There is a certain allure to the art of portrait photography that has always captivated me. Perhaps it is the way that a single image can convey so much about a person's character, emotions, and experiences, all captured in a moment frozen in time. Or perhaps it is the way that a skilled photographer can use their craft to tell a story, to communicate something about their subject that cannot be expressed in words alone.

There is a certain intimacy to portrait photography that I find particularly compelling. When I am behind the camera, I am able to enter into a kind of dialogue with my subject, to create a space where they can reveal something of themselves to me. It is a collaboration, a dance between two people, and at that moment, we are both vulnerable, both open to the possibility of connection.

I believe that portrait photography is at its best when it is able to capture something essential about the subject, to reveal something that might otherwise remain hidden. This requires not just technical skill, but a deep empathy for the subject, an ability to see beyond the surface and into the heart of who they are.

Ultimately, what I love about portrait photography is its ability to capture the essence of a person, to reveal something that might otherwise go unnoticed. It is a form of art that requires both technical skill and emotional intelligence, and when done well, portraiture can be a powerful tool for empathy and connection. In a world where we are increasingly separate from each other, where it is easy to get lost in the noise of social media and the constant barrage of information, portrait photography offers a way to slow down and connect, to see the humanity in each other and to celebrate our differences.

I believe that portrait photography offers us a way to see ourselves and each other more clearly, explore the depths of our humanity, and celebrate the beauty of our diversity. It is a powerful and transformative art form, one that has the potential to change the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

As a photographer in Tokyo, I am always grateful when I am hired to use the visual language of light and shadow, color and texture, to tell a person or brand’s story. I was recently commissioned by Eph, a hotel chain based in Japan, to highlight some aspects of their brand through portraiture.

Scroll further to see some of the images that Gawa, an Eph employee, and I created for Eph Hotels Japan.

More Portrait Photography