Emma Nakamura
Documentary & Portrait Photographer
I photograph the quiet moments between the big ones. Documentary and portrait photographer based in Tokyo, working globally for editorial, fashion, and humanitarian clients. My work has appeared in National Geographic, Vogue Japan, The New York Times, and TIME. I'm drawn to stories of resilience, identity, and the spaces people call home.
Gallery
Tokyo After Rain
Neon reflections on wet streets
Morning Light
Golden hour portrait series
Urban Geometry
Architectural patterns in Shibuya
The Fisherman
Daily life on Lake Inle, Myanmar
Studio Portrait
Editorial shoot for Vogue Japan
Desert Roads
Landscape series in Namibia
Market Day
Morning market in Osaka
Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama, Kyoto
The Dancer
Contemporary dance editorial
Portfolio
Invisible Cities
A 3-year documentary project exploring how rapid urbanization reshapes communities in Southeast Asia. Published as a 200-page monograph by Aperture.
Faces of Resilience
Portrait series for National Geographic documenting communities rebuilding after natural disasters. Shot across 8 countries over 2 years.
Vogue Japan — Spring Collection
20-page editorial spread for Vogue Japan's spring issue. Styled by Anna Dello Russo, shot on location in Kyoto's bamboo groves.
Experience
Freelance Photographer
Self-employed · Tokyo, Japan
- Published in National Geographic, TIME, Vogue Japan, NYT
- Shot campaigns for Uniqlo, Muji, and Issey Miyake
- 3 solo exhibitions in Tokyo, New York, and Paris
- Regular contributor to Magnum Photos stories
Staff Photographer
The Japan Times · Tokyo, Japan
- Shot 500+ editorial assignments across news, culture, and sports
- Won Japan Press Photo Award for earthquake aftermath coverage
- Established the paper's visual storytelling workshop series
Awards
World Press Photo — Singles, 2nd Place
World Press Photo Foundation · 2024
Documentary portrait from 'Faces of Resilience' series
Japan Press Photo Award
Japan Press Photographers Association · 2015
Coverage of Kumamoto earthquake aftermath
Aperture Portfolio Prize
Aperture Foundation · 2022
For 'Invisible Cities' documentary project
Client Love
Emma sees what others walk past. Her ability to find beauty and dignity in everyday moments is what makes her work transcend photography and become art.
Yuki Tanaka
Photo Editor, National Geographic
She has the patience of a documentary filmmaker and the eye of a painter. Every assignment with Emma exceeds expectations.
Hiroshi Sato
Creative Director, Uniqlo
Book a Shoot
Available for portraits, weddings, events, and creative projects worldwide.
emma.photo@example.com
Based in
Tokyo, Japan