Photographic Production Tokyo, Japan
Support and services across Japan
At Alphabet Productions, we produce photography for both domestic and international clients. We work with luxury brands, sports brands, tech brands, and health brands to create the perfect image. We have a great list of international and Japanese photographers based here in Japan, and we also work with overseas teams and photographers coming into Japan to produce their shoot with the highest international production standards.
We handle casting with the best model agencies here in Japan that feature both Japanese and international models. We work with a list of the best stylists, makeup artists, hair stylists, set designers, lighting directors, digital operators (working with Capture One) and retouchers here in Japan that have international experience in cities such as New York, London, and Paris. Most of our crew are fully bilingual. However, where necessary, we provide translation and look after all communication to ensure a perfect and smooth shoot. Based in Tokyo, we offer comprehensive photography production support and services across Japan, providing talented teams and seamless production management to ensure a creative and successful shoot.
FAQ
Do you support fashion or editorial shoots, including styling and casting?
Yes, we work with a list of the best hair stylists and makeup artists, stylists, and models in Japan, with most of them having extensive experience in international cities such as New York, Los Angeles, London, and Paris. We can provide full support including art direction, casting, wardrobe, and styling for international clients coming into Japan for their shoot.
Can you manage both photography and video production on the same shoot?
We’re highly experienced at delivering both photographic and video production for the same project, ensuring creative consistency and efficient coordination across both teams. We fully understand both worlds of photography and film and video production and can seamlessly produce both elements with full understanding of the creative needs involved.
Do you offer production support for still photography in Japan?
Yes, we offer full production support for photographic stills shoots in Tokyo and throughout Japan please see our production services and support page. We can offer many services, including, casting, crew including all creative crew, such as photographer, stylist, makeup artist, digital operators retouchers etc, location scouting, permits, transportation, accommodation, anything else you'll require.
Can you provide bilingual english speaking crew and producers for photography shoots?
Yes, our team includes bilingual producers and coordinators also many of the crew we will suggest have worked internationally and can speak English to some degree. However, our bilingual producers and production support staff can always step in to help with translation when needed for smooth communication throughout the shoot process.
What’s the typical crew size for a photography shoot in Tokyo?
Honestly, there is no typical crew size. Crews can be as small as two people up to fifty. It all depends on the scale and size of the production and what is required in order to do the best job possible within the budget. We tailor the crew size depending on your needs, but we often run lean and efficient teams to maximize flexibility and suit Japan’s often compact shooting environments.
Can you assist with location scouting and studio rental in Japan?
We have extensive experience producing jobs all across Japan. We already have a comprehensive library of scouted locations and are constantly adding and updating a list. Having said that, every shoot requires its own unique location, and for most jobs we'll send location scouts out to find the perfect location for you. We also have comprehensive lists of studio, house, and private locations throughout Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and across Japan. See our production services and support page
Are you able to provide behind-the-scenes or social media content from the shoot?
Yes, we can assign a dedicated BTS shooter or content creator to capture materials for press, socials, or internal use during the shoot.
Do you handle post-production for photography as well?
On set, we are usually working with Capture One, where our digital operator will capture and temporarily grade for the photographer, imagery exporting low-resolution images for the client's selection. We then work with some of the best retouchers, both in Japan and internationally, to produce beautifully finished photography under the direction of the photographer and client for uses across social media, digital, print, and OOH.
Can clients view and review the shoot remotely?
Yes, we can set up a live sharing feed via Capture One for clients and agencies to remotely view the photographs as they are shot. We can also set up a communication pathway through Zoom, Google Meet or Teams so that overseas clients an agency can deliver feedback in real-time, with optional live translation if needed.
How far in advance should we book for a photography shoot in Japan?
In Japan, there is a certain level of bureaucracy, which means that accessing and permitting locations and booking the best studios or houses need to be done with a good amount of lead time. If location is critical, then we would want to be booking in the location at least a month in advance and scouting before that.
We can, of course, produce shoots with far quicker lead times. As a production company, we move fast and are flexible, but if you want to access some of these locations, then we need to keep those lead times in mind.