Kyoto Private Photo Shoot & Tour By Snapkyoto

Matt was great and the photos are amazing! He was responsive and helpful, giving suggestions for time and location, helped organise kimono hire, and reached out days in advance when it looked like bad weather could affect the shoot. The shoot went smoothly and it was easy to follow his instructions. I love the photos!

The photoshoot with Matt was fantastic. Matt suggested great locations for our split-photoshooting and was highly flexible. For our shoot during the day we chose the Daigo-ji temple and the Gion district for our night shooting. The price for the shooting was good and the photos turned out beautifully. Communication with Matt was easy and quick. I'd definitely work with him again!

Matt did an absolutely incredible job capturing our time in Kyoto. We loved the location he recommended at a less touristy temple and he sent us all the photos on the following day. Couldn’t be happier with ALL of the shots! Would highly recommend Matt for any of your photography needs in Kyoto or Japan.

I contacted many operators for our family photoshoot. Matt stood out because he was prompt and answered all questions to my satisfaction. He even did a quick whats app video call which reassured me that we are working with the right person. We did a 1 hour photoshoot and got beautiful 50 pictures within 24 hours of the shoot.

Matt was the absolute best. The Simona shop used was nice and quaint. Matt was very patient, kind and professional. He went above and beyond for us and I can't thank him enough. This is a must do experience.

Matt was very helpful during our photos and during our surprise engagement very foreigner friendly!

I wrote the same review on Google, but wanted to put it on here as well for visibility. Incredible experience and photos: I booked Matt for a surprise proposal photoshoot about two weeks before I planned to do it. The process was smooth and Matt was super understanding and helpful throughout the whole thing. His knowledge of the area in Kyoto helped make the proposal go better than I had initially planned. We actually ended up arriving an hour late to our proposed time, but even then he was incredibly understanding and patient. The actual photos were beautiful and my fiancee and I are so happy with how everything turned out. If you're looking to book anyone in the Kyoto or Osaka area, I can't recommend Matt enough. Thanks again Matt!

We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer! He was so easy to work with and always quick to respond, which made planning effortless. He was also amazing with our two year old daughter—patient, engaging, and able to capture her natural smiles. He also went above and beyond by helping us book our kimono rental. His upbeat and positive energy really set the tone for the shoot. On top of that, we received our photos much faster than expected, and they turned out absolutely stunning. We couldn’t be happier with the results and would highly recommend Matt!

Matt was the best. Amazing experience in helping me propose by helping with the location, time to have the least amount of people present, and skills. Pictures came out amazing! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Thank you again Matt for perfect pictures!

We loved our family photo shoot with Matt in Kyoto in March 2026. Being our first trip to Japan, he knew exactly where to take us on a walking photography tour covering all the iconic highlights and famous spots of Kyoto. We also caught an early blooming sakura cherry blossom, which made the photos extra special. Beautiful images and a wonderful experience. Highly recommend SnapKyoto.

Engaged Matt for a surprise proposal photo shoot and he absolutely delivered! He recommended locations for the shoot, as well as options on how the shoot can be done, whether as a surprise (which would be tough) or pre-planned with the proposal not being a surprise. I requested for it to be a surprise and he was very patient with me as I tried to get my partner to the designated spot for the surprise proposal. We were very lucky that it snowed just the day before, and the landscape was absolutely gorgeous and Matt was able to capture the beauty of the scenery as well as the key moments which we would love to look back onto in the years to come. He was able to turn-around the photos very quick too and sent across all the photos the day after the shoot which we really appreciated. All in all Matt was great, and the photos were great too! Highly recommend!

Excellent photographer. Very professional, knowledgeable and kind. I recommend his services if you are in Japan for a great experience.

Despite turning out to be a rainy afternoon, Matt was able brighten our spirits by making our photoshoot fun and engaging. Kyoto was showing off its beautiful fall colors and Matt captured not only the beauty in his pictures but also somehow made us look great, despite being a little wet from the rain. You can't even tell that it had been raining in the pictures! Thanks again Matt for capturing some amazing moments in Kyoto.

Amazing experience with Matt. He captured incredible engagement photos for us at multiple temples/shrines in Kyoto. Best photographer in the area.

We had initially booked one day with Matt but the tour and photos were so good that we ended up booking an extra half day. Matt took spectacular photos throughout the day but also told us so much about life in Japan and the different places we visited. He was very respectful and polite throughout and also fun to be with. I highly recommend Matt if you want a tour but also great memories without having to worry about asking strangers to take photos, especially with the large crowds we have encountered at every stop.

I had a wonderful photography session with Matt in the Gion district. He was very professional and friendly. I highly recommend hiring Matt for any photography needs in Kyoto or Osaka. Thanks for the photos, Matt!

We had an exceptional day with Matt! We hired him as a full day tour guide as well as the photographer for our group of 6 friends. The communication was really easy and on time via IG messaging and/or WhatsApp prior to the trip. He had planned a full day itinerary visiting 4 different sites and also had arranged a comfortable private transportation. (extra fee directly to the driver) Even an amazing lunch spot! He is extremely knowledgeable with the history and culture. We learned a lot and appreciated what we were seeing and experiencing. He is very pleasant and easy to work with. Fun and humorous energy. His photographs of us were absolutely lovely capturing the beauty of Kyoto and our good time combined. We all agreed that it was the best part of our Japan trip! So much gratitude. I highly recommend Matt. You won't regret it!

We booked a photoshoot with Matt (SnapKyoto) and couldn’t be happier! From the very beginning, Matt was professional, friendly, and accommodating. He has an incredible eye for detail, and thanks to his years of living in Japan, he knows the most stunning locations that tourists would never find on their own. The session felt effortless, more like strolling through beautiful streets with a friend who just happens to be a world-class photographer. The results speak for themselves - the photos are simply breathtaking, capturing both candid moments and iconic backdrops in the best possible way. If you are in Japan and want not just photos but memories to last a lifetime, SnapKyoto is a must. Matt made our trip unforgettable, and I’d recommend him to anyone without hesitation!

Matt did a great photoshoot for our son’s 1st birthday, we love the photos!! It was a great experience. We highly recommend

Matt was very easy to work with even if you aren't used to getting your photos taken. Despite the crowd (it was peak momiji season), he was able to take good photos.

Matt was very easy to work with and was very professional. He made the photo shoot an stress-free experience for both my wife and I at a high-traffic location like the Inari Shrine. His recommendation on the kimono rental was great too; my wife got a lot of compliments! I highly recommend anyone looking for some gorgeous pictures taken during their time in Kyoto to get in touch with Matt.

We were taking our elderly grandma to Japan for the first time and we knew we wanted a kimono photoshoot. We scoured through many listings on tripadvisor and airbnb but wanted something specific than what was offered. I reached out to Matt to ask if he had a time slot and one location he could focus on. His communication was prompt and informational which I appreciated. We ended up choosing to do a one hour photoshoot at Fushimi Inari with the whole family dressed in kimonos. The thing I appreciated the most about Matt was that he was very knowledgeable about the best places to go for photos and that he was very confident in taking up space. We were a little shy but he really helped us get more comfortable for the photos. We really appreciated all the work he did with us!

We really enjoyed the photoshoot with Matt! He is very kind and also funny. The photos are excellent! He knows what he does and gives you a good feeling. You can tell him your wishes and he will consider it. Bonus: he knows the best rental stores for kimonos and also booked the time slot in the kimono rental for us. The rental store was also very good. You won't regret it if you book him! We love to look at the photos. They bring back the wonderful memories

This is the 3rd time I visit Kyoto and meet Matt for a photo shoot. Matt has the ability to capture great angles. Matt is very engaging and I like how he helps me pose for a better picture. Matt is a skilled photographer and fun.

My photo session with Matt was fantastic! He guided me every step of the way, from recommending places to rent my kimono to selecting the perfect location for our shoot. We loved the photos he took—they were stunning! He delivered them very quickly, and his work is truly professional

Matt was great all around. He brought us to all the popular locations as well as more private locations to make sure we had a good range of shots. Fushimi Inari was very crowded, but Matt found a way to get us amazing photos. He was very accommodating to our tight schedule and flexible with posing. Nor was he discouraged at all by the weather (high chance of rain that day). We got all the edited photos very quickly too! Matt is great!

Wanted to get good photos of me and my now fiancé while visiting Kyoto. Matt well exceeded our expectations. He was friendly, knowledgeable and pleasant to work with. We received more than enough pictures to remember our favorite trip. Thank you Matt, we’ll surely be back and book you again!

We had a great experience with Matt as our photographer in Kyoto. He was friendly, approachable, and helped us feel comfortable throughout the shoot. Matt knew some excellent locations, which made everything run smoothly and efficiently, and his photography skills really showed in the beautiful photos we received. Beyond being professional, Matt was also easy to talk to, and we enjoyed our conversations along the way—it sometimes felt more like a relaxed walk than a photoshoot. We’re very happy with the results and would gladly work with him again. Highly recommend his services!

I had the most wonderful experience with Matt! The photos were gorgeous and Matt was wonderful enough to go out of his way and show me around so many hidden spots in Gion! I would highly recommend this to any family friends. I came home with wonderful photos, and also learned so much during our walk. Wish I had the time to do the longer multi sight tour, but will have to save it for another visit to Kyoto. Thank you, Matt for a wonderful tour and stunning photos to remember my time in Kyoto!

I can't say enough nice things about this experience. The pictures were gorgeous! The setting was ideal and not something we would have necessarily been able to find ourselves!! Matt was fun and easy to work with. He got the photos back to us lightning-fast. Also, I really liked the kimono shop he picked - it was a fun addition to the day.

I had such a fun time during the photography session with Matt. It was a rainy day, but he remained positive and cheerful throughout. He sent the photos very promptly afterwards, and I LOVE how they turned out! He chose great locations, has excellent/dynamic composition, and helped direct me throughout the shoot, which made me feel completely at ease. I'm so happy with the results! Highly recommend!

The overall sakura photoshoot experience was spectacular, Compliments to Matt’s Photography skills for making sure I look my best. I highly recommend this experience.

Great photos of my family with the sakuras in Kyoto. Matt is just wonderful and patient with our kids (7 & 10 yrs old). I would definitely recommend Matt to my friends and families visiting Kyoto area!

Supperrr love our photos! Matt was so wonderful and patient with our kids (10 & 7 yrs old). Will definitely recommend Matt to our family and friends visiting Kyoto area!

Matt was a terrific host, an amazing photographer, and a great person to work with! He was exceptionally flexible when we had a scheduling snafu that was was not his fault. We were pleased with the results and would highly recommend him to others!

Matt s an excellent tour guide and great photographer. He took us to all the special places in Kyoto along with great information about each stop while taking amazing photos along the way. Highly recommended! Mahalo Matt!

Matt was amazing! He was able to meet us close to our hotel and knew of the quieter places to get the best photos. He also was a great guide to Kyoto and was able to give us the history of the spots we visited. I will recommend him to my family visiting next year and would book again.

Our family had a great time seeing the top tourist sights in Kyoto with Matt and love the pictures he took! During our day tour with him we felt like we got a great overview to the city. So many of the sights have huge crowds of tourists and Matt somehow managed to get great shots of just our family. Definitely book a photo shoot /tour with him if you have a chance!

If you are looking for a great memories of your trip to Kyoto, this is a must experience. Matt is a very skilled photographer and will take the time to get the best of you.

Matt is an amazing local photographer. When were ever back in Japan, we'll reach out to him again. He was informative, gave us amazing pics. He knew his way around town, timing and patience was key during our session. He found the right spots and worked thru all the tourist. Are pictures were great. Candid, professional and IG worthy. Thank you so much.

Matt is an excellent photographer He really recommends you how to pose and what and how to do it. The quality of the photos are amazing! I definitely will recommend to my friends and everyone who ask me about my photos on Instagram! Thanks a lot! Cata, Mau, Juan and Randy 💖

When we asked the kids what they’d recommend to a friend visiting Japan, my son said ‘meet Matt’! Matt was an amazing guide and gave us great background on the areas we visited. There's no way I would have navigated Kyoto as well on my own. The photos are amazing and he definitely knows the best spots and lighting. Our tour with Matt was the highlight of our vacation.

Matt was an amazing photographer and gave us not only an great tour of Kyoto but also so many wonderful and beautiful photographs that we will cherish, an absolute must to memorise your time in Japan

Matt is an exceptional photographer in Kyoto who possesses an excellent knowledge of great photo spots. His photography skills are top-notch, resulting in the best possible shots. Additionally, Matt is incredibly friendly and easy to engage in discussions. I highly recommend his services for anyone looking for a talented photographer in Kyoto.

Matt was so much fun to spend time with. He was amazing with our kids, shared cultural information, and ultimately sent us gorgeous photos (the next day!!). We loved this experience and would highly recommend it!

Matt took us to some cool hidden spots around Kyoto that wasn't packed with tourists so we were able to get some really nice posed and action shots that looked great on instagram! If you're looking for a cycling tour that comes with your own entertaining tour guide and professional photographer, this is the perfect tour for you! Thanks Matt! Wish we had enough time to book sushi making with your wife too! Hope to try that next time ☺️🚴🏯⛩️🎎🎏📸🇯🇵

This is the best experience I had in Kyoto, and would definitely recommend it. Matt is super nice and friendly and goes out of his way to make sure you're having a good time. The itinerary is well designed and we got to see many of Kyoto's top highlights. The bike ride is not too strenuous but we still got a good workout - it's definitely a nice way to get around town and get into the small alleyways that you'd never visit otherwise. On top of all that, Matt is a wonderful photographer and we got a collection of great photos that Matt took of us - and he sent it to us within the day. It was such a unique all-in-one experience, and I would recommend all to meet Matt!

A MUST experience for bike lovers. Kyoto is a great place to bike and with a guide like Matt you get to go through beautiful parts of Kyoto and get some interesting information of the city. Had the best time, don't miss out this experience!

My 3 best friends and I took a bike tour with Matt just after this past new year. He had such a great vibe, and so much knowledge about Kyoto. We visited shrines, temples, and even a few parks in the are. Matt made us feel so comfortable and we loved exploring Kyoto by bike!