We recently had the chance to connect with Kaori Suzuki and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kaori, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I love working in my garden and taking care of a wide variety of plants.
My favorite and most peaceful time is watching how the flowers in full bloom and the honey bees in action.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a photographer based in Los Angeles.
I originally moved to LA from Japan 20 years ago.
I have photographed many portraits of Hollywood celebrities for film and music entertainment promotions, and I also shoot photos for private customers, such as headshots, family portraits, and weddings.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My husband Gene is a fellow creative in filmmaking and videography, and he has supported me in many ways in my work as a photographer.
There are key cultural differences between working in the Japan and U.S., and he helped me navigate my course.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would say be persistent and never stop from making any effort, no matter how small or large. Work consistently, step by step.
Any mountain must be climbed by walking at a steady pace, and there is no way around taking every step, every day.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
Sometimes, letting go of one path in favor of another, may seem like defeat, but is actually a very important aspect of growth.
A mistake, a failure, or letdown is an excellent signpost to do something different.
Letting go of something out of your control and only focussing on what you can is also part of this process.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I received very little input at a young age about photography as a career choice, but I chose it anyway, simply because it gave me so much joy. Like gardening, I love watching and enjoying and capturing the beauty of things and photography is a natural way for me to focus and create. Making beautiful photos of subjects give me so much joy. In this way, I feel very much blessed to have made a career out of something I feel I was born to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://suzukikphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzuki_k_photography/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaori-suzuki-a7195018/
- Twitter: https://x.com/SuzukiKPhoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzukiKphotography
Image Credits
©KaoriSuzuki
