Photo Studio – Portrait Photographer

• Address: Tokyo, Shibuya, Dogenzaka 2-18-11, Sunmall Dogenzaka Bldg. 701 (7th floor)
• JG Studio is located in Dogenzaka, the district of Shibuya behind the Shibuya 109 Department Store.
• The studio can be reached within 5 minutes of walking from Shibuya or Shinsen station.
• If you come by car, parking spaces are available nearby.

• 1 sofa
• 1 black stool
• 4 black chairs
• 1 black dining table
• 1 lacquered wood coffee table
• 3 plants
• 2 yoga mats
• You can customize the layout.

• 1 white paper backdrop (width: 2.20 m)
• 1 black paper backdrop (width: 2.20 m)
• 1 Manfrotto tripod
• 1 SmallRig RC 60B COB LED Light
• 2 bi-color 24W LED light panels (20 cm x 16 cm)
• 1 Godox AD200Pro flash
• 1 Godox X2 Series TTL wireless flash trigger (🚨 works only with Sony cameras)
• 1 Godox UB-85D umbrella (85 cm)
• You can bring your own equipment and accessories.

Included in the studio rental price

• Shoes are not allowed in the studio, except as accessories.
• Please do not use devices emitting smoke because they will set off the smoke detectors.
• When using the studio, take care not to scratch the floor and keep the backdrop in good condition.

• Address: Tokyo, Shibuya, Dogenzaka 2-18-11, Sunmall Dogenzaka Bldg. 701 (7th floor)
• JG Studio is located in Dogenzaka, the district of Shibuya behind the Shibuya 109 Department Store.
• The studio can be reached within 5 minutes of walking from Shibuya or Shinsen station.
• If you come by car, parking spaces are available nearby.

1. Consultation: At the time of booking your shoot, we’ll chat about your goals. Tell me about the style, mood, and purpose of the photos you desire. You can send me photos that illustrate the look you’d like to achieve.

2. Photoshoot Day: I’ll guide you through posing and ensure we get those perfect shots. Once the session is over, you can select the photos to keep or let me choose them.

3. Editing: I shoot in RAW format for maximum image quality. This allows me to create stunning edits that enhance your photos. My focus is on perfecting the light and color balance, cropping for a polished look, and refining skin tones for a natural, radiant glow. 7 days after the photo shoot, I will send you a link to view and download your edited photos in full resolution.

• A fashion designer called on my services to take photos of her creations for her e-commerce site and social media. She came to the studio with her creations, three models and a make-up artist. In the space of two hours, we produced photos on a white background, which I then edited. One week after the photoshoot, the photos were ready to be shared on her various platforms.

• The singer of a Japanese girl band wanted to create a model portfolio to collaborate with clothing brands. We planned the different styles for a varied and coherent portfolio, and conducted the photoshoot over an afternoon at the studio. I hired a makeup artist and a hairstylist to perfect the singer’s style.

• Nabilla, the most famous French influencer, wanted to take photos of her birthday in Tokyo for her Instagram account (with over 9 million followers). We shot in the lounge of Tokyo’s Mandarin Oriental hotel, where I brought along discreet lighting equipment so as not to disturb the other guests. The photos were “liked” by over 368,000 people.

• An online Japanese language school wanted to have headshots of each of its teachers to bring the platform closer to its students. This way, students could see the face of the teacher in charge of the selected course. I took the photos at the school’s headquarters, where there was also a library and a large terrace, to create a different atmosphere for each teacher and bring variety.

5 Best Practices to Create Your Model Portfolio in Japan

Tokyo, October 8, 2024 by JG

Are you an aspiring model in Japan looking to create a stunning portfolio? Well, I’ve got some great tips for you. For this, the photo shoot starting your portfolio will be a crucial step in launching your career. Check out these 5 best practices that will help make your photo shoot efficient and your portfolio shine in Japan!

1. Pre-Production Planning

Concept and Mood: Brainstorm a clear concept and mood for your portfolio. This could be a specific theme, style, or emotion you want to portray.

Shot List: Create a list outlining the poses, outfits, and expressions you want to capture. This keeps the shoot focused and prevents you from forgetting anything.

Location Scouting: Find a location that complements your concept and offers variety. Consider natural light and backgrounds. JG Studio offers an ideal space for different styles.

2. Teamwork

Photographer: Choose a photographer who aligns with your vision and understands your goals. Research their portfolio and discuss your expectations beforehand. As the photographer of JG Studio, I always request my clients to share some photos with me before a photo shoot. This helps me comprehend their objectives and the look they aim for.

Makeup and Hair: If your budget allows it, invest in professional makeup and hairstyling to elevate your look.

3. Be Camera-Ready

Skincare: To ensure your skin looks its best, it’s important to hydrate properly and get a good night’s sleep before the photo session.

Practice Poses: Rehearse basic poses in front of a mirror to feel confident during the shoot.

Bring Variety: Pack different outfits, accessories, and shoes to create diverse looks within your chosen theme(s).

4. Engage & Enjoy The Shoot

Communication is Key: Communicate openly with your photographer. Don’t hesitate to ask for adjustments.

Have Fun!: Relax, be natural, and don’t overdo your poses. The more you enjoy the process, the better your photos will be.

5. Post-Production

Image Selection: While shooting, collaborate with your photographer to select the best photos representing your strengths and versatility.

Editing: Apply some edits like cropping, exposure adjustments, and color correction to enhance your photos without overdoing it. JG Studio provides professional editing to deliver high-quality portfolio shots after each photo session.

Following these tips, you can create stunning photos that capture your unique personality and impress potential agencies and clients. There is a true potential for foreign models in Japan.
Remember that your portfolio is an investment in your modeling career that requires time and commitment. Be patient and persistent!

Bonus Tip: Even if you can find jobs speaking only in English, it is a huge advantage as a model to be able to speak Japanese. So, learn the language as much as possible and meet people in Japan.