I’ve always had this random thought after I deliver images to clients: How do clients save their images? While it really isn’t my place to ask or wonder, I’ve begun thinking about it recently after receiving some very worried emails from clients asking if there were any copies of their images I can re-send. TOPTIA Photography has been in business for almost 8 years now. That’s 8 years of sessions with hundreds and sometimes even thousands of images. My cloud and hard drives are looking a bit plump! Whether you’ve had a lifestyle family photo session, a milestone event, or stunning portraits ..read more

Earlier this month I was photographing someone who was not only a client but also a good friend who is so fun to hang out with. For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why they kept saying they absolutely hated their photos. We brainstormed what kind of emotions and feelings we wanted to evoke in their images and we narrowed everything down to two points one that showcased their work with young people and another highlighting their interactions with corporate audiences —an audience they are rarely around. As we went through the session, I noticed that they did such an excellent job posing fo ..read more

Spring in Tokyo is a season of life reborn shown by the arrival of delicate cherry blossoms, or “sakura,” blanketing the city in various shades of pink and white. It’s also the perfect time to embrace this refreshing feeling of rebirth and capture some stunning cherry blossom portraits! If you’re in Tokyo during this magical time, we’ve got you covered with the ideal locations to frame your perfect sakura portraits. Take a look at our favorite places to shoot! Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: These gardens are known as one of the most iconic spots to view the cherry blossoms in Tokyo! There ar ..read more

It was amazing to be in the presence of some phenomenal photographers in the industry Felix Kuniz, Pratik Naik, and Bella Kotak. They were the three hosts welcoming us to this wonderful adventure that is Cape Town in the summer months. It was my first time going to Africa and I’m so glad I got to kick off my first adventure on the continent here in Cape Town. It’s such a wonderful city very similar to my home in North Carolina. North Carolina is known for having mountains five hours away from the oceanic coast. However, Cape Town has taken North Carolina and squeezed it into one city with the ..read more

I do a lot of consultations with potential clients and one thing is for sure: A LOT of people HATE the idea of being photographed. A lot of folks are uncomfortable when they see a camera pointed in their direction, and the thought of being photographed creates anxiety. This is especially true for Japanese natives who may value their privacy protectively. As I’m sure many of us have noticed, with technology growing the demand for video and anything visual, avoiding photographs altogether is not always possible nor practical. Whatever the occasion, an event, or a family portrait session, there a ..read more

If I could describe this year in one word, it would be “ambitious.” Thank you so much to everyone who trusted us in creating wonderful moments with you. Capturing your triumphs and milestones in a way that makes you feel comfortable and confident is why we do what we do. Cheers to doing it all again in 2024 ..read more

Did you know that a furisode is a type of traditional Japanese kimono that is known for its long sleeves? Just like the other kinds of kimonos such as a yukata, a tomesode, or a shiromuku, the furisode has a specific purpose for the young ladies who wear them. Here are several points that distinguish a furisode from other kimonos: Rite of Passage Firstly, a young woman such as a daughter or a granddaughter might wear this kimono symbolizing their journey to adulthood. On January 10th of every year, communities will often see groups of young women wearing these kimonos to a local event with the ..read more

Heeeeeeey there fam! Fall is here and NO that does not mean buckets of pumpkin-spice lattes. It’s the perfect time for a family photo session. The vibrant leaves, decorative sweaters, and warm sun create a picture-perfect backdrop for capturing those special moments with your loved ones. But what to wear? Fret not! We’ve gotcha covered with some fabulous fall fashion tips that will help you look your best and make your holiday photos truly memorable. Embrace the Autumn Color Palette Fall is about rich and earthy tones. Think about those deep reds, warm oranges, rustic browns, and vibrant yell ..read more

It’s almost autumn portrait session season! To be honest, autumn photo sessions are one of my favorite types of family & couples portrait sessions! The season is pretty lengthy compared to shorter spring and summer flower seasons and the temperature is just right! I get quite a few inquires from parents hoping to have a session with their family for their holiday and new year nengajo cards. We’ll all sit together talking about where we’d do the photo session, with who, and how we can style everyone for our upcoming session. Then my ears perk when a parent warns me about their biggest co ..read more

Whether you’re a ballet, hip hop contemporary dancer, or any dancer looking to showcase your artistic athleticism, getting yourself out there to dance ensembles or tropes is imperative in growing your career. This post is here to help dancers create a list of the different types of images needed to get ahead. Naturally, having videos and copies of playbills of past and present choreographies will help directors make their selection but also having still images describing who you are and what you can do also prove very useful. Here is a list of things you can include in your very own portfolio ..read more