Exploring the stories and identities of half-Japanese people online through photos

Interview date:

April 8, 2021

Tetsuro Miyazaki

Photographer
at
Tetsuro Photography
Profile: 
Professional
Study:
University, Self-taught

Tetsuro Miyazaki is an acclaimed professional photographer based in the Netherlands who specializes in portraits, events and street photography. Half-Japanese and half-Belgian, he launched Hāfu2Hāfu, a book/online project which celebrates mixed-origin Japanese people from around the world and their thoughts on identity.

"I would suggest to have a combination of online and offline photography. Make your photos and stop worrying about what people might think of them. Stop worrying about Instagram's algorithm which is messed up because they force you to shoot certain types of photos because that will generate likes and that limits the way you look at the world and the way that you can evolve as a photographer. So if there's any advice I can give about tech, it's to use it to your advantage and not let it guide you and direct you into what you have to be or become or shoot or make."
Hāfu2Hāfu: Japanese/Jordanian by Tetsuro Miyazaki
Hāfu2Hāfu: Japanese/Kenyan by Tetsuro Miyazaki
Street photography in Maastricht by Tetsuro Miyazaki

ADVICE

  • You don't have to go to photography school to become a professional photographer.
  • Good photography skills are useful for study and work in most fields.
  • Don't only talk about diversity and inclusion. Use photos.

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