Capturing the moment when everything changes.
Some photo sessions require special care. Not because of their technical complexity, but because of the emotional weight they carry. This surprise marriage proposal in Kamakura was clearly one of them. Photographing such an intimate moment, without the person concerned suspecting anything at all, calls for careful preparation, discretion, and a strong sense of trust between the photographer and the future fiancé.
Two months before their trip to Japan, the groom-to-be contacted me with a very clear idea in mind. He wanted to organize a surprise marriage proposal during their stay in Kamakura, surrounded by a group of friends, and to preserve a faithful record of this unique moment. Together, we imagined a credible scenario and selected a natural setting that would enhance the emotion of the moment without overshadowing it.
After several location scouting sessions, I chose two spots in the Shichirigahama area. This neighborhood offers a perfect balance of sea, light, and tranquility, while remaining easily accessible. Every detail was planned in advance so that the encounter would feel entirely spontaneous.
On the day itself, the couple was visiting Kamakura with their friends. As planned, I “ran into them by chance” outside Inamuragasaki Station. I introduced myself as a local photographer and casually suggested taking a few photos of the group in a pleasant spot nearby. Nothing felt unusual. Everything seemed natural. The future bride had absolutely no idea.
Once we reached the planned location, I simply asked the couple to pose together. At that precise moment, the fiancé stepped forward, went down on one knee, and revealed the engagement ring. Time seemed to stand still. The young woman immediately burst into tears, overwhelmed with emotion. The surprise was complete, sincere, and deeply moving. My role was clear: to be present without interfering, to capture every look, every gesture, every raw emotion.
After this intense moment, we headed to Cape Inamuragasaki to continue the photo session. In the background, Enoshima Island and Mount Fuji offered a spectacular setting. With the sun backlighting the scene, I used a strobe and a softbox to illuminate their faces, revealing expressions filled with joy, closeness, and shared happiness.
These portraits tell far more than the story of a marriage proposal. They bear witness to an authentic moment of life, a commitment, and a memory that will stay with the couple forever. This is exactly what gives meaning to my work: creating sincere, powerful, and timeless images that tell a true story at the very moment it unfolds. You too can organize an outdoor portrait session in Kamakura or elsewhere and create memories that truly reflect who you are.
Photography by Shonan Focus