READING TIME: 2 min 52 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/07/2025
From quiet shrines to sweeping vistas, Tracey and Dee — the heart and hands behind 37 Frames — craft wedding stories that travel beyond time. With roots in Japan and wanderlust in their souls, they bring a cinematic, culturally attuned sensibility to each frame they take.
We are Tracey and Dee, founders of 37 Frames, based in Tokyo and photographing (and planning!) weddings around the world.
Our journey began more than 20 years ago with a shared love of storytelling, travel, different cultures and connection. Living in Japan for nearly three decades has deeply influenced our aesthetic; cinematic, thoughtful, and infused with cultural nuance.
Alongside our work at home, we’ve photographed weddings across more than 20 countries. For us, it’s always been about people, places, and the stories that bring them together.
“We’ve been photographing weddings and stories for over 20 years.”
What started as a passion has become a beautiful journey through more than 20 countries and countless love stories, each one inspiring us to see the world with new eyes.
When asked how they’d describe their style, they answer with clarity and depth:
“Our style is cinematic documentary with a fine-art sensibility. We seek authentic emotion, captured with elegance and intentionality.”
They balance the grandeur of landscapes with the intimacy of candid moments. Their imagery is timeless, modern, and deeply personal, always grounded in a sense of place.
Equipment plays a role—but only as an enabler of deeper connection.
We primarily use Nikon Z9’s for photography pairing them with a carefully curated collection of lenses. We also integrate drones, cinema cameras, and film when the story calls for it.
They emphasize that what matters most is how the gear allows them to connect and create.
In editing, they maintain a signature continuity:
“All images are edited in our signature 37 Frames style; romantic, timeless, with a nod to Kodak Portra film, creamy skin tones, and our classic black-and-whites.”
Every image is carefully curated, cropped, straightened, and refined so each client gallery is ready to share, print, and relive.
When asked what they love most about being photographers, they respond without hesitation:
“It’s the privilege of being invited into the most personal, fleeting, extraordinary chapters of someone’s life.”
They cherish that their work becomes part of a family’s history, creating images that will be held, framed, and remembered for generations.
Their process is never about dictating—it’s about co-creating.
We spend time listening, learning, and understanding each couple. We guide gently, offering our experience, but always tailoring the process to reflect who they are.
They view the couple as partners in the art, merging their visual voice with the story of each couple.
On custom offerings:
“Every couple is unique, and we love crafting collections that reflect their vision, their traditions, and the places important to them.”
If they could step back in time and speak to their early-career selves, the message would be clear:
“Believe in your vision, and understand that building a brand takes time. Don’t compare your path to others, your voice is your power. Value your worth, invest in education, and surround yourself with peers who push you forward. And most importantly, remember: you’re not just taking photos... you’re documenting personal histories.”
Their advice to couples preparing for a shoot or wedding:
“Be present. The most beautiful images come when couples let go of perfection and embrace the real.”
They encourage trust in the timeline, wearing what feels like oneself, and giving space for moments to unfold.
“The day is not about the camera... it’s about your connection.”
Yes—they absolutely do destination weddings.
“We’ve photographed in over 20 countries, from Oman to Italy, Vietnam to Australia.”
Still, their hearts circle back to Japan:
Japan will always be our most cherished canvas… the mountains, the shrines, the seasons, the quiet poetry of this country we call home.
In a world overflowing with images, 37 Frames stands apart because their work insists on meaning, culture, and emotion. From Tokyo’s delicate poetry to far-flung shores, Tracey and Dee continue to tell stories that transcend time—and invite us into the moments that make us human.
