Interview: Photographer Kazu Kihara (Japan)

Can you tell us a little about you?

My name is Kazu Kihara. I am an amateur photographer from Kumamoto-city in Japan. I mainly shoot portrait and models.

How and when did you get into photography?

I started photography seven years ago to document the beautiful landscape of Japan.

A year later, I was fascinated by Helmut Newton's beautiful portrait photography and began portrait and model photography.

What does photography mean to you?

For me, photography is the source of my passion, my life, and my self-expression.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I shoot with light and shadow consciously both outdoors and indoors. Outdoors, I do dramatic shootings using the backlight at sunset, but I like shooting under the soft light of a cloudy sky. Indoors, I shoot with soft light that shines through a north-facing window. In addition, I am conscious of the beauty of the subject model and expressions that feel a little eroticism.

Do you think in advance what you want in the picture?

Yes. First, consider the shooting scene and location. Next, preview the shooting location in advance and expand the shooting scene and image. After that, along with the model, we will share the shooting costume, the shooting scene and the image, and make the shooting plan concrete.

Where do you get inspiration from?

I get my inspiration from mythology, art,old Japanese stories and novels, and much more. In that, the inspiration is expanded by the atmosphere and location of the model.

Studio, on location or both?

Both.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I mainly shoot as a hobby. From time to time, I sometimes shoot for a fee.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

There are many memorable shoots. Among them, shooting in a dim ruin three years ago was impressive. It took a lot of time to set up the light with the strobe and set up small items for each shooting scene, but thanks to the beautiful expression of the model and the wonderful expression of eroticism, I was able to take pictures as expected.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

I use a Sony camera (α99Ⅱ, α7RⅡ). My favorite lens is “Planar T 85mm F1.4 ZA”.

When shooting with the background in mind, I often use “FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM”.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

I think it's about keeping my passion for photography and establishing my style.

What do you think of our new magazine?

I think it's an amazing magazine. I’m happy to be featured in here.

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