I photographed a Shichi-Go-San celebration at Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya in Suwa, Nagano. The session centered on a seven-year-old girl, joined by her older sister, her one-year-old sibling, and the rest of the family.
The family's pace comes first
We began with the family walking and talking together. The youngest child watched everything with curiosity, and those small exchanges helped the session feel natural instead of staged. I kept enough space for the children to settle in while quietly following the moments that were already happening.
A celebration across the shrine grounds
We made portraits near the front hall, drew omikuji fortunes, and stopped by the purification fountain. A colorful Kanazawa-style wagasa umbrella added a festive accent without taking attention away from the family. During the prayer ceremony, I photographed only from the permitted distance and did not enter the main hall.
A gentle record of an important day
Shichi-Go-San is not only about formal portraits. The glances between siblings, a parent adjusting a kimono, and the family moving from one place to another are part of the memory too. I want the finished photographs to bring back the whole atmosphere of the day.
Planning a shrine session
Photography rules, required applications, and photographer fees vary by shrine and may change. Please confirm the current policy with the shrine before booking; I can also discuss a comfortable schedule and shooting approach with you in advance.
Scenes from the day
