Solo Kimono Photoshoot in Kyoto — Editorial Portraits | AILÉA

A kimono, and no one else in the frame.

Wear a kimono in Kyoto.
We take care of the picture.

A solo kimono photoshoot, with the dressing, hair and make-up all done for you. Most of our solo guests choose a kimono — komon or furisode, or a bridal uchikake — though dresses and concept styles are here too. Come by yourself, or bring a friend. You don't need to know how to pose: we build the frame and talk you through it. The make-up is natural and contemporary, and the finished photographs are fully retouched — closer to an editorial portrait than a snapshot.

AILÉA Solo Portrait — Kyoto
01 The Idea

Wanting to wear one
is reason enough.

Wearing a kimono properly takes a trained kitsuke stylist and the better part of an hour, which is why it is something people do in Japan rather than arrange for themselves. Here it is included, along with hair and make-up, and you are photographed indoors in a built set — no crowds, no weather, no one waiting behind you.

It does not have to be an occasion. A birthday, a turning point, a trip to Kyoto, or simply wanting to see yourself in one. Plenty of our guests come for the pleasure of it, and plenty come with a friend. A dress or a concept style works the same way, if that suits you better.

If you are travelling, it takes about 3h. The studio is a few minutes from Heian Shrine, everything is provided, and the photographs are sent to you afterwards — so it travels home with you rather than in your luggage.

Solo portrait in Kyoto — AILÉA
02 Two Plans

Choose a plan

Costume, hair, make-up, the studio shoot and your retouched images are all in the price, with nothing to add on the day. What changes between the plans is the formality of the garment — and, with it, the time it takes.

Standard Everyday ¥27,500 tax included A lighter kimono, or a dress. Premium Bridal ¥39,600 tax included A bridal kimono, or a premium dress.
Outfit komon, furisode or dress — any one hikifurisode, uchikake or premium dress — any one
Hair & make-up included included
Kimono dressing included included
Studio set 1 1
Shots taken about 30 about 30
Retouched images (JPEG) 4 high-res 4 high-res
All shots (JPEG) paid option paid option
Time needed about 3h about 3.5h

* Prices are per person. If you come with friends, the total is per person.
* A hikifurisode or uchikake takes longer to put on, so the shoot runs longer.
* Shots taken is how many times we photograph you; the retouched images you receive are a selection from them.
* The all-shots JPEGs are colour-adjusted only; retouching is done on the images included in your plan.
* Prices are shown tax included.

Coming with friends is welcome — choose how many of you (up to 3) when you book. Each of you is photographed in turn and receives your own images. For a party of 4 or more, write it in the message box on the booking form.

03 Choose Your Style

Choose a style

Kimono is what most solo guests choose, and it is what our sets are built for. Dresses and concept styles are available on the same plans. Kimono and dress styles are photographed on one of our built sets or against plain white or black; concept styles come with a world of their own.

Kimono solo portrait in Kyoto — AILÉA Kimono Portrait Kimono In the quiet of a Japanese set. Standard: komon / furisode ・ Premium: hikifurisode / uchikake Dress solo portrait in Kyoto — AILÉA Dress Portrait Dress Pale tones and soft light. Standard: dress ・ Premium: premium dress Concept solo portrait in Kyoto — AILÉA Concept Portrait Concept Like a scene from a film. Standard only
04 Choose Your Set

Choose a studio set

For kimono and dress styles, the last choice is where you are photographed: one of our built sets, or a plain white or black backdrop. You choose it on the page after booking.

Shōin Reverie An elegant Japanese study with gold screens, cranes and a round window.
Red Silk Crimson shoji and a round window, nothing more — abstract and dramatic.
Velvet Cocoa A classical Western drawing room, full of antiques.
Sugar Mist A shabby-chic space wrapped in soft pastels and flowers.
Secret Verdure A dreamlike garden of green walls, white pillars and still water.
Neon Ruins Neon and decadence, like a back alley of old Kowloon.
White A plain white backdrop that leaves nothing but space.
Black A plain black backdrop that sharpens every outline.
05 Paid Options

Paid options

Everything in this section is charged in addition to the plan price. Your plan already covers the costume, hair and make-up, the studio shoot and your retouched images. These are for when you want to change the finish, receive more of the photographs, or keep them as something you can hold. Some of it has to be arranged in advance, so please tell us when you book.

Paid Beauty Options

Hair and make-up for women are included in both plans, finished to look current rather than traditionally bridal. Korean make-up can be added on top of that: our team includes a stylist trained at a Korean make-up school and certified as a make-up director, and the technique is shared across the team, so it is available whoever is looking after you on the day.

Korean Make-upKorean Make-up¥5,500Dewy skin and a flush of colour — the way it looks in a Seoul studio.Read more
Face & Body DecorationFace & Body Decoration¥3,850Pearls and stones scattered over the eyes and shoulders, catching the light.
Body Make-upBody Make-up¥3,300Neck, décolletage and arms matched to the face — for dresses that show skin.

* Anything involving hair or make-up has to be booked in advance, so that we can set aside the time to prepare.

Paid Photo Data
  • Extra Retouched Images (JPEG) 1 photo ¥1,6504 photos ¥5,500 For the shots that did not fit into the number included in your plan.
  • All Shots (JPEG) ¥11,000 Every shot we take, handed over on the day (colour-adjusted only).
  • RAW Files 1 file ¥3,300all files ¥22,000 The original files, before colour correction or retouching.

* Photo items are posted separately and carry a delivery charge.

06 Cancellation

Cancellation

Staff are scheduled and garments are reserved for you, so cancellations after booking carry the following charges. We appreciate your understanding.

* If you need to move the date, tell us as early as you can and we will do our best to accommodate it.

Couple Portrait

The two of you can choose from the same wardrobe.
Garments and studio sets work exactly as they do here.

See the couple plans

A kimono, Kyoto,
and a picture made properly.

From ¥27,500 tax incl. / about 3h / costume, hair, make-up and retouched images included