The Photo I Almost Didn’t Take
Some of the best travel photographs happen because you’re patient. Some happen because you’re lucky. And some happen despite everything around you. This image was taken in Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district after a 5:00 a.m. start. My goal was simple: photograph the quiet streets as the city slowly woke before sunrise. When I arrived, I wasn’t alone. About five other photographers had the same idea, some quietly setting up tripods, some like me (choosing to handhold) and waiting for that perfect moment when the soft morning light would wash
over Yasaka Pagoda.
There was a shared understanding among us. We were all there for the same
reason—to capture the peaceful beauty of one of Japan’s most photographed streets before the crowds arrived.
Then everything changed. A man appeared with six photography students. Moments later, a woman dressed
as a geisha (or more accurately, likely a maiko or someone wearing traditional attire for a photo session) walked into the scene. The instructor began directing her into the middle of the street, encouraging everyone to photograph her. It wasn’t really a suggestion—it felt more like he expected everyone else to include her in their compositions.
Suddenly, the quiet atmosphere we’d all come to experience felt more like a staged photo workshop. I’ll admit, I wasn’t thrilled. I had come to photograph Kyoto—not a planned photo shoot. But photography has a funny way of teaching flexibility. Rather than packing up or getting frustrated, I waited. I watched how she moved through the street, how the bright red umbrella contrasted beautifully against the muted wooden buildings, and how the pagoda stood watch in the background. Eventually, I realized the scene wasn’t the one I’d planned, but it still told a story. Travel photography isn’t always about getting the shot you imagined. Sometimes it’s about embracing the moment you’re given. Looking back at this image now, I don’t remember the annoyance nearly as much as I remember the calm morning air, the anticipation of sunrise, and the unexpected lesson that every photographer learns sooner or later: you can’t control the scene, only how you respond to it. The photograph became less about a famous Kyoto street and more about the balance between authenticity and the growing influence of social media and staged travel experiences. It’s a reminder that while destinations evolve and trends come and go, patience and adaptability remain two of a photographer’s greatest tools.
And yes… I was able still to frame one with nobody in the street.
Behind the Lens:
- Location: Higashiyama District, Kyoto, Japan
- Time: Around 5:00 a.m., just before sunrise
- What I expected: A quiet, empty street leading to Yasaka Pagoda.
- What I got: An unexpected photography workshop, a woman with a striking red umbrella, and a reminder that some of the best travel stories come from the moments you never planned.
Sometimes the best photograph isn’t the perfect one—it’s the one with the story behind it.
