Interview
Haruka Nishizaki
Japan
Experience the inner thoughts of Haruka Nishizaki, and her adorable son who sometimes model for her images.
1 Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
I was born in Hokkaido, Japan. Around 2013, I bought a Sony mirrorless camera and started taking small items. After that, I started to shoot beautiful landscapes of Hokkaido, but I originally liked to draw pictures, and eventually I started to create works by synthesizing photographs.
2 Where did you study photography?
Since last year, I have been attending an online course by world-famous photographer Kent Shiraishi, where I have learned a lot of meaningful things. From that time on, I started doing photo manipulation.
3 Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
It is a two-wheeled rose flower.
4 What equipment do you use?
The camera model I am currently using is Sony ?7?. I have never used a camera other than sony, but if there is a good camera in the future, I would like to use other cameras as well.
5 What do you hope to achieve?
I want to hold a solo exhibition all over the world and publish a photo book. And I want to create works that exceed my imagination.
6 What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
It's very encouraging to be told, "It's an idea that no one else can think of."
7 What inspires your unique storytelling?
I have been influenced by many wonderful photographs and the works of painters. Recently, I've been influenced by Magritte.
8 What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
Surreal, darkness, hope
9 Congratulations! As the winner of the MUSE Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
This was my first attempt at this award, but I am very honored to receive this wonderful award. And I was convinced that the work I was doing was not wrong and gave me confidence. thank you very much.
10 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2022 MUSE Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
"One Summer Adventure" is a work in which my son is the main character. Just as the world was scared of infectious diseases, I wanted to create something that made me feel hopeful. Through Magritte's work, "Mother" was able to learn that everything on this planet is surrounded by motherhood. "Unleash myself" is the same as "Mother", and I expressed my thoughts through Magritte's world view. I wanted to express that photography is very free and has infinite possibilities. This award was full of innovative and memorable works, which made me want to test my strength.
11 How has winning an award developed your career?
It was last year that I started applying for photography awards outside Japan. However, it was my first time to win the Gold Award, so it definitely had a big impact on my career.
12 Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
Kent Shiraishi. Magritte is not a photographer, but he is one of them.
13 What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
The work must be beautiful. This is the advice I received from Kent Shiraishi.
14 What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
Learn under a leader you can trust and follow the path you believe in. That is absolutely not wrong.
15 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
I think it's something to try anyway. If you don't do it, nothing will start.
16 How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
I try to save the exchanges with everyone in the online course and the works I met on the Internet and SNS, and look back over and over again.
