Before Sofia Hiramatsu Photographed Weddings, She Lived Between Worlds

British Pakistani, born and raised in Birmingham, with years spent living in Hong Kong and the UAE before settling in Japan - by the time Sofia Hiramatsu picked up a camera professionally in 2014, she'd already lived across four countries. That path shows up in her photography more than any single technique does: a decade in, she still describes every wedding she shoots as a new story told in a different language. Based in Nagoya with a second base in the UK, Sofia now photographs around 20 weddings a year across Japan, Asia, and Europe.

Based in Nagoya with a second base in the UK, Sofia now photographs around 20 weddings a year across Japan, Asia, and Europe.

A Life Lived Between Cultures

"Born and raised in Birmingham in the UK, with roots in Pakistan and years spent living in Hong Kong and the UAE, I now call Japan home. This perspective shapes how I connect with people and the way I approach every story I document." 

More than ten years into the work, she still credits that background with keeping the job interesting. "The people. No two couples carry their love the same way, and after more than ten years I still find myself moved by the small, unrepeatable things - a father's face, a burst of laughter, the stillness of a private glance," she reflects. 

Living between cultures, from Birmingham to Hong Kong, the UAE and now Japan, has made me endlessly curious about how people connect, and every wedding feels like a new story told in a different language.

Away from the wedding day itself, Sofia describes her life in plain terms. "I'm a mum, a wife, and a frequent flyer," she says. "I like to shoot unobtrusively, offering guidance when needed while creating space for you to fully be yourselves. The result is work that reflects not just how your day looked, but how it felt."

Why Her Photographs Lean Into Red and Gold 

Ask Sofia to describe her own photographic identity, and color comes up before anything else. 

My work is shaped by deep reds, rich contrast, and a signature golden warmth, tones that echo the emotional depth of the moments I capture. I'm drawn to what is real and often overlooked: quiet glances, subtle gestures, and the in-between. Blending documentary storytelling with an editorial eye, I create imagery that feels both honest and considered.

Part of that look comes down to the tools she shoots with. "I photograph using a combination of digital and film, leaning on film for its ability to slow things down and bring a timeless, understated quality to your day," she explains. 

"It allows moments to unfold naturally, resulting in imagery that feels both intimate and enduring." 

Film shows up again when she talks about staying inspired after a decade of weddings. "Film keeps me inspired too; there's a patience to it that reminds me to slow down and really see. As long as there are real moments worth preserving, I don't think the inspiration will ever run out."

What keeps her behind the camera, more than anything, is a specific kind of ease. 

"Honestly, it's the feeling of being completely at ease behind the camera. That's where I feel most myself - relaxed, present, and tuned in to everything unfolding around me. I love the quiet art of capturing something authentic the moment it happens, but I also love the play of it: experimenting with light, finding an unexpected angle, and creating images that feel like art rather than just documentation. Getting to do both, witness the realness and craft something beautiful from it, never stops being a privilege."

Japan at Home, Europe in Summer 

"I'm based in Japan, with a second base in the UK, and I work across both," Sofia notes. Her range extends well past those two countries. 

I work mainly in Japan and the UK, but I'm delighted to offer my services beyond Japan, capturing refined celebrations across some of Asia's most captivating destinations, including Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the UAE, she says.

"With close ties to the UK and a regular presence there during the summer months, I'm also available for a limited number of weddings and private commissions across Europe in summer." Beyond that footprint, she's open to going anywhere. "Yes, I'm available worldwide," she confirms - though she keeps her calendar to around 20 weddings a year.

Two Traditions, Side by Side 

Asked for her most unforgettable wedding location, Sofia doesn't have to think long. "Shogunzuka Seiryuden in Kyoto - perched above the city with sweeping views, it's breathtaking," she says.

Asked which wedding has stayed with her most, though, she describes a celebration built around two traditions held side by side rather than blended into one.

"A fusion wedding I photographed in the UK: the bride was Chinese, the groom Indian, and they honored both heritages in a single day- a full Hindu ceremony and a Chinese tea ceremony, side by side. It was a dream tophotograph. The colour alone was extraordinary - the reds and golds, the elegance of the tea ceremony, every detail rich with meaning," Sofia says. 

"But what stayed with me most was the love that ran through it: two families coming together, generations celebrating side by side, so much joy and emotion in every embrace. Days like that remind me why I do this, the chance to hold two worlds, two families, and one love story all in the same frame."

The Camera Is Only One Part of the Service 

Sofia's work doesn't stop at photography itself. "I work alongside a team of planners who handle everything for our clients," she notes. 

Together we're a creative powerhouse for couples marrying in Japan, Asia and beyond: cinematic, emotion-led imagery backed by elite local connections and seamless planning from start to finish.