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Our Memorable Moments of 2020

Close-up black and white headshot of a smiling young woman - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Headshot photos

What a year! Many of us are sitting down to soba and tempura to welcoming the new year. Take a look a some of our memorable event, branding, headshot, and portrait sessions during our difficult yet hopeful 2020 year.

TOPTIA’s Memorable 2020 Moments

Kids with raised hands and holding the cutout of the 2020 year - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Japan Photography
Kicked off the new year In Nagano with Mirai no Mori for their annual Winter Camp
A far-away long shot of the famous rental office building in Japan with so many colorful doors - Tokyo Portrait Photographer
I finally found this Instagram gem and got to photograph their colorful space
A wide-angle shot of the famous rental office building in Japan, known for its colorful doors - Tokyo Portrait Photographer
A closer look at the colorful doors
A collage of two headshots of a cute little girl in different poses indoors - lifestyle photography, Headshot photos
My goal for 2020 was to really put myself out there in the photography and creatives space. Right after I captured the colorful doors in Odaiba, I ventured to Shibuya and met this intriguing up and coming model and her mother at a models x photographers’ meet and greet party.
Collage of two, a woman speaker on a stage, & people listening in a conference - Event photographer, Tokyo Event Photography
Later the next month, the Asian University for Women asked if I could photograph a screening of the Oscar-winning documentary, Period. End of Sentence, directed by Rayka Zehtabchi who was there to discuss it with the audience in Azabujuban.
A focused portrait of a woman behind glowing string lights at an event - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Photographer in Tokyo
The up and coming model from the photographer x model’s meet and greet wasn’t the only model I met. We spend the early evening shooting in Roppongi Hills in February.
Headshot of a woman with a dark background, wearing a grey overcoat - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Headshot photos
Something that really made me feel proud of what my profession offers were being a part of an international team of women photographers photographing executive women at each branch of Western Digital in preparation for their International Women’s Day feature. Here is Emi Hatano, one of the female executives featured for WD Japan.
A collage of two professional men in blue suit coats and tie, with happy expressions - Tokyo Portrait Photographer
Before my trip to the US, I was able to do a fun and a bit artistic session for two corporate gentlemen. I couldn’t believe how amazing their stories were and couldn’t wait to catch up with both of them to hear more.
A bridal in a traditional red wedding outfit and jewelry staring at the mirror - family photography, lifestyle photography
Finally in the US for the first time in 4 years, I got to visit Las Vegas for the annual WPPI convention and photographed this nice woman among the many passersby and models at the hotel.
Collage of 3 headshots of a beautiful woman with different vibrant expressions - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Headshot photos
I still can not believe Payton is shy about posing! We had a simple session with some fun music in the background ready to enjoy the shoot.
Two shots of a young man in a suit posing differently in low light - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Photographer in Tokyo
I don’t think I’ve ever met a MEXT scholar before. But low and behold, Patrick from the Congo was my first! He’s also phenomenal in PR as well as acting. I had this idea that would not leave my head and he graciously (among the COVID precautions) came to the studio to bring my idea to life!
A professional young man in a black suit coat facing the camera with a smile - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Headshot photos
I captured this headshot of him as a thank you for coming!
A young man with eyeglasses and long hair in a black shirt facing the camera - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Headshot photos
And one for a long-time friend who was helping out as well.
A young and beautiful woman in a black dress facing the camera indoors - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Headshot photos
Angela was so phenomenal when she came for her headshot session with her daughter. It was bittersweet knowing it would be the last session done at the Ginza Hub Co-working space For it would be closed due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A black and white vintage photo of a woman with her two teenage daughters - family photography, Tokyo Portrait Photographer
Rose of condolences and remembrance for my mother who passed away too soon. My mother gave me so much and I thank her for the person I have become this year.
A collage of two, a man in mask, and a man with a placard against racism - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Photographer in Tokyo
One thing I felt in my heart I must capture was the 3600 people who marched in Shibuya in protest of the George Floyd killings in Minnesota. It amazed me how many non-black marchers there were. I had been to the previous Black Lives Matter march 4 years ago and it paled in comparison to the support that braved the weather, COVID and anti-protesters in June.
Black women standing in a protest for the support of black people - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Photographer in Tokyo
Though few, there were some black marchers among the thousands of BLM supporters.
A collage of two headshots of an elderly professional woman smiling - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Headshot photos
Later in the month, I felt honored to photograph the president of FEW, For Empowering Women. I’ve always been in awe of the women who keep this organization thriving and communal for global-minded women living in Japan. It was also great to see a familiar face for the first time since the lockdown had lifted.
Black and white shot of a simple Japanese young man facing the camera indoors - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Headshot photos
Covering an event for another familiar face, pre-lockdown, I met a guest and his mother who was very shy. I thought he would make a great model and asked to take his picture. Needless to say, mom approved!
A woman with glasses & golden hair in a red top smiling at the camera indoors - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Headshot photos
For the first time since the lockdown ended, I got to reconnect with my friend and assistant, Nathalie. We were doing a branding session for a friend of mine with two businesses, Tracey. This session was such a fun and hilarious shoot! I can’t wait to see how both her businesses are doing.
An actress in a unique fancy outfit with curly hair facing the camera - Headshot photos, Model Headshot, Japan Photography
Founder of Black Lives Matter Tokyo, Sierra Todd. She and an art student and I teamed up for a fashion project
A female model can be in a workout pose, and in a crossed-hand closeup shot - Model Headshot, Tokyo Portrait Photographer
Jamie Smith is also an activist and model just like Sierra Todd. She helped me with a final project I was working on for the New York Institute.
A portrait of a happy smiling couple hand-in-hand in wedding outfits - family photography, lifestyle photography
One of the things that affected many this year with the pandemic was couples who were planning on marrying this year. This international couple wanted to invite their friends from Japan to their wedding in New Zealand. Sadly with the international travel ban, they could only have a small reception celebration with their Japanese family and friends.
A collage of two, a young woman in corporate attire, and a man with eyeglasses - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Headshot photos
Yet to be deterred by the pandemic, this dynamic consulting duo wanted to brand their business and website with new profile and headshot images in Roppongi.
A young teenage model doing different poses in a cowboy outfit - Actor’s Portfolio, Actors Headshot, Model Headshot
This young kid had a big goal. To grow his hair as long as he could so he could donate it on his birthday a week later. His motivation came from his favorite professional wrestler who had battled an illness months before.
A passionate DJ at an event setting the music beats and having fun - Event photographer, Tokyo Event Photography
Remi has been a friend that always messages me to check-in and see how I’m doing but to also invite me to his performances. Oftentimes, I can’t make them but this time, I was able to come and see him perform in Azabujuban.
A collage of two portraits, two little girls wearing a Japanese festive dress at a shrine - family photography
I have a secret, Shichi-go-san during the autumn season is my favorite time of the year. Kids in kimono do some of the darndest things that are so fun to watch and see.
A collage of two, a woman with a child on a shrine, and a child facing the camera - family photography, lifestyle photography
Rain and a curious son won’t stop our Shichi-go-san session here.
A collage of kids photos, a boy in fancy dress, and a girl in a cultural outfit - family photography, lifestyle photography
Fun-loving yet perceptive children.
A collage of four professional people in business formals for a brand shoot - Tokyo Portrait Photographer, Headshot photos
These headshot sessions are very significant to me because they were done in the new studio spaces TopTia now uses after Ginza Hub went away. The worry and stress I felt about moving to a new studio plagued me constantly. But seeing how both the clients and I connected with each other during our sessions in the new Shinjuku and Aoyama studios, I think it’s safe to say TopTia has found a new home.
A collage of a young couple smiling joyfully at a beach in the daylight - family photography, lifestyle photography
It was so relaxing spending the day in Hayama for a relaxing pre-wedding session. Getting a chance to look at the ocean for hours before -and after- the session really helped me get over a lot of the stressors that 2020 brought. It was so fun reconnecting with an old friend and his fiance, I think we all enjoyed putting 2020 out of our minds for a couple of hours on the beach.
A collage of a wedding couple, one is a daylight portrait, and the other is in nighttime - family photography
Closing out the year on a higher note than when we entered it. This couple’s wedding day was the day before Japan locked down its borders. They hurried back to Japan from the US just in time however without a wedding ceremony. Still, their happiness with each other was infectious to me and my assistant, Annette.
Headshot of a woman in an orange outfit inside a room with minimal light - Headshot photos, Charlotte portrait photographer
Yet here I am. Like many others, we carry a lot of baggage from 2020 yet hoping to let off a few weights one bag at a time. I’m cautious yet, hopeful. I’ll see you on the other side everyone!

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