Weddings of 2026 /2027
Information Guide
COntents
01. ABOUT
02. COLLECTIONS
03. APPROACH
Hello!! I’m Sofia.
For more than a decade, I’ve had the privilege of documenting life’s most meaningful celebrations across the world, from intimate ceremonies in Japan to vibrant cultural weddings spanning India and Europe. Having photographed hundreds of couples from diverse backgrounds, I bring a deep understanding of tradition, nuance, and the quiet power of moments that unfold naturally.
My journey into photography began long before my first commissioned work in 2014, and more than ten years later, the joy of photographing love has never faded. As a third-culture kid, Pakistani by heritage, born in the UK, raised in Hong Kong and the UAE, and now based in Japan, travel and cultural exchange have shaped the way I see the world and the way I photograph it.
Alongside my photography, my dedicated team in Japan help support couples planning their wedding here. Together we can assist with arranging permits, venues, trusted local vendors such as florists, hair and makeup artists, videographers, officiants, and any other services you may need to bring your day together seamlessly. Planning a wedding in another country can feel overwhelming, so our goal is to make the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
When you invite myself and my team into your story, you’re trusting me with something precious. My focus is on the details, so your focus can remain on being fully present. We’ll guide you when needed, hold space when it matters, and capture not just how your day looked, but how it truly felt.
My work has been featured in
Collections
Wedding coverage is offered on a custom quote basis, thoughtfully tailored to the unique vision, scale, and flow of each celebration. Standard Offerings include:
Signature Wedding Photography
Best suited for couples who already have a planner or who are comfortable arranging their own venue, permits, vendors and logistics.
Up to 10 hours of wedding day photo coverage with Sofia Hiramatsu
A curated gallery of over 600 photographs edited in Sofia’s signature style, delivered in a private online gallery with full download, sharing access, and lifetime printing rights
Drone Photography (where permitted)
Atleast 150 images photographed with analog mediums (film)
A trusted second photographer, ensuring every moment is beautifully documented
2 Giclée Museum Quality Fine Art Prints of your favourite photos from the day, delivered to your home address (one A2 & one A3)
Engagement / pre-wedding photoshoot or rehearsal dinner coverage
Vendor Guide (A list of our recommended vendors)
¥1,700,000
Additional coverage including multi-day weddings are available, with every proposal tailored to your celebration.
Signature Wedding Photography + Planning
Designed for couples who want a seamless experience from the first conversation through to the big day.
Everything from Signature Wedding Photography
+
Unlimited planning and coordination from our dedicated planning team (fluent in English & Japanese)
Venue sourcing
Ceremony planning
Restaurant recommendations and reservations
Vendor recommendations and booking
Timeline planning and management
Permit applications (where required)
On the day coordination
Photography permits
From ¥2,500,000
Venue hire, food & beverage, flowers, hair & makeup, celebrant and other third party vendor costs are quoted separately
A NOTE ON OUR WHAT AND WHY.
How would you describe your photography?
It's all about the details. My work balances editorial artistry with documentary storytelling, rooted in honesty, emotion, and intention. Every wedding is approached with care, allowing your day to unfold naturally while gently revealing the beauty found between the big moments.
I'm drawn to deep reds, rich contrast, and golden warmth: tones that echo the intensity of love, the strength found in vulnerability, and the poetry of quiet connection. My approach blends candid, unscripted moments with thoughtfully guided portraits, creating imagery that feels both artful and timeless.
When you look through your gallery years from now, my hope is that you won't simply remember how your wedding looked, but how it felt: the atmosphere, the people you love, the fleeting moments that might otherwise have been forgotten, all preserved with intention.
What makes planning a wedding with you different?
Planning a wedding in another country should feel exciting, not overwhelming. For couples choosing our Signature Wedding Experience, you'll be supported by a bilingual, Japan based planning team with deep local knowledge and an international perspective. We become part creative partner, part trusted guide, and a calm presence throughout the entire journey.
Do you offer customized wedding planning?
We don't believe in templates or one size fits all celebrations. Every wedding and intimate celebration is thoughtfully designed with a meaningful sense of place, beautiful and intentional design and flow, deep cultural respect and local insight, and warm, considered hospitality for you and your guests.
Our planning combines local expertise with years of experience creating weddings for couples travelling from around the world, so you can enjoy the process knowing every detail is being thoughtfully considered.
How do we define documentary photography?
Documentary photography is an honest, unobtrusive way of capturing your wedding day. Rather than interrupting moments as they unfold, I quietly observe, allowing you and your guests to remain fully immersed in the celebration. My role is to notice the details you may never see yourself: the nervous glance before the ceremony, the laughter shared across the dinner table, a parent's quiet emotion, the atmosphere humming between conversations.
What you receive is more than a collection of photographs. It's a visual story that lets you relive your wedding exactly as it happened, preserving not only the moments themselves but the feeling of being there.
How do we define editorial photography?
Editorial photography is about creating portraits with intention. My approach stays grounded in authenticity, and I'll gently guide you when needed through natural prompts, movement, and subtle direction: no rigid posing or forced smiles, just space for genuine connection to unfold.
The result is imagery that feels effortless, elegant, and deeply personal: photographs that wouldn't feel out of place in the pages of a magazine, yet still feel unmistakably like you.
What about traditional photographs?
Tradition holds a meaningful place in every celebration. It connects generations and becomes part of your family's history. Family portraits, photographs with loved ones, and the important milestones throughout your day are something I deeply value. We'll thoughtfully plan these moments so they feel relaxed and intentional, giving you more time to celebrate with the people who matter most.
How does your process begin and what can we expect?
Our process begins with a Zoom consultation: an opportunity for us to get to know one another, hear your story, understand your priorities, and learn what matters most to you both. We believe the most meaningful weddings begin with trust, shared vision, and genuine connection. We'll work collaboratively to create a celebration that feels deeply personal and unmistakably yours, while I focus on documenting it with the same care, emotion, and artistry that defines my photography.
Kind Words
‘‘I cannot stress how Sofia is absolutely AMAZING at what she does. All of our wedding pictures came back so beautiful. She had a link to a quick look SO fast. And all of the pictures she edited were also sent to us in a timely fashion. Sofia is so cool and chill-we really enjoyed having her at our intimate ceremony. She clicked right in to our group and felt like one of the fam once she left. ALSO I was booking from the United States (stressful) and Sofia walked me through everything so professionally and calmed my nerves. She even went to the venue (my husband’s grandparent’s house in Nagoya) and looked at venue ahead of time with my in-laws. She really does go above and beyond for her clients. 100/10 recommend Sofia as your wedding photographer in Japan, She’s GREAT!!’’
Angie & Ken
‘‘Working with Sofia was Amazing! Unfortunately for us, she's 'Miss Popular' and already had a wedding booked on our date so she sent Yoshi from her team of photographers to capture our elopement and he was great. He made us feel very comfortable (to be real, getting your picture taken 100 times in one day SUCKS!) and he did an amazing job posing us and getting the shot! I am in love with Sofia's editing style, it's just so unique and different! has just a little more edge to it than the usual bright and airy wedding photos you see out there. I am so so happy with my photos, I swear I just stare at them and relive my happiest day over and over again. Sending all my love from San Diego, California and If anyone out there is thinking about skipping the wedding and eloping in Japan... DO IT! and hire Sofia to take your pretty pictures :)’’
Ariel & Daniel
“Booking a wedding photographer, especially one from another country, can be daunting and nerve-wracking. This was a significant moment for my partner and me, so finding someone professional and reliable was crucial.
The process with Sofia was smooth from start to finish. When I reached out to her, I received a prompt response, and we encountered no issues with the booking. Communication was effective throughout the entire process, which helped ease my worries and made me feel very comfortable working with her.
Sofia is knowledgeable and knows the best locations to capture stunning shots. She is approachable, sweet, and very attentive to our needs. Even though we booked at the last minute, she was kind enough to fit us into her schedule. She recommended a fantastic videographer and suggested several local restaurants for us to try.
We highly recommend booking with Sofia if you want a personable photographer. You won't regret choosing Sofia Hiramatsu Photography.’’
Sonya & Brian
An ending note:
I choose to take on a limited number of events per year.
My hearts desire is for you to feel seen and cared for through each step of the booking, preparation process, wedding day and final delivery of your thoughtfully prepared gallery.
I truly look forward to being apart of capturing your story and love.
Sofia x