"Capture Summer in Blue" Capture What You Love When You Love It | Photographer Shiori Iwakura | ISSUE #38

Shiori Iwakura became passionate about photography after joining the photography club in high school. She continued photography as a hobby after graduation, holding solo exhibitions at local cafes. One day, a photo of the Seto Inland Sea she took locally gained significant attention on social media, leading to work requests.

"Honestly, the local scenery was just ordinary to me. I never thought of it as something special. But through social media, I realized that the scenery I see every day might be something others admire."

Iwakura's style, which emphasizes 'blue' in her photos of the sea and sky, is a strong preference of hers. From a young age, she surrounded herself with blue items and often gazed at the blue of the Seto Inland Sea after school. Blue has become an integral part of her life. She is meticulous about arranging her feed, only showcasing works unified in cool tones.

"Seeing blue makes me feel very calm. I think I'm drawn to the quietness that blue embodies. I'm not used to bustling places, so I generally prefer quiet spaces. That's why I choose times with fewer people for my shoots."

For Iwakura, the Seto Inland Sea strongly evokes summer, naturally leading to more photos taken during this season. When asked about a memorable summer shooting episode, she shared a story about capturing rare cumulonimbus clouds in the Seto Inland Sea.

"The Seto Inland Sea usually has calm weather, but last year, due to sudden downpours, I was able to see cumulonimbus clouds. There were times when I spotted them on the way to a summer festival with friends and chased after them like a child."

Iwakura often relies on notes for her creative work, jotting down her fantasies and imaginations and finding places where those scenes can be realized. She predicts various patterns from one location, such as "What if the moon sets?" or "What if it rains?", and selects shooting locations accordingly.

"It's like connecting and painting over the scenes I want to capture. If I feel 'this isn't the right time' for a place, I leave it without forcing a shot. Sometimes the scenery matches my imagination, and sometimes it doesn't, which I find interesting."

Iwakura is currently involved in work that conveys the charm of the region through photography. She often receives consultations like "We want tourists, but we're not sure how to convey the local charm." However, she feels that every place is filled with beautiful scenery when she visits.

"I think there are many things we don't notice even though they're close to us. Just changing your perspective a little can make familiar places look wonderful. I hope many people can experience the joy of noticing such moments."