Couple Session with Subil & Kocu

What started as a friendship turned into a creative collaboration when John had a chance to do a Couple Session for Subil and Kocu. John first met Kocu through the local music scene, and later got to know Subil after the two started dating. When they began planning a prewedding shoot, they immediately thought of John. Subil, who works in an agency at the time, came prepared with a mood board, and luckily, her vintage taste aligned perfectly with John’s.

It didn’t take long for John to map out a route through Jakarta: from Atrium Senen and Asemka to Stasiun Kota, Tanjung Priok, Thamrin, and even a dangdut café in Cikini, each spot chosen for its blend of old-school charm and timeless city vibes. John also took the time to survey the locations in advance, making sure to catch the right lighting and figure out how best to make use of each public space. And as always, he brought along one of his vintage chairs. He finds it comforting as well as aesthetically pleasing!

Camera: Sony A7
Lens: Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM (1960s) — one of John’s favorites.
This vintage lens from the ‘60s offers a classic look with a character often compared to Leica glass.