Today we’d like to introduce you to Micafoto.
Hi Micafoto, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Japan. I was working at a talent agency and became a manager of TV personalities. I was promoting my clients to TV shows, radio shows, commercials, and magazines to make sure they booked a lot of jobs and became famous. I was working very hard. In fact, I had only one day off for an entire year. Even though I worked hard, it was tough to talk with producers and directors about business because I was young and female.
Then I start thinking – where is the best place to be if you want to work in the entertainment businesses? It would be Hollywood! I saved money and came to Los Angeles to study English and the entertainment business. It was harder than I expected because of the language barrier, and I knew no one else who worked in the industry. One day, my classmates asked me, “Why are you trying to help other people? I think you should think more about yourself. You’ve got to do something to make your talent shine.” I was shocked. Because I’ve never thought that way. I always thought I was not good enough to dream big. I questioned myself…what kind of talent do I have? “Photography!” I was always interested in taking pictures and often got compliments on my pictures. From that day, I start to study photography. It was so much fun.
After I had taken a couple of photography classes, one of the restaurant owners asked me if I could bring my prints and show them at the restaurant. He bought my prints and hung them on the wall. One day, a photographer and a designer visited the restaurant, and they asked who took the photos. When I told them that I took them, they told me that I’m very talented. Then, they introduced me to another photographer. I started assisting him. Afterward, people who heard about my work started reaching out, and I had the opportunity to be involved in various photography projects, including magazine shoots and other assignments.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Every time I take a photo, I always have new discoveries, and it’s profound. Even though more than 20 years have passed since I started photography seriously, I still feel like I’m learning every day. But since it’s something I love; I’ve never considered it a hardship.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
People often like to categorize, but I prefer not to be bound by such constraints and capture a variety of photographs. For instance, I shoot photos for magazines like Elle Japan and Vogue Japan, covering fashion, weddings, events, family portraits, headshots, red carpets, food, landscapes—you name it. Occasionally, I also delve into music videos and small commercial videos. I particularly enjoy capturing portraits that reveal the inner essence of a person through soft and meaningful moments. While a photograph freezes a fleeting moment, it has the power to make that moment last forever. I’ve felt on several occasions that there’s a divine presence in those moments, and in those times, tears just flow naturally. I think I continue to take photos because I want to encounter those kinds of moments again and again.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Loving what you are doing and believing in yourself. Happiness is the key.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.micafoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micafoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/micafotopage
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/micafoto
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@micafoto
- Other: https://micafoto.tumblr.com/
Image Credits
MICAFOTO
