Momoko about her photography path: Seeing people happy I am grateful to the universe for being born with the gift of photographic art

Momoko is a talented Japanese photographer who focuses on vintage-style in photographic art. With her art, she takes people back in time, giving them a ticket to the era of castles, authentic outfits, and kingdoms. The girl not only takes pictures, but also sews outfits, creates make up and hairstyles for her shoots. Find out more about her childhood filled with the atmosphere of drawing and classical music, first steps in photography, her love for European architecture, and the secrets of photography in an interview with Momoko on Drive Music Media.

Interviewer: You have an exquisite style in photography. Tell us why you chose the vintage style? What inspires you?

Momoko: Thank you for complimenting my photography style. I chose the vintage style simply because I love it. Growing up with grandparents who painted oil paintings and a family who adored Europe, it was very natural for me to prefer the vintage style. From a young age, I listened to classical and vocal music. Additionally, influenced by my sister who works in fashion, I was able to watch wonderful movies with an old Western cultural feel with her during my middle and high school years. Among these, two movies in particular gave me great inspiration: “Pride and Prejudice” and “Marie Antoinette.” After watching these films, I strongly felt that I wanted to be involved in creating a world with such a style.

Although I originally liked street photography and surreal photography, as the quality of my Western vintage world improved, I felt that people on Instagram especially expected fairy tale, picture book, painting, and folklore themes from me. So, I now stick to that theme.

Interviewer: When did you start photography? What were your first steps in this field?

Momoko: I started photography when I was 14 years old. In my teenage years, I wanted to make movies, but that was understandably difficult. Photography was something I could try more easily. Photography, like movies, allows you to create a completely different scene from what is in front of you, and I was drawn to the same creative process as films. Initially, I used a camera phone to photograph nearby nature and flowers. 

Interviewer: What are the trends in the development of the art of photography in Japan? How difficult is it to build a career in the art of photography?

Momoko: I have never really thought about the trends in the development of photographic art in Japan. Building a career in photographic art took a very long time. I started Instagram at 17 (in 2012), but it took 10 years to surpass 3,000 followers. Having high quality doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be seen by many people, as you need to deal with complex algorithms, making it very challenging.

Aside from making costumes, the most challenging part is deciding on the location. Since I don't have a car, I always have to find places that are accessible by public transportation. Additionally, I need to secure a place near the location where I can freely use power for hair and makeup, which makes planning the location quite difficult. I always want to avoid using the same location, but even after thinking until the last minute, I often end up using the same place because I can't come up with good ideas. However, recently I have started to gather the courage to rent a car and shoot in slightly farther locations. I want to develop this further.

Interviewer: How do you prepare for your shooting? How do you prepare for the realization of an idea and where do you choose clothes?

Momoko: Unless I am making a new costume, I don’t spend much time preparing for a shoot. Usually, I set the shooting date with the model and decide on the location and costumes a few days to the day before. I often decide on the hair and makeup image on the day of the shoot.

I enjoy creating pieces casually and based on the feeling at the moment. Sometimes I refer to images on Pinterest to shape vague ideas, but generally, I stock ideas and images I see daily in my mind and draw from them.

Interviewer: Which of all the photo sessions you have done was most memorable? What was its peculiarity?

Momoko: There isn’t one particular photo session that stands out as most memorable. There are countless memorable shoots, but none that are outstanding.

Interviewer: What is the most difficult part of preparing for a photo shoot in a style like yours?

Momoko: The most challenging part is creating the costume if I’m making it myself. I make clothes, but since I’ve never been taught, I do it completely self-taught and in my own way. Therefore, I am always looking for ways to shape my ideals and spend a lot of time working out feasible designs. Some take about three months to complete.

If I’m not making costumes, deciding on the location and hair and makeup can be challenging.

Interviewer: Is there any idea that you have not yet been able to implement, but would like to? Tell me, please.

Momoko: I’d like to do a fantastical shoot in a beautiful forest with a waterside, using handmade white dresses and flower crowns with about five women with golden or red super-long hair. It would be even better if there was a white horse. I’d also like to do a shoot in a real European castle with a slightly lonely, beautiful, and ephemeral atmosphere, like Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, and Beauty and the Beast. I love wild mushrooms, so I’d like to create works about a girl picking mushrooms and berries in the forest, or something similar to Flower Fairies.

Interviewer: What feelings does photo art evoke in you?

Momoko: When I take photos for my hobby, it excites, moves, and makes me happy and peaceful. It is painful and suffocating for me if I can’t express something through photography, so I feel relieved when I can express it through photos. When I photograph someone, and they are genuinely happy, I feel the meaning of being born on this earth. When people say they are healed by my photos or look forward to seeing them, I am grateful to the universe for being born with the gift of photographic art and being able to showcase my talent.

Interviewer: What would you like to warn those who would like to get into photography and what advice would you give them if you look back on your path to success?

Momoko: While it is easy to take photos now, maintaining passion for photography is not something everyone can do. I would like to warn people not to force themselves into photography. In my case, I was able to continue photographing naturally without forcing myself.

Interviewer: What plans do you have in the near future? What is your next step?

Momoko: I love Europe and take photos with a vintage and antique worldview, but I’ve never visited there. Finally, this summer, I will visit Belgium and France for the first time. I have some shoots with models there, and I would like to do landscape photography and snaps if possible. I might encounter something that greatly influences my photography. I want to find some ideas on how to interact with my photography in the future and come back with them.

Lately, I often don’t know what I want to photograph, so through this trip, I hope to level up my ability to express myself. As the next step, I want to create works in authentic Europe and deliver them to everyone.

Photographer: Momoko