Isaak Berliner | Photo + Video

I love an overhead view. So many people were visiting Tokyo in February. 1. Asakusa Sensō-ji Temple, inside the main courtyard. 2. Shibuya Scramble Crossing, view from Starbucks. 3. Asakusa Sensō-ji Temple, facing toward Main Hall 4. Torii gate, just outside the Meiji Jingu shrine.

Towers. I took two semesters of Japanese in college 15 years ago. I was shocked at how much I remembered. Granted, my vocabulary was equivalent to that of a polite 3 year-old. Thank goodness everyone we met was comfortable with English or Google Translate. Shot with @fujifilmx_us XT-50

I love a Tokyo alleyway. Sometimes the best views came from weaving through little streets. And great restaurants!

Opening Night with the other star of #DragonMama, Tita Maria Elena. Thanks @birds_eye_photo ! — One of my favorite souvenirs from our trip to Manila was this beautiful barong - Filipino formal wear - a gift from my own aunt. Historically made of banana fibers, this one is made with cocoon silk. Very delicate. Very airy. Very fitting for a 90 degree evening. I was pleased so many last night recognized what it was or even had their own on. Sara’s mom loved my barong. I responded “Thank you, po” - my own mother raised me to be polite! She looked surprised, spoke some quiet Tagalog (I hope it was positive!) then insisted I take a photo with her. I had the chance to tell her that Sara’s story (and her’s) means so much to me as someone who didn’t see many Filipino Americans on stage or on screen. In not so many words, I shared with her that we’re all so grateful to see her shine. And how the community is embracing her. Sara Porkalob and The Dragon Cycle makes me believe in theater again. I - maybe all of us, if I could be so bold - have been waiting for something like this. Please don’t wait to see this. Show runs until April 12.

🗻Three Views of Fuji 1. We arrived in Kawaguchiko after a couple hours’ train ride from Tokyo. The town is a veritable hotspot of tourists, determined for their Instagram-viral view of Fuji. We bypassed the throng and hopped in a taxi to our final destination - a charming inn, traditional in design, which sat along the shore of Lake Shōji. An elderly couple owned and ran the inn themselves. @alliedearie booked us a night with the aid of translation apps, a positive example of rapidly advancing technology. Its main draw was a private onsen to enjoy a peaceful view of the mountain, the one you see above, which greeted us as we opened the doors to our hotel room. 2. Giddy with the view, we took a stroll along the rock-lined beach, ready for a closer look. Other visitors to the beach included other couples, making cross country road trips in camper vans, day tripper retired couples taking a rest stop, a wedding couple and photographer taking their pre-wedding portraits, and a traveling DJ recording a set. I’d like to believe everyone had the same feeling - they were grateful for the momentary quiet and wanted to enjoy the sacredness of the location. A row of fisherman’s boats were beached along the shore. I thought the yellow and blue would make for nice contrast. 3. Sunrise arrived over Lake Shōji and with it was a small gaggle of photographers, camped on the shoreline with their cameras on tripods. I took a stroll out to join them and find my own photo spot. They seemed like old masters to me, quietly pacing as their time-lapses worked away. Some had cameras clipped to their belts. Others brought portable generators to keep their iPhones charged and running next to them. They gave me small glances as if to say “Who’s this newcomer? He better not be one of those American influencers.” I gave short nods, whispering “Good Morning” in Japanese, making clear I was not here to disturb their silent work. I imagined many of them took pilgrimages here to capture Fuji’s splendor and I was honored to be among them. I hope one day I can make similar journeys to other marvelous sights.

Happy Lunar New Year from Manila. 🇵🇭 @alliedearie and I arrived at 6:50 AM and were greeted with a Lion & Dragon Dance just outside our hotel! Photo 3 is a second surprise: the trim of the buildings outside light up! This trip has been a perfect opportunity to use my new @fujifilmx_us X-T50, a surprise Christmas gift courtesy of @adorama (Thank you again!). The light profile and film look presets have been perfect for recapturing the travel photography style I’ve been missing with my DSLRs.

My @tryguys debut!? 😄 I took these photos of @muchosgarcias when he was in rehearsals for The Deep End by @samahmeghjee at @geffenplayhouse as part our Writer’s Room program. Who knew he was training to be a ‘Master Blader’ in his off hours! Check out Week to Pro: Ping Pong, now on YouTube and see if Ryan can defeat his fiercest opponent: 7 year olds.

bye 2025. you were a real slice

Opening Night at work also happened to be an @oneill_center reunion??? Elated to reunite with @mrbrianquijada (star of @mexodusmusical ), plus @moone_shine & Tiffani Gavin (not pictured 😞), and get my traditional photos with my faves @dionnkatrina & @gutzgirl 📸: @birds_eye_photo / @jordanstraussphoto

Welcome… to Jurassic Bark 🦕🐶 Every year we have so much fun with our Halloween costumes, and I think this might be the best one yet! Honey is the cleverest girl there ever was 😄 (huge shoutout to @ugcbyvalerie for helping us film this!) #jurassicpark #jurassicbark #halloween2025 #halloween2025🎃👻🕷️ #happyhalloween🎃

If I had a nickel for every time I’ve posed with an authentic Back to the Future Delorean this year, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird it’s happened twice. Grateful to be working and celebrating with a hundred other 80’s movie nerds last night. #BackstageToTheFuture “Your future is whatever you make it.” 📸: @jordanstraussphoto

Rehearsals continue this week at @thewallisbh . 8 days remain until performances begin! Will we see you there? 📸: @isaakberliner