PNG Coffee Cooperative Leader: Elizabeth

“I belong on the coffee farms, back in Papua New Guinea”

I believe that one of the most beautiful results of human encounters is the gentle mark which people leave on each other.

I met Elizabeth in early May through my company. My work outside of photography is involved with global supply chains, so I got lucky to having a chance to meet her. I’ve never met a coffee farmer before, and how lucky was I to meet a cooperative leader? It took 33 years of living. It was definitely worth it.

We first met at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE), where she was sharing samples of her coffee, grown from PNG. What first caught my attention was her eyes. They showed confidence, story, strength, determination, and care. You know when you meet somebody, and you can feel the depth through their eyes? Elizabeth was one of those people. I watched as she looked deeply into the eyes of every person she met. Each interaction, sincere & honest. I felt that sincerity several days later, when I got to spend some time with her before her flight home.

Stepping back temporarily, let me give you a more surface level description of her. Elizabeth is a coffee cooperative leader in Papua New Guinea, in fact, the only female coffee cooperative leader in PNG. Directing and administering in Goroka, she is the voice that guides her farmers towards growth in the coffee production industry. Her farmers trust her vision and direction to protect them and helping them compete in the world of coffee trade.

Her stay here was short, a few days here in Melbourne. It was her second time visiting Australia and first visit to Melbourne, the land of (justifiably) coffee snobs.

I got to spend some time with Elizabeth once more before she left to PNG. While travelling down to south Melbourne together, I observed as she looked at various Melbourne architecture zoom by on the local tram and enjoyed how she shared her thoughts about the tram experience. While walking around the Botanical Gardens, we exchanged stories of our backgrounds & why we’re where we are today. Spending those few hours with Elizabeth taught me that leaders, although they need to be strong and stern, are also silly. When we encountered fancy structures and architectures, Elizabeth exposed her silly personality as she stuck silly poses and laughed at herself (with me) in the process.

Near the end of our time together, Elizabeth spoke about belonging and purpose.

Something she said to me that day struck me. She looked at me and asked, “Do you belong here? Do you have purpose here in the city?”
She proceeded, “I do not belong here in the city. What would I do here? I belong on the coffee farms, in Papua New Guinea.”

I understood that question as, “What purpose, what would I have to offer where I am now?”
”Do I feel fulfilment in where I am, what part of me I am sharing with the world today?”

Her question continues to linger in my mind, and may forever do so.
She taught me that each person has a unique contribution to offer the world, and they occur in different parts of the world. In this world where freedom and individualism are becoming mainstream, I cannot deny the feeling of simultaneous loneliness which can result our need for community, the beauty in knowing how and where we feel that we are making a fulfilling contribution.

To somewhere. To somebody.
Even in the arguments for the acceptance of meaninglessness, which I respect and to a degree resonate with, I cannot argue against the reality, which is that each living entity leave some sort of impact that moves this planet in some direction.

So dear reader, I bring this question to you. If you can fill in the blanks, what would you write?

“I belong on the , back in ”

Cheers,
Masumi

Children on Cinestill 50D

Last month I got to photograph a few adorable children on the film stock Cinestill 50D.

One cold July morning, my friend, her two children, and I met up at a cute cafe called Park Street Cafe in North Carlton. We enjoyed hot chocolate, coffee and a giant muffin. The staff kindly let us use their blocked off area to click some photographs by yours truly. Afterward we snapped a few more images using the Kodak 400 film stock at the outdoor play area.

In all honesty, I can’t remember the last time I photographed kids. So that said, here are my thoughts of photographing children. Please enjoy.

One of the best part of children, in my opinion is how unabashedly honest they are. Seeing their personalities and honest feelings being shared with me, it is such a privilege to capture who they are, at that age, at that moment in their history. When taking the photograph at the back corner of the cafe, the older boy looked straight into my camera lens to be photographed, as if it was a task that simply needed to be checked off to go play. The younger child, when it was her turn to be photographed, reached for her mother to sit with her, nervous of what was to happen. She eventually crawled under the table, coy in front of a camera.

When outside, they were a bit more of a challenge to photograph on a manual focusing lens, as they ran around as children do. That said, it was heaps of fun. I would do it again.

10 years from now, these two children may have completely different personalities. 10 years from now, they will gain an uncountable amount of new experiences. I wonder what they will be like after so many years. Only time will tell, and I quite like that thought.

Speaking about the film, I love how Cinestill 50D makes images look like a scene from a movie.

As shown in the images, this film stock highlights natural tones beautifully.
The oranges are gently present.
The greens are soft yet deep.
The reds are saturated, unafraid of attention.

These images have minimal edits, which is rare because I love editing.

I cannot wait to shoot more on this film stock.

Jennie Pu: Hoboken Library Director

Earlier last year I had the privilege to take headshots for the new director of the Hoboken Library: Jennie Pu

Several months later this opportunity extended to her entire library staff body. Thank you Jennie for this opportunity, it was a great pleasure!

The images were taken on Sony a7iii, using the Zeiss 85mm. I loved how sharp the images turned out and created a nice bokeh in the background.

Cheers,
Asuka Visions

Anu - Fujicolor 100

Good morning Melbourne, New York, you. Wherever you are.

A few weeks ago I got to try out a new film stock: Fujicolor 100.

From this shoot, I can conclude that this film stock highlights blues, greens and yellows wonderfully.

Enjoy!

Lucky for primarily natural light shooters, the sun is pretty strong so it is easier to capture images like the one shown above. I simply fell in love with the light that shot through the fence and touched her skin gently.

That said, it also scorches you. So my dear Australia visitors, wear sunscreen if you visit!

I am glad to report to you that this film stock captures my favourite warm tones as well!
Stay tuned - posting images from my trip to the Great Ocean Road soon. :)

XO,
AV

Quarantine

I heard her voice shift towards the spectrum of sorrow.

Yesterday, a woman who was standing in line behind me to take a PCR COVID-19 test was speaking to her friend over the phone. Upset with her circumstance she started to tell her friend that she was to spend Christmas isolated. I could see the tears through the voice my ears heard.

One week ago, I packed up my life and ventured over to Melbourne, Australia. Yes, I ventured to the opposite side of the world. Australia requires a three day mandatory quarantine. All newcomers are to take a PCR test within one day of arrival as well as between the five to seven day span to ensure that they did not bring the virus to their country. Yesterday I was in line to take my second test - in anticipation of receiving my second negative test.

While waiting in line, I heard the conversation of the person behind me in frustration and sadness. She rather calmly expressed frustration that her housemate tested positive for COVID-19, and now she was to spend seven days in quarantine, to spend Christmas alone.

Having spent the holidays quite alone for the past few years I have quite gotten used to isolation during these times. Hearing her conversation, it reminded me that for many being along for the holidays is tragic. To want to see people, to want to feel the embrace of loved ones, and have that privilege ripped from you, is something to mourn. This experience reminded me of the tragedies of forced isolation, and hence I decided to do a self-portrait mini shoot dedicated to how people may be feeling during forced quarantine.

So this is for you,

my friends who experienced the internal challenges associated with the circumstance of being isolated, in a world where we live for connection.

Quarantined.

People have shared with me the following which occurred due to quarantine: Depression - lack of motivation, low energy, social anxiety - difficulty to talk to others, loneliness.

Whatever you experienced, and whatever you are currently working through due to living through such an unexpected yet mammoth challenge, you are most likely holding hands metaphorically with somebody who is working through similar difficulties today. Please hold that hand gently. Please be kind to yourself, to that person who you don’t know - but maybe one day will know.

Some people, myself included have grown tremendously internally from this prolonged time of self-isolation. For me, thanks to the support of a wonderful therapist I took the time of isolation to dig deep within to address parts of myself which I did not know needed detangling. I also should share that as somebody who leans more towards introversion, isolation was far more comfortable than my extroverted counterparts. Each went through their own unique experience, and yours is valid.

If you need a listening ear, some of us here are eager to share that burden.

Photos shot on my digital camera, using a timer. 35mm lens.

For photography, I am planning to do more creative shoots as I meet more models upon settling down a little better here in my new home. I am still open to elopements and portraits but only during specific months this year. Feel free to contact for details.

Cheers,
Masumi

Au Naturale: Sanctuary Pt. I

Lately I have been venturing more into shooting an art style that I have avoided for years: nude.

Growing up in a very conservative religion, the term “modesty” was strongly ingrained in my brain. Modesty in that religion entailed covering your body with clothing in order to avoid sexually tempting, or attracting a man. Everybody followed rules to cover their shoulders, wear pants that hid the majority of their thighs, and for women, their breasts and midriffs were not to be seen. I lived according to this standard for over 20 years, and after finally leaving this faith, I have come to embrace an entirely new philosophy about us, and our bodies.

It has taken years of questioning, re-discovering and understanding my own body and how I feel about it to get here today, and boy am I glad to share with you how i feel about… yes, the body. The body, once so shameful to show, now no more.

It is these very lessons I learned about humans and their bodies that have led me to delve into shooting people in their honest, raw, natural form. Here are my thoughts about the body au naturale from the lens of appreciation, grace, respect, and safety.

Your body holds you. It contains you. It works quietly to support you.

In return, I believe that the body appreciates the consistent care you give it too. After all, it is a part of you. Your body is not a sinful piece of flesh - it is not solely temptation to man. I’d like to believe that we have the privilege to choose who touches it, who gets to hold it, who gets to embrace all that the body stands for. Your body holds your dreams, your thoughts, your fears. It is the instrument through which you can laugh and smile today and tomorrow. Your body is free to be and should not feel ashamed to be seen and appreciated for what it is or how it looks.

In a sex-concentrated society, I’d like to shed light on a countering viewpoint. Yes, bodies can express sexual energy, and that is fire-y and spicy, yes. Thus said, I beckon that we first and foremost appreciate the body and its wonderful sensuality. The softness of the inner palm, the toughness of a collarbone, the shift in color shown on the shoulder as dawn arrives. The beauty of the body, and what it means to be walking on this planet is what motivates me to photograph people in their nude form.

I understand that exposing parts of yourself, your body that often feels safe while hidden with attire can come with a lot of fear. Conversation is extremely important when allowing yourself the opportunity to be seen. If you are interested in a portrait session to be photographed nude do reach out to me via e-mail. If there is one lesson I have learned about fear throughout my thirty years of existence, it is that most of the time fear exists because there is something wonderful ahead of you.

The role of the photographer is to create safe space for openness and vulnerability. It is an opportunity to create a sanctuary for somebody to say, “This is me” and capture the essence of that person. I am looking forward to having wonderful sessions with you in the near future.

Model: Josette Penzel
Shot on: Portra 800 35mm & 120mm.
Studio: Brooklyn, New York.

Cheers,
Asuka Visions

Your Headshot Components

Lately I have been receiving more requests for headshots, and with these opportunities I decided to share with you a few personal insights as to what might help you for your headshot shoot. For those of you who are looking to either update your headshot or get your first ones ever, here are a few important components to consider while preparing.

Color

You may notice that people in certain industries wear similar colors in their headshots. The color you wear has a lot of power in displaying the kind of energy which you give your viewer. The colors you wear affects the kind of energy which you give out, so it is recommended that you speak with your photographer about what to wear. In fact, if you want to discuss with me attire options I will most likely appreciate it. There is a lot more to discuss about color so I will follow up with another post to share with you more information about it.

Location

The location of where you shoot can add so much to your headshot. When choosing your spot, keep in mind the kind of vibe you want to present to your audience. Some photographers and/or clients enjoy the controlled aspect of studio shoots, and some prefer feeling the fresh breeze of the wind while shooting outdoors. Both are valid. From my experience shooting outdoors tends to invite a warm and comfortable setting, while indoors can carry a more serious vibe to focus directly on the task of photographing you. If shooting outdoors, make sure that your setting has colors that contrast well with your skin tone. Also, check hat the vibe of the location matches with the intention of your shoot.

Energy

Energy is emitted in a variety of ways, we can talk about this for hours, but for the sake of this post we will discuss energy only for headshots. The main question to ask here is this: What kind of vibe am I trying to send out? Calmness? Confidence? Seriousness? Welcoming energy? Depending on the energy that you want to portray, the components to create the photograph will be affected. Neat, right?

Some ways which energy is showcased is through attire, makeup, locations, and body posture. There are tips and tricks that I personally use to make the body emit the energy we seek. Every artist will have their own unique ways to make photographs work. Many times I start off with presenting this tips for clients to keep in mind and then oftentimes give direction for angles , body positioning, etc, to make my client look their best.

So to wrap it up, what we discussed today are three main components of photographing a headshot that fits for your needs. Don’t forget, color, location and energy. I hope it helps!

Cheers,
Asuka Visions

Gender Bending

Greetings my friends!

Those of you who follow my social media such as Facebook or Instagram know that I have never photographed anybody nude. It has always been my worry that my model or client would be sexualized so I have always avoided it. This shoot for me with the kind and brave Shelby felt like it was the perfect entryway to gain comfort in photographing a nude body, because they were portrayed exactly how I see it, a wonderful body.

A body, meaning the beautiful physical carrier of a package of emotions, beliefs, hopes and dreams. Thank you for hiring me to photograph this wonderful message of gender identification. There are many things I want to share about this message, but I’d like to hear your personal experience with our bodies. Do you identify with the body you were born in? What personality traits do you carry that the general society does not welcome because of the body you have? I’m all ears, or eyes really.

Why do you think is the significance behind the green socks? :) I personally felt it was a wonderful touch to add to the message of bending genders towards one another.

See you again

Asuka