The following photos were made during three public photoshoots organized in Kyoto during the Fall (2018 and 2019). The first one was organized by the PPK (Photo Partner Kyoto), an association of photographers in Kyoto. The scale is huge, with five maikos and geikos, three sessions and up to 200 photographers per session. In 2018, the photoshoot took place at the Chishakuin Temple. One of my photos received the Special Chishakuin Prize at the following photo contest.
This year, in 2019, the PPK photoshoot took place at the Kyoto National Museum, a surprisingly good location. There were large open spaces as well as small intimate gardens and tea house locations.
The Third photoshoot, organized by Maria Publication, took place at the beautiful Shôsei-en garden. Here also, five geimaikos (one from each Kagai) came for two separate sessions with about 50+ photographers each.
I will not argue that these photoshoots are crowded and often a source of frustration as one cannot always get the ideal position or angle, and we have almost no control over the model, how she poses or where she directs her eyes, the light, the location, and other details that would really enable some kind of personal photographic work.
On the other hand, these public photoshoots are a great opportunity and only cost a fraction of the normal price for a photoshoot with a maiko on location — yen 7,000 to 20,000, depending on the photoshoot, the number of sessions, the location, the number of models, the scale or number of photographers, and other details.
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