A Gentle Touch | Photographer Utaumi | ISSUE #21

Utaumi picked up a camera in her first year of university, stepping into the world of photography. Influenced by her photographer father, she gained early experience as an assistant on shoots and participated in photography events, which inspired her to pursue a career as a photographer. From that winter, she began working with Lovegraph, focusing on family and wedding photography, honing her skills and sense.

When creating her profile for Lovegraph, she registered the photographer name 'Utaumi', derived from her love for singing and her real name, Miu. Over time, she also grew fond of the sea, and her warm photographer name reflects her passions.

"I can't forget my first wedding shoot," she says with a smile. Her hands trembled with nerves, and she was focused solely on completing the shoot successfully. However, over more than three years of photography, she developed a strong desire to connect deeply with the emotions and stories of those she photographs, beyond just capturing beautiful images.

The phrase “gently touching the warmth of the heart” encapsulates how Utaumi's photography expresses more than just visuals. Typically, she meets her guests for the first time on the day of the shoot. The stories of those she meets through photography enrich her inspiration.

"During shoots, I sometimes suggest slightly embarrassing things, like gazing into each other's eyes or holding hands with family to express gratitude. I aim to capture the warmth and happy memories felt in those moments," she explains.

While she cannot fully understand them, she strives to express the universal love and feelings people have for their families through photography. Through this expression, she hopes to touch the warmth within each person's heart.

Utaumi's photos do not assert themselves but rather maintain a gentle proximity, with emotional depth in their spaces. Her aim is not just to take beautiful photos but to delicately depict the emotions and stories hidden within her subjects, inviting viewers to imagine the emotions of the story.

It's been almost two years since Utaumi began living in Okayama. The rich nature and tranquil life in Okayama have inspired her not only in her work as a photographer but also in her activities as a photographic artist, such as holding photo exhibitions.

"Moving to Okayama brought a new breeze into my life," Utaumi says. The serene lifestyle and the beauty of nature, different from the city, gave her the sense that "life continues through the expressions I create," a feeling she gained from her encounter with Okayama.

"The nature of Okayama, indifferent to human worries, quietly cycles through the seasons, repeating day and night, showing beautiful landscapes each time. It teaches me to cherish things as they are," she says. The nature of Okayama and the emotions born there add unique colors to her photography.

Looking to the future as a photographic artist, Utaumi says, "I don't know what will happen to me in the future, but that's exciting." She hopes to continue sharing her love for spaces and places with those she cares about. She is excited about the warm feelings she can bring to those she interacts with and the photos and expressions that will emerge from it.

Additionally, she plans to expand her expression into words, creating collections of works in the future. We look forward to witnessing the quiet narratives captured by Utaumi by the calm shores of Okayama.