Tokyo-based, timeless and natural wedding, elopement and portrait photography across Japan & the UK
Sam Spicer
My work is
Real, relaxed, and quietly emotive. For couples who value connection, nature, and honest storytelling.
Here is my story
Hey, im Sam Spicer
I’m a British wedding and elopement photographer based in Tokyo. For most of the year, I’m in Japan, photographing love stories in the country's most breathtaking spots. Come summer, I’m often back in the UK, usually around Kent or London. Photography, for me, is about honest moments. The quiet glances, emotions, the soft light, the way a place holds meaning. My style is natural and timeless, with a documentary feel and a hint of fine art and editorial flare. I like to keep things relaxed and authentic, giving you space to be yourselves while I focus on capturing it all with thought and care.
Connection & Care
I didn’t always plan to be a photographer. My early career started in the military before moving into the humanitarian field with the International Red Cross. It was demanding and could often be intense, but it taught me to see people, to really see them, with my own level of calm, clarity, and compassion that has remained with me ever since.
Photography was always a quiet constant in the background. A way to slow down, to make sense of things, and to tell stories that didn’t need words, with the help of photography, a gentler pace of being swept me up. In 2017, I decided to turn that quiet passion into something more. I left my career and started my own business, camera in hand, shooting weddings, elopements and portraits back in the UK.
A few years later, I moved to Japan. Living here has given me a deeper appreciation for space, stillness, and the natural world. My work naturally shifted alongside that, too, more elopements, more travel, more tales of love and more moments that feel rooted in place and story. It’s still growing, still evolving, but it’s always grounded in connection and care.
My Role, Your Day.
I’m not the kind of photographer who’ll have you stiffly posing or repeating moments over and over. I like to keep things relaxed and real with some gentle guidance. Most of the time, I’m gently in the background, taking a step back to notice the little details, then stepping in when it helps, without making a fuss.
My style is natural with a documentary feel and a fine art / editorial edge. I’m drawn to soft light, meaningful places, and those small in-between moments that often say the most. Whether we’re wandering through a forest trail or tucked into a quiet tea house, I want the experience to feel easy, never staged.
I know it can feel strange being in front of a camera, but most people say they forget I’m even there. That’s always the goal, for you to feel comfortable, present, and like yourselves. I’ll handle the rest.
Peace & Understanding
Outside of weddings and elopements, I like to keep life relaxed with some adventures sprinkled in. I practise yoga most mornings, hike when I can, and find a lot of peace in everyday things - a hot onsen, a walk through a mossy garden, or a morning coffee with good friends. During my time here, Japan has become home in many ways, although I’ve spent most of my adult life across Asia, including seven years in Thailand. I speak fluent Thai, and my Japanese is a work in progress. That cross-cultural experience is invaluable when working with couples from diverse backgrounds or collaborating with local vendors. Communication is vital to me, which is why I’m so committed to learning languages and culture to remove any barriers from your experience.
I’m not in this just to take lovely photos. I want the whole experience, from the first message to the final gallery, to feel thoughtful, calm, and personal. I genuinely enjoy connecting with people, and I think that shows in the work I create.
Wedding photography in Tokyo. Working across Japan.
As a wedding and elopement photographer based in Tokyo, Japan, I capture love stories throughout the city and beyond, from quiet Shinto shrines and hidden alleyways to forest trails just outside the city. Whether you're planning a whole wedding or an intimate elopement, Japan offers the perfect mix of nature, culture and the cinematic charm that drew me in.
Why do I do things differently?
I don’t shoot back-to-back weddings every weekend. I’ve scaled things back on purpose so I can give each couple the attention they actually deserve. When I’m there on your day, I want to be fully present, not just another service provider ticking boxes. People often say they felt calm around me. That they could just relax, enjoy themselves, and not worry about the camera. That’s exactly how it should be. I’m not there to direct your day or get in the way; I’m there to quietly capture it as it really is, with all its atmosphere, feeling, and little details. Of course though, I will provide guidance and direction when needed.
I’ve seen many photographers and planners become so busy that they forget the people in front of them. I don’t ever want to be like that. I care about this work and the people I work with. That’s why I do fewer weddings, and why I put more into each one.
If that sounds like your kind of approach, I’d love to hear from you.
If you’re planning something meaningful with someone you love, I’d love to hear more about it. Head to my contact page to get started.
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@SAMSPICER.PHOTO