Love in Bloom: A Sakura Story in  Japanese Garden of Toulouse

There’s something magical about cherry blossom season — a fleeting, tender beauty that reminds us how precious the moment is. Last weekend, I had the joy of photographing a beautiful couple in the Japanese Garden of Toulouse, a place that seemed to echo their own love story.

They first met in Japan, exactly four years ago, during sakura season — a time when cherry trees explode into delicate pink clouds. That spring marked the beginning of their journey together, though their very first photos as a couple were taken in masks, during the pandemic.

This year, they returned to the blossoms — this time, in France, and this time, unmasked, free, and full of love. It was my absolute honor to capture that journey. Their laughter, the way they held each other, and the joy in their eyes were a reminder that some love stories really do come full circle.