Tokyo.
It’s actually not unusual for couples to book a photographer during their holiday trip, but for us, it definitely is. Seb and I are quite the shy couple. Put us in front of a professional camera and suddenly we forget how to stand, where to put our hands, and start laughing awkwardly.
Our last proper photoshoot was our pre-wedding shoot and even that felt a little uncomfortable. But then again, how many times do you get to be in Tokyo in your life? This was also Seb’s birthday trip and somewhere he had always wanted to visit, so it felt like the right moment to do something a little special.
The idea actually came from TikTok. Like many late nights, we were doomscrolling videos about what to do in Tokyo when we started seeing clips of couples walking through Shibuya and Shinjuku with street photographers capturing them against neon lights and quiet alleyways.
Seb looked at me and said, “Should we do it?”
I mean, it’s a once in a lifetime thing. Plus, if I’m being honest, it would save him the struggle of taking 200 photos of me just to get one good one.
Watch how the photoshoot in Tokyo actually went:
How We Found a Tokyo Photographer on Instagram
We ended up searching on Instagram by simply typing ‘Tokyo photographer’ and scrolling through profiles until we found a style we liked.
Many of them had similar cinematic street-style shots, but one account stood out: @masaki.films.
His photos felt natural and relaxed rather than overly posed, which was exactly what we wanted. We sent him a DM, agreed on a date, and that was it. No deposit, no complicated booking process. Just a simple message confirming the shoot about a month before we arrived in Tokyo.
Meeting at Shibuya Crossing
Our meeting point was Hachiko Station, right in front of Shibuya Crossing. If you’ve ever been there, you know the energy is chaotic. Thousands of people are crossing at once, while some are filming TikToks, with giant screens glowing above you.
I’ll admit, I was slightly nervous meeting a photographer we’d never met before. But Seb was with me so I felt safe, and the moment we met Masaki, the nerves disappeared. He had really good energy. Friendly, relaxed, and immediately easy to talk to. It didn’t feel like we were meeting a stranger. It felt more like meeting a friend who happened to have a camera.
Our Tokyo Photoshoot Experience in Shibuya
The shoot lasted around two hours, and instead of staying in one place, we walked around the city together.
Masaki took us to spots he knew would photograph well. Small alleyways with glowing signs, a phonebootht, and of course, the iconic Shibuya crossing. He guided us on what to do and how to pose, but nothing felt overly staged. Most of the time we were just walking, talking, and laughing while he captured moments naturally.
What surprised me the most was how fun it actually was. At first I thought we’d feel awkward the entire time, but instead it felt like a little adventure. Walking through the center of Tokyo at night while someone captured memories of us in the middle of it all.
The Cost and Final Photos
The shoot cost around 3,000 baht, which honestly felt very reasonable for the experience. The photos were delivered about two weeks later, and when we received them we were genuinely impressed. The images captured both the energy of Tokyo and the quiet little moments between us.
Pimmi’s Perspective
So, is hiring a photographer in Tokyo worth it? For us, absolutely. These are photos we definitely wouldn’t have been able to take ourselves. And if you’re someone who enjoys documenting your travels, having a photographer allows you to actually be present in the moment whether you’re exploring solo or with someone else, instead of constantly passing the camera back and forth.
What could have just been a normal evening walking through Tokyo ended up becoming one of the most memorable parts of the trip. And years from now, when we look back at those photos, we’ll remember exactly how Tokyo felt that night.
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