Ask and You Shall Be Given

“Um… actually, I don’t do any photography. I came here because I want to be photographed. I’m a harpist, and I’d love to do a photoshoot with my harp.”

Yep. That’s how I introduced myself to a room full of photographers. It also marks the start of an amazing photoshoot I had recently, with two incredible photographers.

Here’s how it happened…

I wanted to start my website, but there was a problem: I didn’t have any good photos of me playing the harp. And my budget for professional photography? Zero.

So, what did I do? I opened the Meetup app, browsed Tokyo’s photography groups, and—bingo!—found a photography meetup event.

Full disclosure: I don’t own a proper camera. My smartphone is my only photography tool. But I went anyway. And that’s how I met Mathilde and Eriko, two incredibly talented and welcoming photographers. Mathilde and Eriko, if you’re reading this—thank you for not being scared off by me that night; I could have been easily seen as a narcissist, haha. (One photographer actually was turned off and wasn’t at all thrilled to learn that I came to find photographers to take my pictures, haha.)

From left to right (me, Mathilde, and Eriko) after our photoshoot session

Afterwards, we formed a LINE group and started brainstorming. I knew I wanted an outdoor shoot by the sea, so I made a moodboard.

Mathilde and Eriko were totally in. Mathilde even created her own moodboard inspired by Pre-Raphaelite paintings, reflecting her love of arts.

Picture from that night of me and Mathilde, taken by Eriko

Finally the photoshoot day came. It was a full-on adventure. We traveled to Jogashima Island on the Miura Peninsula, battled strong winds, and at one point, both Mathilde and Eriko ended up with shoes full of water from crashing waves! It was chaotic, exhilarating, and really fun!

The photos also turned out incredible. When I first saw the results, I literally squealed in my room because they were that beautiful (check out the results here and here). Even though the subject (me and the harp) and the location were the same, each photographer’s unique vision shines through.

I feel really proud of myself for showing up that night to dare being shameless in asking. Sometimes, I hesitate to express my true feelings and wants. So here’s a reminder for myself in the future to keep on being daring.

And as the quote says:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

Left: my moodboard, right: Mathilde's moodboard