This one came as a beautiful surprise: an impromptu Tokyo shoot for two Hollywood creatives on their honeymoon. I flew in from Hong Kong on short notice and found myself walking Tokyo’s neon-lit streets with Niko and Lila, bona fide filmmakers (Lila once met Michel Gondry—yes, “Eternal Sunshine” Michel Gondry. And “Daft Punk - Around the World” Michel Gondry.)

Between frames, we talked shop: indie cinema, auteur obsessions, and even the absurdities of the industry, from Mulholland Drive to TMZ, the range was as cinematic as the city around us.

Shot entirely at night, this session captured the moody romance of Tokyo's urban glow. We explored Shinjuku’s Golden Gai, Kabukicho’s grit, the platforms of JR Yamanote Line, and the iconic crossings of Shibuya. It was also my first couple shoot using my dream setup: the Leica M11 paired with the Summilux 35 f/1.4.

This shoot quietly kickstarted a trend; more couples now request cinematic night sessions here in Tokyo. Not complaining at all [smiley].

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A cinematic Tokyo night couple shoot featuring Niko & Lila, captured by @redsheepphotocinema and @_elsewherelse. Shot on location in Shinjuku, Kabukicho, Golden Gai, JR Yamanote Line, and Shibuya. Photographed in February 2025 using the Leica M11, SL2, and Q3.