Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on March 2011
Where are you from and when/why did you originally come to Japan?
I am from Boston. I first came to Japan in 2001 with for a large US IT company, which I still work for today. Currently, I am director of business operations for Asia Pacific and Japan. I am also an avid photographer and have recently been expanding my hobby through a daily photography blog called Shoot Tokyo.
Tell us about the blog…
Shoot Tokyo is a friendly daily blog where I talk about photography and life in Tokyo, and share my photos from Tokyo and my travels around Asia. I started it just over four months ago but have been pleasantly surprised with the rapid uptake. It has already developed a steady set of readers. One of the best things about doing the blog is it has really improved my photography in a very short period of time. When you are posting daily, you make your way through mistakes and learn new techniques much faster than you typically would. It forces you to view the world differently and see things as photographic opportunities. Things that I would have walked by in the past now catch my eye—and often a snap from my camera.
From a photographer’s perspective, what is the most attractive thing about Tokyo?
There is always something to shoot. When I started up the blog, I was in a bit of a photography rut. I was always thinking big, like heading out to Mt. Fuji to capture that perfect shot, but I never had the time to go do it. Then I began to realize there is so much right here in Tokyo. I started something on the blog called “The 2K Experiment”: when I couldn’t think of what to shoot, I would go and explore within 2 kilometers of my house. I found so much stuff that I never considered before—new temples and streets that I have walked past many times without a second look. I found great macro opportunities. I even got to photograph the reporters and news crews surrounding Meguro Police Station when the assailant who beat up Ebizo Ichikawa surrendered. There is always something and somewhere to shoot in Tokyo.
And the most challenging?
The availability of photography equipment [laughs]. Tokyo has anything and everything available and in stock. Most places you would have to order and wait, so that in itself provides a few moments of pause. Tokyo can be a dangerous place financially for photo enthusiasts.
In your opinion, what’s the most photogenic area of Tokyo?
Honestly, everywhere I turn I find a photo opportunity. I don’t have a favorite, but I suggest taking your camera on your arm when you leave home, as it won’t take you long to stumble onto one.
What do you like to do in your downtime?
My job is pretty demanding, so my downtime is precious to me. I enjoy spending time with my beautiful wife Mayumi and our son Kai. I also love learning about photography and writing for and expanding Shoot Tokyo. Come visit!
For more info, see www.shoottokyo.com and www.portfolio.shoottokyo.com. Twitter: @shoottokyo
