I had the opportunity to visit Kyoto on my recent visit to Japan. And I was able to do a photo session with Mina. He was very patient, fun and gave good tips on how to pose. My overall experience was great. Mina captured so many great photos and he took me to many great spots. I'm happy that I was able to do this photo session and add to my experience of Kyoto. I would definitely recommend it and do it again.
Mina ✓
Fluent
Conversational
Native
Biography
Hi, I’m Mina, your local photographer in Osaka and Kyoto.
I’ve been living in Japan since 2018 and working as a professional photographer for almost eight years. Photography is more than a job for me, it’s a way to connect with people and help them preserve the best moments of their travels in a natural and meaningful way.
I’m based in Osaka but spend a lot of time in Kyoto, where I know many beautiful locations, from iconic landmarks to quiet streets and hidden spots you would not easily find on your own. My photoshoots often feel like a relaxed walking tour, where we explore the city together while capturing great photos along the way.
Many guests tell me they usually feel shy or awkward in front of the camera, especially in crowded areas. I take pride in making you feel comfortable, giving clear and simple guidance on how to pose, and keeping the atmosphere fun and stress-free. I regularly show you the photos during the session and adapt based on what you like, so you always feel confident about the results.
Beyond photography, I enjoy sharing local tips, cultural insights, and small anecdotes about Japan, which makes the experience even more enjoyable. Whether you are traveling solo, as a couple, with friends, or celebrating a special occasion, my goal is to create beautiful photos and a memorable experience you’ll be happy to look back on.
I look forward to meeting you and capturing your time in Japan through photos you’ll truly cherish.
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Client Reviews
What clients are saying about Mina.
It was an awesome experience working with Mina! I had a fun time taking beautiful pictures that will make this memorable trip last forever. I definitely recommend this for any traveler looking to get some great shots of their trip. Very professional, considerate, and talented. Thank you again!!
We had a fantastic experience working with Mina for our photography session! He did an amazing job finding beautiful locations and guiding us through posing in a way that made us look our best. Mina was super attentive—he checked in often, showed us the shots as we went, and made sure we were happy with everything. The final photos turned out absolutely stunning, and we couldn’t be happier with how they came out. As a bonus, he also gave us some great local recommendations to check out after the shoot. Highly recommend working with Mina if you’re looking for a professional, personable, and talented photographer!
Wanna say a HUGE thanks to my photographer Mina for the wonderful and amazing photos! Mina is friendly and a wonderful guide too. The photos we had were absolutely stunning and we are glad that we chose Photo-Trips to document our trip! Thanks Mina & Photo-Trips!
I had an amazing outdoor photography session with Mina even though the weather didn’t cooperate! Despite the rain, he managed to turn the situation into an advantage, capturing stunning, atmospheric photos that exceeded all my expectations. Mina was incredibly patient and creative, guiding me on how to pose and making me feel completely at ease throughout the session. I highly recommend Mina to anyone looking for a skilled, friendly, and talented photographer. Thank you so much for such an amazing experience—I’ll treasure these photos forever!
Mina is a very friendly person in addition to being professional, he gives very good indications on the poses to take and gives interesting anecdotes. I recommend to book a shoot with him.
I was traveling solo and wanted to have nice souvenir photos taken since I’d only been able to take cheesy selfies and scenery photos. Mina was very friendly and gave me some good travel tips. The weather was not pleasant for me but in the photos you can’t tell that I was cranky and sweating under the yukata and that my feet hurt (lol). We took photos at a beautiful shrine, and in locations I never would’ve found by myself. I shared the photoshoot with another solo traveler so I got to take a short break whenever it was her turn for photos. I ended up having a nice talk with her afterwards and we exchanged social media information. Anyway, the photoshoot was affordable and fun because I didn’t have to think of my own poses since I’m so awkward. It was a fun experience and I would probably book one again
We had the most incredible couple photoshoot experience in Kyoto! Mina was professional, friendly, and made us feel so comfortable throughout the session. They knew all the best locations, and the photos turned out to be absolutely breathtaking, capturing the essence of Kyoto's beauty and our relationship perfectly. We will treasure these memories forever. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a special experience in Kyoto!
I recently had a great experience with the photographer who made the photo shoot incredibly comfortable and enjoyable. He was very accommodating, putting me at ease and capturing a wide array of photos to ensure I had plenty of options. The final photos were well edited. I'm happy with how they turned out. Just a little advice for those planning a session: consider giving yourself some extra time when scheduling. This allows you to fully relax and enjoy the experience without feeling rushed. I definitely recommend him if you're looking for a skilled photographer who can provide a seamless and satisfying photo shoot!
The photographer was very friendly and made it much more comfortable to pose in such crowded areas. If you feel anxious about posing in the public he is your guy. He’ll make sure you have some cool pictures to show for your trip.
Mina took some beautiful photos of me and my partner and took us to a couple places I wouldn’t have thought to go. He let us preview the photos he took and was professional in helping to guide our poses and a nice person to chat with. I would definitely recommend his photography services.
Mina was so lovely to work with! He took us on a photo tour showing us beautiful alleyways and spots we wouldn’t have seen without our photoshoot. So glad we found him on our trip to Kyoto. Thank you again MM!
Super nice and friendly! He helps you pose tells you the history of the place and gives you lots of tips for your trip.
Very friendly. Pre-trip coordination was good in terms of responsiveness and understanding the needs/ purpose of the shoot. Mina was also clear with his instructions and thoroughly enjoyed our time with him. He would let us do check the photos after taking and he was open to listening to what poses/views we want. Overall, good experience! Additional kudos for going the extra mile to help purchase flowers 🙂
It was amazing! Its such a beautifully curated photoshoot plus guided walking tour with Mina! Would love to have more such tours with Mina! Such a brotherly vibe person and full of energy! Highly recommended!
My photographer Mina was wonderful. Not only was he charismatic, he was very artful in his craft. In between shot locations, he spent time educating me about the culture, food, and language. Super friendly and positive experience. Would definitely book another one again!
Mina was awesome!! He took us to hidden gems in Kyoto that had not been on my travel itinerary and I absolutely loved all the sites!! He is very professional, takes his time to make sure you like the photos. He showed us some of the shots during the session to make sure we were ok with how the photos were turning out and adjust our poses/facial expressions accordingly. I ended up loving a lot of my photos that I had so many options to choose from!! 10/10 would recommend!!
The tour was very good, Mina knows very goods spots to take pictures! I highly recommend!
Mina is a charming and talented photographer. He made us feel at ease, shared his cakes with us, and captured beautiful memories that will last a lifetime!! My only regret is that we did not get to go to Osaka and party with him and a longer photo shoot lol. However that means we get to plan another trip to Japan and this time we will not be confined to one area but capture the entire trip. We love our photo catalogue of Kyoto. Thank you Mina! Bravo!
