I have been more and more familiar with Kyoto now as I have photographed many sessions at this scenic city with cherry blossoms and maple leaves in full bloom, and also because it has become one of the most renowned destinations between newly weds to take pre-wedding photos. The ancient city is surrounded with vibrant and colorful scenery during all seasons of the year, and this series of photos were taken last year when the Koyo leaves were in beautiful autumn colors.
The arrangement to shoot in Kyoto was made pretty early as Natalie already had in mind what she wanted, and because the couples were both big fans of Japan especially Kyoto, finding the history and culture intriguing.
Whenever we do this type of seasonal shoots for pre weddings, we always have to factor the weather as a consideration, as the Sakura and Koyo leaves might not be in full blossom on the dates we are doing the shoot. The temperature in Kyoto last year seemed to be relatively warm as compared to before, so it did affect the foliage slightly, giving it a less vibrant look as compared to the previous years.
As this former imperial capital of Japan is filled with majestic shrines and temples, I decided to guide the couple to have their shoot at other spots, using many of the historic places as a backdrop for their photos. I always remind couples that the main focus of our shoot is to capture the beautiful fall foliage, but aside from these autumn leaves, there are plenty of surprises around every corner of this city that are breathtaking and picturesque and can be included in the shoot.
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