Kamakura is a small city with a surprising number of distinct outdoor environments within walking distance of each other. We have photographed in most of them over the past nine years, and we have strong opinions about which locations work for which kinds of sessions. Here is what we have learned.
The bamboo path at Hokokuji ¶
Hokokuji's bamboo grove is well known and often crowded by mid-morning. The light inside the grove is green-filtered and directional, which is unusual and beautiful but requires careful exposure. We schedule bamboo sessions for 8:30 or 9:00 to arrive before the tour groups. The path is narrow, which limits how far back you can stand, so we tend to work with a longer focal length and a shallow depth of field. The bamboo makes a strong graphic background that suits minimal, quiet portraits.
Yuigahama and the coast ¶
The beach at Yuigahama is about 15 minutes on foot from the studio. It is best in the late afternoon in summer, when the light comes in low from the west and the sand reflects it upward. The coast is open and windy, which means hair moves and clothes move and the images feel less controlled than studio work. That is the point. We use the coast for outdoor walk sessions where the subject wants something loose and unposed. Avoid midday in summer. The light is harsh and the beach is crowded.
The back lanes near Komachi-dori ¶
The lanes immediately behind Komachi-dori are narrow, shaded, and largely ignored by tourists. There are old wooden fences, potted plants on doorsteps, and the occasional cat. The light is dappled and inconsistent, which requires more attention but produces images with a strong sense of place. We use these lanes for the first part of outdoor walk sessions, before moving to a more open location. They work particularly well for couples and for solo portraits where the subject wants something that feels like their actual neighborhood.
The studio garden ¶
Our own garden is small. About 12 square meters. But it is walled, which means the light is controlled and the background is consistent. There is a bamboo fence on the north side, a small persimmon tree, and a stone path. We use the garden for the outdoor portion of portrait and family sessions, particularly in spring and autumn when the persimmon tree has leaves or fruit. In summer we use it in the early morning before the heat arrives.
Locations we avoid ¶
We do not use Tsurugaoka Hachimangu or the main approach to Kotoku-in for portrait sessions. Both are beautiful but both are heavily trafficked and the backgrounds are difficult to control. We also avoid the main shopping streets during business hours. If you have a specific location in mind that we have not mentioned, ask. We have probably photographed there and can tell you honestly whether it works.
The best outdoor location is the one that feels right for the person being photographed. We always ask where you feel comfortable before we suggest a route. The images are better when the subject knows the place.