Marin Kawamori | Japan
Marin Kawamori is a Japanese photographer and filmmaker focused on visual storytelling. Her work is inspired by nature and childhood, reflecting a lifelong passion for narrative expression.
Can you share your story of how you started photography?
I’ve always been passionate about storytelling. When I attended a Japanese art university, I had the freedom to explore various disciplines within the arts. I initially started with acting, then transitioned to videography, and eventually found my way to photography.
What captivated me about photography was its unique ability to convey stories and the element of surprise when shooting on film and how the final result could be so unexpected and organic.
What subjects or themes do you feel most drawn to photograph, and what sparks that connection for you?
I love taking pictures of people. Even when I capture a scene or landscape, I aim to evoke a sense of presence, as if someone was just there, leaving behind traces of their story.
Tell us about one of your most significant projects or photo/video series. What inspired it, and what did it teach you about yourself as an artist?
One of my most significant photography series was captured at a unique kindergarten where I grew up. This place had a profound impact on my life, and returning there to observe and photograph the children was a fascinating experience. It challenged me to connect with the kids on a deep level and adapt to their energy, as capturing moments with constantly moving subjects requires a blend of patience and spontaneity.
While I don’t yet have permission to share the series publicly, I hope to publish it someday and share the story it tells.
Not only are you an incredible photographer, you make exquisite videos too. Could you tell us more about your videography?
While I have a deep passion for photography, I’ve always been cautious about turning it into a full-time commercial endeavor, as I didn’t want to risk losing the joy it brings me. Videography, on the other hand, allows me to be more flexible, open to direction, and collaborative.
That’s why I decided to explore it professionally. It’s incredibly fun and rewarding to work with diverse teams and bring stories to life through video, but it holds a different place in my heart compared to photography.
In what ways has photography changed your perspective on the world or your daily life?
Carrying a camera feels like having an extra set of eyes, it transforms how I see the world. I notice details I might otherwise overlook, and my perspective shifts depending on whether I’m shooting with color or black-and-white film.
Photography also deepens my connection with people. When I photograph someone, I feel like I’m seeing more of their essence through the lens, creating a sense of closeness that’s hard to put into words.
What are your current goals or long-term dreams for your photography and videographer?
My goal is to become someone who helps preserve memories through photography and videography. Rather than focusing solely on commercial work, I want to develop my own unique genre — one that resonates deeply with people and becomes a part of their act of remembering. Creating meaningful work that captures the essence of moments and stories is what drives me.
What message do you hope to convey through your photography to other female photographers?
To me, photography is an act of remembering rather than merely recording. Just as memories evolve over time— sometimes becoming more vivid or idealized — I strive to capture that sense of nostalgia and interpretation in my work. I aim to reflect how things feel, rather than how they exactly were. This is why I’m drawn to shooting on film as it beautifully embodies the imperfections and emotion of memory.
Who are some photographers or artists that inspire your work, and what have you learned from them?
Two of my favorite photography books are Immediate Family by Sally Mann and The Adventures of Guille and Belinda and the Enigmatic Meaning of Their Dreams by Alessandra Sanguinetti, both created by incredibly talented female photographers.
What inspires me most about their work is how they transform everyday, ordinary lives into something cinematic and deeply evocative. Their ability to find beauty and narrative in the mundane has profoundly influenced my approach to storytelling through photography.
