TOKYO NIGHTS
JUNE 13-17, 2026
A SMALL-GROUP TOKYO PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP & GUIDED EXPERIENCE
東京の夜
Limited to 3 Particpants
The City After the Light Shifts
Late afternoon in Tokyo sets a different tone.
The light softens.
Colors deepen.
Edges that felt sharp hours earlier ease into something quieter and more deliberate.
Twilight arrives slowly here, and when it does, everything changes.
A soft glow settles across the buildings.
The pace evens out.
The entire city takes on a calm, cinematic quality — expansive in scale, yet intimate in feel.
This transition — from the last light of day into the first tones of night — is one of the most compelling windows to photograph in Tokyo. Soft twilight, deepening color, and the city’s natural rhythm all converge, revealing more the longer you stay with it.
Tokyo Nights is built around this progression of light.
Each afternoon begins with developing and reviewing your work, and then we move into the field as the city shifts — from warm daylight into soft twilight and into the glow of evening. The changing light becomes part of the experience, shaping how scenes unfold and how the photographs take form.
A Guided Photography Experience
The group is limited to three photographers, keeping the experience personal, focused, and steady. It allows us to move fluidly through the city, work quietly in each environment, and spend real time strengthening your way of seeing.
My approach is hands-on but unobtrusive. I place you in strong photographic environments and guide you through them with clarity — helping you recognize what’s holding, what isn’t, and how small decisions can bring a photograph together. The guidance is real-time and responsive, shaped by what each scene is offering.
We’ll work across a wide range of settings: elevated views with clean geometry, reflective surfaces as the city moves into night, quiet districts, and long, peaceful stretches along the Sumida River. Many of these areas are surprisingly calm, giving you space to slow down, observe clearly, and build images with intention.
It’s a guided photography experience designed to help you see more confidently and create stronger work — without pressure and without getting lost in the density of the city.
Why Tokyo Is an Extraordinary Place to Photograph
Tokyo offers a rare mix of complexity and calm — a city where movement, color, structure, and atmosphere overlap in ways you won’t find anywhere else. It rewards attention, patience, and a steady approach. Great images here aren’t a matter of luck. They come from learning how to see clearly in an environment that’s constantly shifting.
We’ll photograph soft twilight along the Sumida River, elevated views as the city lights rise, quiet neighborhoods with subtle atmosphere, and the electric energy of Shinjuku and Shibuya. Some areas feel peaceful and expansive. Others pulse with movement and color. Most nights include both — and learning how to work fluidly between them is part of the experience.
You’ll learn when to slow down, when to move, and how to recognize clean, intentional compositions even in scenes that feel overwhelming at first glance. Tokyo teaches you to work with clarity, presence, and confidence — qualities that carry into any environment you photograph.
The Rhythm of the Experience
Mornings are free.
Sleep in, explore, wander — there are no early call times. The days begin slowly and build toward the light we’re here to chase.
We meet in the early afternoon for image review and developing.
These sessions refine your eye and prepare you for the evening ahead. We look at what’s working, notice patterns in your images, and discuss how the city’s light and rhythm will shape that night’s approach.
From there, we step into the field as the day begins to shift — moving from late-afternoon warmth into soft twilight and into the glow of night. We photograph riversides, elevated views, quiet districts, and energetic intersections, letting each environment teach something different.
We work late, but not to exhaustion.
Taxis keep the pace comfortable, and we return with enough energy to rest and reset for the next day. It’s a steady, thoughtful flow designed to support both creativity and clarity.
After booking, you’ll receive a detailed pre-workshop brief with everything you need — where to stay, when to arrive and depart, how to navigate the city, what to pack, and practical notes about weather and evening shooting. It keeps the planning simple so you can focus on the experience.
What You’ll Learn
Photographing Tokyo — especially in the evening and at night — requires clarity, patience, and strong intention. The scenes can be busy or quiet, complex or minimal, shifting constantly as the light changes. Over five days, you’ll learn how to navigate these environments with confidence and create work that feels stronger, cleaner, and more personal.
You’ll learn how to:
see with intention — slowing down, observing clearly, and understanding what’s worth photographing
work within complexity — distilling busy environments into clean, balanced frames
use timing and rhythm — knowing when to wait, when to move, and how to let a scene come together
create images with presence — photographs that feel spacious, thoughtful, and aligned with your way of seeing
develop your work with clarity — strengthening what works, simplifying what doesn’t, and shaping the image so it feels complete
build work across multiple days — letting images naturally relate to one another as you create the beginnings of a meaningful urban series
This is not about chasing one-off shots.
And it’s not about memorizing formulas.
It’s about learning how to move through a complex environment with a steady, confident approach — one that leads to stronger images anywhere you go.
By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of your own process, a more intentional way of working, and images that reflect the best of what Tokyo has to offer.
From Past Participants
“I highly recommend Scott no matter where you are on your photographic path. I imagine everyone could benefit from his knowledge and especially his approach.”
— Randy Root, Telluride, Colorado
“My workshop with Scott opened up the world of fine art photography for me. I learned so much and continue to build upon what he taught me.”
— Laurie Drake, Knoxville, Tennessee
“I honestly believe my photography skills grew 100x after my workshop with Scott. His passion, experience, and knowledge of photography are extremely valuable. I walked away with some amazing images, but more importantly, new confidence and direction in my work. I highly recommend investing in one of his workshops.”
— Ryan Waddell, Sacramento, California
Logistics and Price
Dates
June 13–17, 2026
Five days and nights in Tokyo.
Group Size
Limited to 3 photographers.
Cost
$3,600
A 50% deposit is required to secure your place.
The remaining balance is due by April 25, 2026.
What’s Included
Five days of guided photography across Tokyo
Daily afternoon developing and image review
Evening and night shooting throughout multiple districts
Real-time, in-the-field guidance
A detailed pre-workshop brief after booking (accommodations, arrival/departure timing, metro guidance, packing notes, and local recommendations)
Personal email access for any questions as you prepare
What’s Not Included
Airfare
Hotel accommodations
Meals
Local transportation (public transit + taxis)
Observation deck fees when applicable
Travel and gear insurance
Walking & Comfort
We cover a good amount of ground each night, but taxis keep the pace comfortable. You should be able to walk 8,000–12,000 steps in an evening while carrying your gear.
Weather
June is warm with a chance of rain — part of what makes Tokyo’s evenings so atmospheric. Light rain is common and can enhance your images. The pre-workshop brief includes notes on preparing for variable weather.
Where I’ll Be Staying
I will be staying at the Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo.
You’re welcome to stay there or anywhere nearby for easy coordination.
Cancellation
This workshop requires all three spots to be filled in order to run. If fewer than three participants register, all payments will be refunded in full.
If this experience speaks to you —
the rhythm of twilight, the quiet clarity of working in a complex city, the chance to create meaningful images with intention — I’d love to have you join me.
Tokyo is an extraordinary place to photograph, and moving through it with a small group creates an energy you simply can’t find on your own. With only three participants, there’s room for real conversation, real guidance, and the space to make work you’re proud of.
If you’re ready to spend five nights seeing Tokyo in a new way — and to shape a fresh body of work along the way — I’d be honored to share the experience with you.
Reserve your place, and I’ll see you in Tokyo.
Reserve Your Spot
Only three spots available.
A 50% deposit secures your place.
Remaining balance due April 25, 2026.
Still have questions?
Read the Workshop FAQ →