Booking & Process

  • A: Start by filling out my contact form or emailing me directly with your date and ideas. We’ll arrange a quick consultation call to discuss details. Once you’re ready to confirm, a signed agreement and a non-refundable ¥10,000 deposit secure your booking.

  • A: My calendar tends to fill up quickly, especially in cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons. For elopements, I recommend booking at least 6–12 months in advance. For couple’s sessions, 2–3 months is usually enough.

    That said, if you are considering this as a last minute addition to your trip, feel free to get in touch, you never know!

  • A: Yes. While I’m based in Tokyo, I frequently travel across Japan for elopements and couple sessions.

    Travel costs will be calculated separately.

    If you have hired me to capture your elopement through Elope in Japan, travel is usually calculated through the planning side, so you won’t be charged twice.

Package & Pricing

  • A: Every package includes my time on the day, careful editing of your images, and delivery via a private online gallery. The gallery comes with a license for personal use so you can print, share, and enjoy your photos freely.

  • A: Absolutely. That’s what the Custom package is for. Reach out and let’s start talking.

  • A: Yes. A non-refundable deposit of ¥10,000 secures your date. The balance is due two weeks before the session.

  • A: I don’t personally handle the planning side. My focus here is photography. But my wife, Ayako, is the founder and lead planner of Elope in Japan, our sister brand. Together, we create guest-free and intimate elopements across Japan, where she handles the vision, logistics, and vendor relationships, while I often take on the photography.

    If you’re interested in a fully planned elopement, I’ll happily connect you directly with Ayako and Elope in Japan.

Before the Shoot

  • A: Absolutely. Most couples aren’t familiar with Tokyo or Japan’s rules around photography, so part of my job is to guide you. I’ll suggest locations that match your style, whether that’s hidden gardens, bustling streets, or serene shrines, and explain what’s possible with time, light, and any permit requirements.

  • A: English is my native language, but I have lived here for 22 years and speak conversational Japanese - enough to get by and enjoy life in Japan. That means I can handle interactions with local vendors and locations, so you don’t have to worry about language barriers.

  • A: Yes. If you’re booking through Elope in Japan, Ayako can arrange trusted stylists for you. For couple sessions booked directly with me, I can recommend professionals I know and trust, depending on your needs and budget.

On the Day

  • A: Not at all. Most couples I work with say the same thing at first! My job is to make you feel comfortable, guide you when needed, and capture natural moments that feel like you.

  • A: The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and like yourselves. I usually suggest outfits that complement each other without being too “matchy.” Neutral or earthy tones photograph beautifully, while avoiding large logos or very busy patterns keeps the focus on you.

    For ladies, I recommend avoiding very short skirts or dresses, as these can limit the kinds of poses and movements we can comfortably capture. Longer, flowing fabrics not only give us more freedom but also create beautiful shape and movement in photos.

    For city shoots, please note that full wedding dresses can sometimes restrict where we’re able to go due to permits and local regulations. If your dream is a walk through a garden or visit a shrine, we may need to consider attire that’s easier to move around in, or plan ahead for the necessary permissions.

    For elopements, many couples choose traditional attire like kimono, or wedding dresses and suits, which I can photograph beautifully at the ceremony venue.

    If, following a ceremony, couples want to go into town for an urban setting, many brides choose to change to a more comfortable dress or outfit. This not only makes movement easier, but provides more variety in the final album.

  • A: Most sessions run 1–2 hours, depending on the package. Elopements vary from a few hours to full-day coverage.

  • A: I completely understand that travel in Japan (or just nerves on the day!) can sometimes cause delays. If you’re running late, please message me as soon as you can. I’ll do my best to adjust, but if I have other bookings or we are at time-sensitive locations (such as gardens with closing hours or golden-hour light), late arrivals may reduce the total shooting time.

    Unfortunately, I can’t extend sessions beyond the booked slot without additional fees, so I always recommend allowing extra travel time when planning your day, so you arrive at least 10 minutes early.

  • A: Japan’s weather can be unpredictable. If it is just light rain, we will reach for a couple of umbrellas! Clear plastic umbrellas, perfect for this sort of photography are ubiquitous in Japan, and can make for a great part of your story. If it is torrential rain, we can try to reschedule, calendar commitments permitting.

    For couples sessions, if it is a complete wash out, and a new date or time cannot be arranged, I will be happy to refund 45% of the total fee.

    For elopements, we’ll work with your planner to adjust the timing, location, or flow of the day.If you’re interested in a fully planned elopement, I’ll happily connect you directly with Ayako and the Elope in Japan team.

  • A: My focus is on you as a couple, and the dynamic changes quite a lot when extra people are present. For couple sessions, I generally recommend keeping it just the two of you so you can fully relax and enjoy the experience without distractions.

    Couples shoots: for any extra people in attendance there will be a surcharge of ¥10,000 per person. Naturally, your kids will NOT incur extra fees.

    Elopements: any guests present will be covered in the cost of the shoot.

  • A: Yes, if they feel natural to you. Things like flowers, champagne, umbrellas, or traditional Japanese items like fans can add personality to your photos. J

    ust keep in mind that they will need to be carried with us from spot to spot and larger props may not be suitable for every location.

    Please do let me know in advance if you are planning to bring anything on the larger or heavy side.

  • A: It depends on the session. Some are focused in one area, while others involve walking between spots — especially in Tokyo where travel between gardens, shrines, and city streets can take time. I’ll always explain this ahead of time so you can plan footwear and comfort accordingly.

  • A: Absolutely. Especially in Japan’s summer heat or chilly winters, breaks are encouraged. Whether it’s grabbing a drink, ducking into some air-con, or just catching your breath, pauses help keep the energy relaxed and enjoyable.

    Just keep in mind, this will impact the total number of shots at the end of the day. If you have booked a one hour sessions, you might want to power through. That said, I will always go as fast or slow as my couples are comfortable doing.

Editing & Delivery

  • A: No. You wouldn’t go to a restaurant and ask the chef to give you the RAW ingredients! 😅


    Part of what you’re hiring me for is my editing style, which completes the story of your images. I carefully select and edit the best photographs - ditching any photos with closed eyes, unflattering facial expressions or missed focus - so you receive a polished, cohesive gallery.

  • A: The number depends on the package and length of coverage, but I always deliver a generous selection: enough to fully tell the story of your day without overwhelming you.

  • A: You’ll receive a private online gallery link where you can download high-resolution images. The gallery makes it easy to share with friends and family, and you’re welcome to print the photos anywhere you like.

  • A: Your edited gallery will be delivered within 4–6 weeks of your session. During peak season, it may be closer to 6 weeks; during off-peak, it may be a lot sooner. Either way, I’ll keep you updated.

  • A: My editing style is natural and timeless. I’ll adjust lighting, colors, and crop for the best look. Light retouching, for example removing a temporary blemish or smoothing skin, is included, but I don’t do heavy manipulation or body reshaping. The goal is for you to look like your best selves, not altered versions.

  • A: Yes. I often include a few black-and-white versions in galleries because they bring a timeless quality to certain images. If you’d like more, just let me know before delivery.

Practical Details

  • A: Cancellations made more than two weeks before your session are subject to the deposit only. Within two weeks, the full fee is non-refundable, as I’ve reserved the time just for you.

  • A: Your online gallery allows you to download and print images anywhere. Since most of my clients are from outside Japan, this works well.

    Currently, I do not provide prints or albums as part of the delivery, but if this is something you really want, let me know and we can discuss how to make this work.

  • A: My focus is Japan, but if you’re planning something abroad and feel strongly about having me, let’s chat!

  • A: I ask all clients to sign a model release as part of the booking process. This allows me to share your images for marketing purposes. If privacy is a concern, let me know and we can discuss options.

  • A: Some locations in Japan do require photography permits, especially shrines, temples, and gardens. I’ll guide you on what’s needed and, if required, arrange the permit(s) in advance so there are no surprises on the day.

  • A: We can absolutely start talking, but to lock down my services will require a signed agreement and a non-refundable deposit.

    I suggest not making any commitments until you know your dates of travel, especially if you want to have a session during one of the peak times: Cherry blossom or fall leaves.

  • A: If my schedule allows, yes. Additional time is billed at an hourly rate, and we’ll settle that before delivering your gallery. It’s always best to let me know in advance if you think you’ll want extra coverage, but I’ll do my best to be flexible.

Connection to Elope in Japan

  • A: Elope in Japan is our planning and coordination brand, run by my wife Ayako. Ross Harrison Photography is my personal brand, focused purely on photography.

    The two are connected: if you book an elopement through Elope in Japan, I may well be your photographer. However, you can also book me separately for couple sessions or portraits.