Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on August 2010

Where are you from and what brought you to Japan?
I’m originally from the southwest of Western Australia, a little town called Quindalup on the Cape Naturalist Peninsula. I first arrived in Japan on my 23rd birthday in 1998, with one night’s accommodation booked at the Yoyogi International Youth Hostel, a skateboard, a tent and my cameras, with little to no plan as to what I was actually going to do with myself. I fell in love with Japan on a hitchhiking journey from Tokyo to Hokkaido and back, and from there I never really looked back.

What do you do?
My primary occupation is as a freelance photographer. I run a small studio out of the Ikejiri Institute of Design and mainly work for small fashion labels, as well as shooting editorial and commercial content for a variety of clients. I’ve worked for some well-known fashion brands such as Marc Jacobs, Paul & Joe and Vivienne Westwood, as well as a variety of Japanese designers. Earlier in the year I started a company called The Collective with Lizzie Murray here in Tokyo and Nick Griffin, who is based out of Dubai. Together we started producing Latitude Magazine, which has been released for sale on the iPad (and soon the iPhone).

Tell us more about the magazine.
Latitude Magazine for the iPad is a historical record of the world as it exists on one day. The cumulative work of over 50 photojournalists spread across the globe, the magazine aims to present the daily lives of an international collection of interesting individuals, communities and workplaces, in a manner that expands our understanding of the world. I act as the project coordinator and editor-in-chief.

Do you have any other projects?
I’m also involved in Kids Camera Crew, a workshop for kids that has them put together their very own fashion shoot where they perform the roles of photographer, model and stylist. This year we have picked up FujiFilm and Yubi Rental as sponsors, and are talking with various prefectural governments about taking the workshop on the road. We have two workshops coming up at the end of August, one on the 20th at an architectural company’s showroom in Yoga and another on the 28th at a photo studio in Ikejiri.

What do you like to do in your downtime?
I start new projects in my downtime—I have far too much energy bristling through my veins to actually take time out to relax. Well, that’s not exactly true. I spend most of my time playing with my two daughters down at the beach in Shonan or hanging out at the Tsujido Kaihin Koen pool.

What’s your recipe for a perfect day in Tokyo?
A perfect day for me would be spent down the beach in Shonan at one of the jazz bars, casually enjoying a beer or two while the girls have fun playing in the surf and sand.

www.nathanshanahan.com; www.kidscameracrew.com; www.thecollectivepublishinghouse.com