Malaysian-based wedding photographer Ame of Ameirfikri had just finished a local wedding workshop taught by 2017 30 Rising Star Qay Majid when he set off to Tokyo to capture this couple’s engagement session.

Empowered by the new skills he learned at the workshop, Ame wanted to test his creativity and technical prowess. With an eye on global trends, he draws inspiration from renowned destination shooters and former Rising Stars like Dan O’Day, based in Australia; Gabe McClintock, based in Canada; and Fer Juaristi, based in Mexico. “What draws me to these photographers’ work is that they shoot all over the world and they excel at emphasizing light and shadow with great composition,” he explains.

For this particular shoot, Ame found a spot in front of a market where the light hit the subjects in just the right way. “It was difficult to capture,” he explains. “But I was so lucky to find the right composition and to produce this beautiful image.” It’s one of several unique travel portraits he took that day (the full portfolio is on his site), and he hopes that in the future he’ll have an opportunity to take more. “I aspire to be an international wedding photographer myself one day,” he says.

(Captured using a Nikon D750 with a NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens.)

Photo © Ameirfikri

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