Tokyo, Japan | June 3-11, 2025
Destination: Tokyo with Mark de Paola | June 3-11, 2025
Please Note: Students must first apply before being accepted to this workshop. Please see below for application requirements.
Join Mark de Paola in Tokyo, Japan June 3-11, 2025 for an unforgettable week immersed in Japanese photographic culture shooting fashion, portraiture, and fine art work. It is no secret as to why many call Tokyo the photographic capital of the world. With an incredible cultural reverence for the craft, a rich history in bookmaking, and countless artists throughout history, photography proves to be at the very heart of Tokyo. Having had several exhibitions and worked in Tokyo throughout his career, de Paola has wanted for years to share a behind the scenes exclusive experience of Tokyo, and 2025 is the year.
Immerse yourself in Japanese cuisine, culture, and craft through Mark’s lens. By application only, attendees will explore and capture fashion and portraiture in Tokyo’s various neighborhoods. Stay in Ginza, Tokyo’s most luxurious shopping and cuisine neighborhood, wander the streets of Omotesando shooting portraiture and rest between looks at the new Leica Flagship with a swanky vinyl listening bar, explore the photo book stores of Shinjuku, capture fashion looks in front of some of Tokyo’s most iconic facades in Shibuya, and finally rest at the end of each day with a handmade hot cup of matcha.
Tokyo 2025 with Mark de Paola and in partnership with Camera West & Leica Store San Francisco will excite your photographic portfolio with new imagery and narrative, awaken your understanding of Japan’s incredible photography culture, and push your artistic journey forward amongst a group of very special artists.
Details:
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
- Participants: 6 people
- Duration: 9 Days (CHECK IN June 3, CHECK OUT June 11)
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Activity Level: High
Topics
- Building and crafting a narrative in portraiture and fashion
- Japanese Bookmaking
- Japanese Photography Culture + Significant Artists in Japanese History
- Shibari as Cultural Art Form
- The elements necessary to produce fashion photography
- Mark’s creative process from concept to completion in photographic storytelling
- Impact of lens choice on the creative process
- Working with natural light on-location
- Techniques for working at minimum focusing distances
- Capturing motion in a still image
- Understanding the collaboration between photographer and subject
- Adapting a creative concept to your own visual style
Meet The Team
Mark de Paola is a New York City based fine art and fashion photographer with over 30 years of experience shooting campaign and fine art commissions for the likes of Vogue Spain, Vogue Mexico, Gucci, Oscar de la Renta, Prabal Gurung, David Koma, Roksanda, and Saint Laurent.
De Paola has directed several hundred television spots in the fashion/beauty sector including those for Giorgio RED Perfume (Bergdorf Goodman windows and MoMA NY), Ducati, Leica Camera, Sony, Neutrogena, and Ford Motorsports.
De Paola's fine art work is included in public collections such as the Museum of Modern Art, New York, The Getty in Los Angeles, the San Diego Center of Photographic Arts, and the TOP Museum in Tokyo. His photography monographs Recent Work I (2018), Recent Work II (2019), and Five Years and Sixty Seconds (2020) can be found with Leica Camera retailers in major cities worldwide. De Paola's solo exhibitions have traveled around the world including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dali (China), Tokyo, Milan (Triennale Museum), and at home in New York City.
De Paola's pictorialist work as a still and motion artist has been driven by his studies of the neurobiology and cognitive psychology of human vision.
Learn More About Mark de Paola
Producer: Sage Backstrom, dePAOLA Pictures
Producer & Camera Support: Carlo Velasquez, Camera West - Leica Store San Francisco
What's Included
- Individualized instruction and mentorship by Mark de Paola
- Shoot production
- Talent and shoot teams
- Shoot locations
- 8 Nights of five star accommodations in Ginza, Tokyo (click here to preview accomodations)
- 2 Meals/Day
- Transfers between masterclass activities
Please note that student flights to/from Tokyo, airport transfers, and 1 meal/day
are not included in tuition and must be arranged for individually by each student.
What To Expect
Late May and beginning of June is the perfect time to be in Tokyo with daytime temperatures in the low to mid 70s Fahrenheit.
Travel Documents Required - 1. Participants must have a valid passport for a minimum of 6 months from the date of departure to travel to Tokyo. 2. Participants will be required to show proof of travel insurance to dePAOLA Pictures prior to travel. 3. Participants will be required to sign the production contract prior to travel.
Food - All food allergies and restrictions must be communicated far in advance of travel. Please note that Tokyo is one of the most robust and incredible cities for food and attendees should expect to immerse themselves in the local cuisine at masterclass restaurants and for culinary experiences. Examples may be ramen, yakitori, sushi, soba, Kobe beef, etc. In addition, for attendee meals that are on your own, a list of some recommended restaurants will be provided prior to travel for your convenience.
Hotel - Our hotel partner is the iconic and historic Imperial Hotel, a luxurious five star accommodation partner with a rich history. The hotel is also situated in Ginza, in the heart of a plethora of luxury and vintage shopping, and some of the most famous culinary experiences in the world. In addition, the Leica Store Ginza is mere blocks away. Several dining options are also available on site for those who wish to stay in during meals on your own.
Walking - Expect to walk from 2-4 miles a day. Tokyo is a huge metropolis and we will be taking advantage of the city’s incredible locations as we capture iconic images together.
Camera Gear - Please only bring the camera gear that you can carry yourself. Please do not bring tripods, reflectors, or large lighting contraptions. This is not allowed for photographing on the streets of Tokyo and proves a liability.
Flight Arrival Recommendation - As you look into coordinating your own airfare for travel, keep in mind that the program will begin in the evening on May 22nd and conclude with a farewell dinner on May 30th and a group breakfast on May 30th. Attendees are not required to attend the group breakfast on May 30th depending on each individual’s best and most convenient preference for their departing flight.
Application Requirements
With only 7 seats available for this exclusive masterclass, students are required to submit an application in order to receive admission.
This application should include:
Goals for the Tokyo 2025 course
- Brief artist bio
- Link to a brief selection of fashion/beauty/portraiture/fine art work.
All applications must be submitted to info@depaolapictures.com by March 1, 2025 at the latest.
Admission is accepted on a rolling basis. Please apply early.
NOTE: You will not receive admission confirmation until your application has been received and accepted, and the tuition deposit has been received.
Tuition & Cancellation Policy
Student Tuition: $13,000.00
Tuition Schedule:
$5000.00 nonrefundable deposit due upon application acceptance and registration
$8000.00 balance due January 1, 2025
Spouse Rate
Spouse tuition: $5000.00
Please note that the spouse rate allows for double occupancy accommodations, 2 meals/day with the group, transfers between activities, and inclusion for group experiences (for example, a museum archive visit, lectures). The spouse rate does not include any shooting time or portfolio reviews. Spouses are welcome to be present on set during shoots.
Cancellation Policy
The refund amounts below do not apply to the $5000.00 nonrefundable deposit.
> 90 Days 100% of the $8000.00 tuition deposit returned 90-60 Days 60% of the $8000.00 tuition deposit returned 60-30 Days 20% of the $8000.00 tuition deposit returned < 30 Days Tuition is nonrefundable
