Rebecca and Robbie are Seattle natives who up and moved to Tokyo for an adventure together. Talk about a couple after my own heart! I first met them last summer after they contacted me to ask if it would be a problem working with me remotely, from Japan. “Heck no,” I said, “In fact, I might be heading out there in a few weeks.” And so I did… We met in-person over delicious Udon noodles in Roppongi, hit it off, and the rest is history.
These two fell deeply in love and started planning their future together during one of the most amazing, profound, and stressful experiences a person can have– living abroad. I can only imagine that it will be a wonderful foundation for a lifetime of adventures together. They approach life, and love, with a joyful playfulness that is as hilarious as it is infectious. I’ve loved every minute we’ve spent together so far!
We originally planned to take their engagement portraits in Seattle over the New Years holiday, but when it was decided that I was coming back to Japan for a SECOND time in 2011 (see my recent tsunami relief photographs) we realized that it was the perfect chance to get photographs of the two of them together in Tokyo. For their session, we planned a little date in the heart of Tokyo. First, a walking tour of Meiji Shrine, where we frolicked through the trees of the urban oasis and Rebecca and Robbie wrote prayer cards (ema) to send good wishes for their marriage to the Shinto deities. Then, we strolled Harajuku’s heart of trendy youth fashion: Takeshita street, and ogled the gaudy and grotesque goods for sale. Finally, we took the Yamanote line to Shibuya, where Rebecca and Robbie held hands to wade through the busiest crosswalk in the world — Hachiko crossing — in order to get to the delicious takoyaki just down the street at the Gindako on Center Gai. We said goodbye, and they said goodnight, on the Shibuya station Yamanote line platform while the packed train pulled in to the station. It. Was. Amazing.
Rebecca and Robbie are getting married this year at the lovely outdoor Sylvan Theater at the University of Washington this August, and we’re really, really excited and honored to be there. Thank you both for sharing your love, your joy, and your playful energy. We can’t wait to celebrate with you on this side of the Pacific!
Want to see more photographs from this session? Watch Rebecca + Robbie’s Tokyo Engagement Slideshow!
