TOKYO NIGHTS PHOTO WORKSHOP
JUNE 7-11, 2025
A CREATIVE MENTORING EXPERIENCE
東京の夜
1 SPOT REMAINING
“In a city of mirrors, where neon flickers in the rain—
does the street reflect the light, or does the light reflect the street?”
5 NIGHTS IN TOKYO!
Join me for an immersive, creative mentorship set in the heart of Tokyo, where neon-lit streets and vibrant night scenes become the perfect canvas for creating compelling images. Over the course of five intensive nights, you’ll work alongside me as we explore the urban landscape, capturing its essence from bustling streets to the city’s best vantage points.
This isn’t your typical photography workshop—it’s a collaborative creative journey. We’ll scout, shoot, and develop a new body of work together. As we focus on capturing city lights and reflections, you’ll be part of the entire creative process. Together, we’ll navigate the challenges of shooting in a dynamic and unpredictable environment, ensuring that you, too, leave with a portfolio of images that you’re proud of.
WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE
Collaborative Mentorship: This experience is designed for photographers who want to dive deep into the creative process. We’ll work side by side, navigating neon-lit streets and capturing Tokyo from its bustling intersections to its sweeping high-rise views. You'll receive personalized guidance and feedback, with a focus on helping you refine your skills and elevate your work.
Tokyo at Night: As the world’s largest metropolis, Tokyo transforms into a glowing, reflective wonderland at night—especially during the rainy season. We’ll photograph vibrant streets, metro stations, trains, and hidden gems—all enhanced by the city’s glowing neon and rain-slicked reflections.
Real-Time Learning: Each day will involve a combination of in-the-field shooting and image developing in the digital darkroom. We’ll meet at my hotel for 1-3 pm editing sessions before heading out to shoot from 3 pm until midnight—or later if the scenes call for it. Expect to walk 12,000-15,000+ steps daily as we navigate the city’s many layers. You'll be part of the entire process, from scouting locations to developing final images.
PREPARING FOR THE JOURNEY
Before we begin, you’ll receive pre-expedition briefs packed with exclusive articles and guides on The Foundations of Photography, Editing, and Portfolio Development. These guides will help you prepare for the experience, including details on what to pack, where to stay, and how to navigate Tokyo’s metro with ease.
FOOD & CULTURE
Tokyo is a city of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet cutting-edge design. Along with photographing its urban wonders, we'll have the chance to experience the incredible food culture. As we shoot late into the night, we'll stop when needed to grab meals at some of Tokyo's many fantastic restaurants, from street food vendors to hidden local spots. We’ll let our exploration guide us, making spontaneous stops at hidden local gems and indulging in everything from late-night ramen to street food delicacies.
WHY TOKYO?
Tokyo has been known by many names, and while the ancient moniker "The City of 808 Villages" reflects its rich history, the modern metropolis is anything but small. It’s a place where tradition and technology collide, offering unparalleled opportunities to capture the interplay between old and new.
With a population of over 37 million, Tokyo is the world’s largest urban area and a photographer’s dream. The city’s unique blend of reflective streets, glowing neon, and dense urban textures creates a perfect backdrop for dramatic long-exposure images. Tokyo is also one of the safest cities in the world, allowing you to confidently explore and photograph with ease.
JOIN THE CREATIVE MENTORSHIP
I’m looking for two dedicated photographers ready to dive into a physically and creatively intensive experience. This mentorship is designed for those who can walk long distances, work late into the night, and embrace the unpredictability of shooting in real-world conditions. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer building a new portfolio or someone earlier in your journey, this mentorship will push your creative boundaries and help you capture the urban landscape like never before.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Scott Reither has earned a critical reputation for his long-exposure landscape scenes, earning him over 75 international photography awards. Scott is also a leading educator in the fine art photography field, having conducted over 300 workshops. The workshops draw upon his extensive technical knowledge, editing and developing experience, and insightful awareness about what it takes to achieve exceptional images and define a meaningful creative identity as a photographer.
TESTIMONIAL EXCERPTS
“ My workshop with Scott really opened up the world of fine art photography for me. I learned so much and continue to build upon what he taught me.”
“ I highly recommend Scott no matter where you are on your photographic path. I imagine everyone could benefit from his knowledge and especially his approach.”
“I honestly believe my photography skills grew 100x after my workshop with Scott. His passion, experience, and knowledge of photography are extremely valuable. The workshop is very well organized to produce the highest and best use of the time. He fits a lot in but makes sure to take the time where it’s needed most. His stories are lesson’s in themselves and his work speaks for itself. I highly recommend investing in a workshop as you won’t be disappointed. I walked away with some amazing images, but more importantly, the skills to replicate similar high-quality images moving forward through future travels. I’m very much looking forward to connecting again with Scott through future workshops and mentorship opportunities!”
“Scott is every bit as inspirational and engaging as his photographs. His passion and generosity left me feeling very privileged to have spent time shooting with him. Scott was exceptionally invested in making sure I got the most out of the session. Not only in understanding my skill level and what I wanted from the workshop, but in what I wanted out of my photography generally. He asked questions that I have to admit I had never asked myself and that helped me to realize why my photography up to now has generally been so ‘unfocused’... I left the workshop buzzing. Scott helped me refine my technical skills and taught me new techniques. But most significantly, he encouraged me to ‘feel’ as much as ‘think’ about my photographs which is something that has already had quite a profound affect on me. I came away with a greater confidence in my photography and some great images, but most importantly a renewed excitement, passion and focus for why I go out shooting in the first place.”
SCHEDULE
This mentorship is designed to fully immerse you in the vibrant and reflective nightscapes of Tokyo during the rainy season. Each day, we’ll balance afternoon editing sessions with late-night shooting, capturing the city under the glow of neon lights and moonlit skies.
June 7-11, 2025
1:00-3:00 PM: Daily editing and developing sessions at the hotel, where we’ll review the previous night’s work and prepare for the evening ahead.
3:00 PM-Midnight: Head out to explore and photograph Tokyo’s iconic streets and high-rise views, focusing on the reflective wet streets and vibrant night scenes the city offers. We’ll work in meals as needed at local spots during the evening.
The workshop begins at 1:00 PM on June 7th and concludes at midnight on June 11th.
This schedule provides flexibility to adapt to weather conditions and light, giving us the best opportunity to capture Tokyo’s unique atmosphere.
FITNESS LEVEL
Moderate to High.
This mentorship will involve extensive walking throughout Tokyo, with an average of 12,000-15,000+ steps per day. You should be comfortable carrying your camera gear and navigating both street-level locations and metro stations. Participants should expect long shooting days into the late evening, so a reasonable fitness level and stamina are required to make the most of the experience.
WEATHER & LIGHT
Temps: 70-75°F high | 60-65°F low
Sunrise/Sunset: 4:25 AM | 6:59 PM
In June, Tokyo experiences mild temperatures, but with the rainy season in full effect, the city transforms into a reflective wonderland. The frequent rain showers are typically light, creating ideal conditions for capturing vibrant reflections on the streets, which magnify the glow of the neon lights and add a dynamic layer to the cityscape.
Photographing Tokyo in the rainy season is an exciting opportunity—the slick, wet streets bring out colors and textures that are otherwise muted, turning everyday scenes into striking compositions. We’ll focus our photography from late afternoon into the night, when the neon cityscape truly comes to life, offering endless creative possibilities for long-exposure and night photography.
cost: $4400
A 50% deposit of $2200 is required to secure your spot, with the other half payable on or before April 25th, 2025.
To join, please fill out the questionnaire at the bottom of this page.
Secure your spot now!
WHAT’S INCLUDED
In-the-field mentorship across Tokyo’s iconic locations, focusing on late-night, reflective street photography and cityscapes, with a maximum group size of only 2 participants for personalized, hands-on instruction.
Exclusive access to daily digital darkroom sessions for image review, development, and portfolio building, ensuring you gain a deeper understanding of your creative process.
Pre-expedition preparation materials, including exclusive articles and guides on topics such as The Foundation, Editing, and Portfolio Building, to help you get the most out of the experience.
Recommendations for accommodations and detailed guidance on navigating Tokyo’s metro system to keep your travel and logistics simple.
Post-workshop support with additional guides and resources to aid your continued growth as a photographer.
WHAT’S not INCLUDED
Airfare or transportation to and from Tokyo (NRT).
Accommodations (though recommendations will be provided for your convenience).
Public transportation fees (you’ll receive instructions on how to easily add funds to a digital metro card).
Meals (each participant is responsible for their own meals, with plenty of options available for every budget).
Personal expenses, including activities or shopping not related to the mentorship.
Entry fees for high-rise observation decks or specific photography locations.
Travel insurance, which is recommended for medical emergencies or unexpected cancellations.
Camera gear insurance.
OTHER
The Tokyo Nights Experience requires 2 participants to operate. If fewer than 2 participants sign up, the workshop will be canceled, and all payments will be refunded in full. You will be notified by May 7th, 2025 or sooner, if the mentorship is confirmed to ensure ample time for planning.
If you plan to book your flight before this date, I recommend purchasing flight insurance to ensure you can receive a refund in the unlikely event that the mentorship is canceled.
While I do not provide travel insurance as part of the workshop fees, I highly recommend purchasing your own, primarily for medical emergencies or unexpected cancellations. I suggest World Nomads for comprehensive travel insurance. Additionally, I recommend ensuring your camera gear is fully covered. I use and recommend Rand Insurance through a membership with NANPA.
Accommodation Options: I will be staying at the Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo. While accommodations are not included in the workshop price, I recommend staying at or near this hotel for ease of coordination. If you prefer a more seamless, all-inclusive option that includes hotel arrangements, meals, and additional planning, please contact me directly to discuss customizing your experience.
By attending this workshop, you acknowledge that participation involves inherent risks associated with outdoor photography and travel. You agree that I am not responsible for any injuries, accidents, theft, or damages that may occur during the workshop.
Please read the TERMS & CONDITIONS regarding cancellations, refunds, and further liability information.
SECURE YOUR SPOT - LIMITED TO 2 GUESTS
To book your spot, please complete the questionnaire below and click "SUBMIT."
Once submitted, you can proceed to make your payment below.
Be sure to click SUBMIT after filling out the questionnaire.
To secure your spot in the mentorship, a 50% deposit of $2,200 is required, with the remaining balance due by April 25th, 2025. If you book after April 25th, the total amount is payable in full at the time of booking.
Once I receive your payment, your spot will be confirmed, and I’ll follow up with a welcome email to start the process. As the Tokyo Nights experience approaches, I’ll send you a detailed pre-trip brief, which will cover everything from recommended accommodations, how to navigate Tokyo’s metro system, and what to expect during our time together together.
During and after Tokyo Nights, you’ll receive additional resources, including in-depth articles and guides on editing, developing, and building a cohesive portfolio to support your ongoing growth as a photographer.
Thank you for your interest. I look forward to exploring Tokyo with you and helping you capture the dynamic beauty of the city in a completely new way.