Petite Nao Photography is no longer accepting photography sessions in Houston.

Thank you so much to all of the wonderful families and clients
who have trusted me to capture their memories over the years.

I am currently photographing in Paris, with photography sessions in Japan coming soon.

Thank you for your continued support.

Your family & couple storyteller and photographer in love with authenticity.

I'm Nao

am Nao, a Japanese photographer based in Houston, Texas. With a life that’s been beautifully diverse—43% in Japan (where I was born and raised), 41% in France, 14% here in Houston, and a brief 2% in China—I bring a rich, global perspective to my photography. Perfectly bilingual in Japanese and French, fluent in English, and casually conversant in Chinese, I have developed a deep appreciation for capturing life's authentic moments across different cultures and experiences.

Photography has always been my true passion. Sure, I have stacks of sewing and crafting projects waiting, but my camera always comes first. I’m drawn to capturing real, unfiltered moments—the ones that just happen, whether it’s during a portrait session or in the middle of everyday chaos.

From the start, I’ve been captivated by documentary-style photography. Back in my student days, I’d bring my Canon Ixy to parties to document all the fun, the mess, and everything in between. As a mom, my camera has been my constant companion, capturing my kids’ daily antics—the messes, the sneak tastes, and the hilarity. Those “ordinary” moments, the ones you might easily overlook, often turn out to be the most memorable.

I’m also a dedicated foodie, always eager to try new flavors—even if that leads to the occasional culinary disaster! And I’m an animal lover to the core. Our bunny, Bino, thinks he’s human and is very much the fifth member of our family. To me, animals are family, and I’d love to include them in your photos.

Home life is far from perfect. My husband has a knack for keeping things tidy, while I’m definitely not the one making Pinterest-worthy lunch boxes. And, like any parent, I’m navigating the ups and downs of raising teenagers with patience and a bit of trial and error.

Now that you know a bit more about me, if you’re ready to have me capture the story of your family in all its beautiful, imperfect reality, just reach out. I’d love to connect!

Urban observer

On the table

Human form

A snapshot into my life

1 / 3

Right after the first COVID lockdown in France, we went out with the simple intention of buying pots and planters to keep ourselves busy at home. But, long story short, we ended up coming back with a baby bunny! Now, he’s like our third child. He’s the one who always comes around, asking for attention just when we’re the busiest, making it impossible to get anything done. He’s constantly under my desk while I’m working from home, always close by. We even make special trips to the grocery store just to get him fresh veggies. He’s the idol, the prince, and hands down the most spoiled member of the family!

Our little bunny

My Favorite Things

2 / 3

I love cooking, mainly because I love eating! At home, we each have our roles in the kitchen. I’m usually the one preparing meals, especially Japanese dishes, while my husband is in charge of crepes and French food—crepes are absolutely his specialty. In fact, my kids have made it clear that crepes are strictly “Dad’s thing,” and I’m not allowed to touch them!

When we travel, there are a few must-haves we always bring: our favorite knife, teapot, and tea leaves, so we can still cook and enjoy a good cup of tea wherever we are. Next time, I’m thinking of adding a cutting board to the mix.

I love trying out new flavors, even though my husband and kids like to stick to what they know. Sometimes the experiments work, sometimes not so much, but it's always fun to explore new tastes, even when it doesn’t quite go as planned!

cooking & EATING

My Favorite Things

3 / 3

My mom used to sew a lot, and when I was a kid, a part of my wardrobe was made up of handmade clothes. It was so normal for me to have a complete set of sewing tools at home that I naturally did the same when I grew up. I even have leather craft tools and tons of sewing and crafting books! I love collecting vintage Japanese kimono fabrics and beautiful Japanese papers.

The only problem is, I don't make enough time to actually use all these tools, books, and fabrics. It’s not like I don’t have projects in mind—far from it! But photography is my number one passion, and it’s hard to find time for everything else.

SEWING & CRAFTING

My Favorite Things

HOUSTON, TX

Through multiple photo-shoots in different set ups, from the home documentary style to an outdoor bluebonnet session, to a studio-style session, Nao was able to capture the magic of each moment in the different atmosphere.

Looking back at the pictures, for some taken years ago, is a real time travel that recreates the feelings of that perfect so un-perfect moment in our messy life. A good reminder to enjoy the present that Nao perfectly bottled up in a time capsule for the future.

I highly recommend Nao, she was able to make herself part of our environment, disappearing to be able to capture genuine moments of everyday life. She was also able to kindly guide us during the outdoor sessions, to make the experience natural, and recreate that “at-home” feeling.
Her artistic eye and the quality of the work gave us timeless pieces to proudly share with family and expose at home for years to come. We loved it!

GERALDINE

Kind words

I highly recommend Nao for her documentary photography. Besides being incredibly friendly and approachable, she truly knows how to adapt to the needs of families, capturing key moments in family life. The expressions, gestures, and poses are beautifully enhanced. Moreover, her professionalism allows her to be present without being intrusive, making both children and adults feel at ease. The memories she captures for us are priceless. She has an eye for detail; nothing is left to chance, and the results are always guaranteed.

I strongly encourage you to work with Nao, as she will provide you with photos that not only reflect who you are but also elevate the moments you cherish. I've enlarged and framed several of her photos, which are always admired by our family and friends. Not to mention the personalized calendars that were such a hit with the grandparents!

Houston, tx

MYRIAM

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We experienced 3 family photo sessions with Nao in France : Christmas , Windows and Lockdown. The different sessions took place at home in real life.

Christmas session was the first time with Nao, it was an amazing experience. My 3 children were so excited to open boxes with decorations and to put them on the Christmas tree. Nao took photos every moment and we saw the different emotions. Nao never stopped taking photos so we got many photos and I realized a beautiful Christmas book and greeting cards.

Nao is very patient with children , it’s just like she is invisible but she always knows how to take the best picture, to capture the best emotion, to catch the best expression.
Nao is very respectful of your private life and your image rights. She is very professional.
Her work is very serious and she sends you the pictures quickly.
Good job Nao ! 🤩 📸 😍

ABBEVILLE, FRANCE

PAScaline

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Nao's family photo session was truly magical.

She has a remarkable ability to capture the pure, candid expressions of children, preserving those fleeting, beautiful moments of joy and connection. Her photography turns simple family interactions into timeless memories.

If you’re looking for a photographer who can freeze those precious moments in a genuine, heartfelt way, Nao is the perfect choice.

ABBEVILLE, FRANCE

julie

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Nao captured our hectic life in such a beautifully relaxed way.

My three children interacting just as they always do, my little boy beaming happily on my back etc.

I’m truly grateful to have my family documented through Nao's perspective. Life may be busy, but these precious images give me the energy I need to keep going.

yoichi, japan

yuka

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Notified at the last minute for a maternity photo session, Nao was incredibly responsive and attentive. She made us feel at ease right away, offering clear and simple instructions, always with a smile! We had such a great time, and the photos turned out absolutely stunning!

After the amazing experience with our maternity photos, we reached out to Nao again to capture our daughter's first birthday. Once again, we are thrilled with the family photos she took. Beautiful, heartfelt moments of life were captured with such talent, leaving us with precious memories to cherish forever!

le crotoy & lille, france

MARIE

Kind words

You Deserve the best

If you’re curious about my photography, feel free to take a look! If you have any questions about the different types of sessions I offer, don’t hesitate to reach out through the contact form. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!

You Deserve the best