My Student is a Japanese Pop Star | Hitomi Takahashi
Well technically, since she graduated and I am not teaching anymore, Hitomi Takahashi is not my student anymore, but while she was in high school and I was her teacher I couldn’t really blog about it. Hitomi was my student when she was a freshman in high school at Shiogama Girls High School. She was this shy, teeny-tiny girl (147 cm, what is that, about 4’8″?), who sat in the back and never volunteered to answer any questions unless she was called on. When I realized who she was, and after hearing her music I couldn’t believe that such a loud, incredible voice was coming from this little girl! Even more incredible than that was when I went to see her perform live. On stage, she was a completely different person. In class, Hitomi was a quiet, down to earth, humble, shy girl, but on stage, she was this all powerful, attention commanding, loud women. What an incredible transformation it was! Seriously, it is so hard to believe how much power–and what an incredible voice– this girl has, especially at a live performance. After a teaching few months, I had found out that we had a common interest in photography, so we made a trade. I gave her a small book of some of my photographs and she hooked me up with a autograph on her CD… I definitely got the better end of the bargain there!
Thanks Hitomi!
After the break are some of her songs, even if you can’t understand Japanese, I think you will still appreciate her voice! This first one was her first single that debuted at number 1 in the Japanese Pop Charts, something only one other women singer had done at that point. I am not a huge fan of JPOP, and maybe it is because I am biased, but I really like Hitomi Takahashi’s music! Read more
Experience Japan: Travel and Photo Guide
UPDATED January, 2011, I have a limited amount of availability for for March/April of 2011! I’d love to be your personal Japan tour guide and show you all of what Japan has to offer by creating an unforgettable experience in Japan. If you are interested in having me guide you while you are traveling around Japan, please contact me for details/availability. Also, the new Japan Photo Guide website is now live!
Living in Japan for over three was one of the best experiences of my life. While I lived abroad, I spent a lot of time traveling. I traveled throughout the county and have probably been more places than most Japanese! Japan is a unique, exquisite and beautiful place that might seem daunting to do by yourself. This is where I come in, as your Experience Japan Travel and Photography Guide, part Japan tour guide and part photographer. I create custom travel tours of Japan, based on you unique interests, personalities and how active you want to be. Whether it is a relaxing onsen tour around Japan, a temple and shrine Kyoto tour, or traveling around all of Japan, I can create a custom itinerary for you and be your photography and travel guide in Japan.
There are a few things that I am really passionate about, and Japan and photography happen to be two of them. I really enjoy talking about and sharing my experiences from Japan. That is why I take a small group of travelers to this incredible place. I love to share my unique view on the country and its culture and to guide travelers throughout Japan to some great spots to visit, photograph, and enjoy!
In addition, and maybe the best part, not only will I act as your tour guide of Japan and photography mentor, but also I will be your own personal photographer for your vacation in Japan! No more shots of only the wife or having to ask a stranger to take your photo (which always ends up not the way you wanted it)! I will document your vacation as much as you want and provide you with great memories and unique experiences as your guide in Japan. Please contact me for more details.
UPDATED January, 2011, I have a limited amount of availability for for March/April of 2011! I’d love to be your personal Japan tour guide and show you all of what Japan has to offer by creating an unforgettable experience in Japan. If you are interested in having me guide you while you are traveling around Japan, please contact me for details/availability. Also, the new Japan Photo Guide website is now live!
Missing Japan: Sapporo Snow Festival
Japan has a festival for just about everything you can imagine. To be honest, most of them are over hyped and once you have seen one, you have seen them all. Of course, there are some exceptions. One of which being the Sapporo Snow Festival, which is in Sapporo every February. This was by far my favorite festival in Japan! The main attractions are the huge snow sculptures, some of which are functional, some artistic and some are both. Equally as cool, in the entertainment district Susukino, there are some amazing ice sculptures…the best of which are actually ice bars that open at night and serve hot drinks! Throughout my years of living in Japan, I only went once… now I wish I went every year and can’t wait until I get the chance to go back!
Yuki and Mariko
This was the first wedding I shot and the one I talked about on the about Evan page. It seems like so long ago now, and I was so close to not even shooting it at all. Really hard to imagine now what my life would be like if I hadn’t…
Needless to say, weddings in Japan are quite different from weddings in the USA. Don’t let the western attire fool you! There was no dancing, no tiered cake, no bridesmaids or groomsmen, no tossing of the bouquet, and so on; however, it was still a beautiful wedding and a wonderful time.
