Photography Meetups
Enjoying Photography Together in the Tokyo Area
Pilot Event on 2024-10-06 Sunday
Short notice, but let’s see what happens! This will be a freestyle sort of event, an initial outing to help develop the concept.
Meeting Location: Akabane Higashi Park
Time: 9:00 AM
Theme: Old and New
Seeking out older elements of the urban environment, focusing on and contrasting them with what’s new.
We will start at 9:00 and explore the area on the east side of the station until around noon. Be prepared for a fair amount of walking.
If you intend to come, please let me know using the contact form at the bottom of the page or just email me directly at meetups@aleatorist.com
Photography is a lot of fun, but it’s even better when we do it together. Back in the U.S., I often went on photo walks with other photographers, and it was always such a fun and rewarding experience. Now that I live in Japan, I really miss that sense of community and shared creativity. That’s why I’m excited to start something new here in Tokyo—an opportunity for all of us to explore, create, and connect through photography.
Principles:
For the Joy of Photography
This group is all about meeting new people, sharing the love of photography, and building a sense of community. Let’s explore and create together!
Everyone is Welcome, No Experience Needed
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or picking up a camera for the first time, you’re welcome here. The goal is to foster a community where we can create, share, and help each other learn and grow.
Variety Enriches Creativity
Each meetup will feature a new location and theme to keep things fresh and exciting. This variety also helps make our meetups more accessible, with events happening across Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama.
No Such Thing as Bad Weather
Unless there’s a major event like a typhoon, our meetups will go on—rain or shine. While there’s no pressure to join if you’d prefer to stay in, some of the most amazing photography happens in unexpected weather, so you are encouraged to embrace the elements and join in!
No Cost
Though we may occasionally do special outings to places like Shinjuku Gyoen where there’s an entrance fee, the group itself is intended to be free of charge to participate.
The Plan:
2-3 Meetups Per Month
We’ll be holding events 2-3 times a month, with the potential for more as the group grows and others take on leadership roles. To start, we’ll aim for half-day meetups on weekend mornings or afternoons, with the occasional evening session for night photography.
A Theme to Inspire Us
Each meetup will feature a theme—whether it’s a subject, challenge, or creative prompt—to guide and inspire our photography. While everyone is free to shoot whatever they like, it’s always exciting to see how different people interpret the same theme.
Sharing Our Work
After each event, participants are encouraged to share their favorite photos. It’s one thing to create together, but it’s even more rewarding when we celebrate and learn from each other’s work as a community.
Community-Driven Vision
What starts with one person’s vision will ultimately be shaped by all of us. From choosing meetup locations and themes to organizing special events, the direction of the group will be driven by the community’s input and enthusiasm.
Who's driving this thing?
Hi, I’m David. Originally from the USA, I’ve been living in Japan since 2015. I’ve been practicing photography since 1996 and spent several years working in the photo industry back in the U.S.
While I’ve mostly worked as an English teacher here in Japan, in 2024 I’m reconnecting with my creative roots—focusing on photography, nonfiction writing, and independent teaching.
I’ve been part of vibrant, inspiring creative communities in the past, and I miss that energy. It’s one of the main reasons I’m starting these meetups—to build that same sense of connection and creativity here in Japan.
Let's Get Started
As of early October 2024, this is mostly just an idea, but with your participation, we can get this thing off the ground. Drop your email in the form below to join the mailing list, or get in touch using the contact form at the bottom of the page.
Note: signing up to the mailing list will get you emails related to meetups, nothing else. No spam, no sales, not ever.
Upcoming developments:
- Probably a LINE group to help us coordinate
- Posts with galleries to share the group’s work
- Community suggestions and voting on locations and themes
Get In Touch
Send an email using the form below. If you encounter any errors, please email me directly at meetups@aleatorist.com