Tokyo Maternity Shoot at Shibuya Crossing: What I Thought I Wanted vs. What I Got
For my 40th birthday I wanted to take a once in a lifetime trip… and I decided on Japan
I had been to Tokyo before but had always wanted to travel around Japan to visit the seaside villages, temples, and forests. Also on the list was the city of Osaka to have my favorite Japanese dish, Okonomiyaki (which is not surprisingly often referred to as Japanese pizza).
I planned a two-week trip. Oh, and by the way, I was six months pregnant with my second daughter, Rose. So, I felt that this momentous occasion in my life warranted a celebratory photo shoot.
I planned to announce my pregnancy on Instagram with a photo from my trip to Tokyo. Being a photographer, I knew exactly what I wanted. For my big “I’m pregnant Instagram announcement” I envisioned a photograph of me, standing still in the intersection of Shibuya crossing, the busiest intersection in the world, while the blurred crowds rushed past.
The photo that started it all. 6 months pregnant and standing still in the middle of chaos. Very on brand 😂
I told my photographer, “I only need this ONE photo.” It was my vacation, I wanted to chill, not schlepp all over Tokyo for a photoshoot.
The day arrived for my photo shoot and we met with the photographer. We started with a few shots around Shibuya to get comfortable in front of his camera.
I am actually one of the most self-conscious people I know. I have to work really hard to overcome the nagging voices in my head. I also know that the best way to get great photos is to trust and surrender to your photographer. The photographer that I chose in Tokyo was great. He gave me the time and space to relax in front of his camera.
So after the warm up, it was time for the photo and OMG it came out amazing! I had my shot. BOOM.
Our photographer suggested we go visit a temple.
It was not on our list, but I was like, “Sure, why not?” The temple was beautiful, and honestly, I would have never found it if it wasn’t for our awesome photographer tour guide.
After that, he recommended that we visit a cool, photogenic Tokyo alleyway. I was having such a good time, and it felt great to have someone guide us through this foreign city and take us to his favorite spots so we decided to keep going.
Three hours later, we finished our little photoshoot. Our photographer was extremely generous with his time, and it was such a memorable experience.
When we got our photo edit back a few weeks later, I was so humbled.
I still look back on these photos with vivid feels, memories and gratitude 7 years later
I realized our photographer gracefully and respectfully guided us on an adventure. An adventure that this “self-proclaimed know-it-all professional photographer” didn’t think I needed or wanted. 😂 He knew it was about more than that one shot. He knew that this was a big trip for me, an important time in my life, and that my idea of the “one shot” would not do me justice. I am so glad that I trusted him and allowed him to guide me and take me to unique and interesting places for photos I did not even know I wanted, but am so grateful for even 7 years later. He was a true professional.
And ya know what? I am so grateful to ME that I had the foresight and motivation to hire a photographer for this pivotal moment in my life. I have these photos to share with my kids, and to remember that I looked 🔥 at 40 rocking a skin tight black bodysuit in the middle of Tokyo!
The moral of this story is…
- Go for it!
- Have fun
- Trust your photographer
- And MORE adventure is always a good idea
- And remember: the photos you didn’t even know you wanted might become the ones you treasure the most
