Creative Spotlight | Emi Komagata
Published on 05 November 2021
Tell us a bit about who you are and what kind of creative work you make
I am a freelance photographer and my passion for photography started in university after my father gave me a film camera. When I was in a photo club at university I spent most of my time in a darkroom developing films and printing photos.
After university, I started one of Japan’s first online photo blogs in 1998, and surprisingly I received great feedback from the public about my personal photos. I have held many photo exhibitions in Japan and have been featured in Japanese professional photography magazines and articles.
My professional works have broad coverage in advertising, product photography, major brand imagery, personal family photos, wedding photos and portrait photography. I enjoy photographing people the most and I have always found inspiration in meeting new people.
What’s your favourite part of working as an artist / creative?
With product photography, my favourite part of the job is putting all the parts of the client's ideas together.
Sometimes they only give me a few keywords and I use this and my imagination plus experience to create the right creative images.
I also feel happy after family photography sessions when I hear that not only the family but also the people around them are pleased about my photographs.
How does your personal history, culture or experience inform your creative work?
In Japan, we have festivals and celebrations all year round. We especially have the custom to celebrate the growth of children often at certain ages.
At those celebrations, people dress up in Kimono, dresses, or suits and go to shrines to pray for the healthy growth of children.
When I was in Japan many people came to me to capture their celebrations. It reminded me once again how important capturing memories is for us. Helping people remember their precious experiences by taking photographs is one of my special roles.
Do you have any rituals or routines that help you to be more creative?
Doing gardening helps keep my mind calm and creative. I love to observe the shape of leaves, different colours of lights, reflections on the water, and living creatures. After spending some time in the garden, I feel mentally satisfied and ready for the next creative work.
Do you have any top tips for emerging artists and creatives just starting out?
Please keep enjoying what you can't stop doing. When you find someone's artwork that you really like, think about why you felt that way. That might help you build your own artistic style.
Where can we find out more about your work and get in touch?
Website: lapindesign.net
Instagram: instagram.com/lapindesign_photography
and instagram.com/cameralife_com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lapindesign.photography
Email: info@lapindesign.net