Staying True to Your Vision—Photographer, Jun Tagai

Jun Tagai's path to photography was neither clear nor easy. Lacking family and financial support, he relied on sheer determination and resilience to persevere. But the joy he felt when looking at his family photos—and the memories they evoked—was priceless. He wanted to recreate those same feelings for others because few things in life are as cherished as a family photo album.

Check out our interview to see how Jun stayed true to himself and his vision.

Mudra Love: Can you give us a little background? How did you get interested in photography?

Jun Tagai: I’m self-taught. I took a photography class in high school but that was about it. My parents wanted me to play sports, so they wouldn’t pay for a camera. Back then it was expensive. I loved it, but I got away from it until my early 20s.

Photography was something that never left my mind.

ML: Why is photography important to you?

JT: When I saw family photos, for example of my grandparents, my childhood, and my parents, it brought back a lot of feelings that refreshed my memory. I felt like nothing could bring back these memories in the same way, except for maybe music. I also got into art photography to express myself. I was shy, the kid in the back of the classroom who wasn’t good at speaking.

Finally, I found a way to express myself without words.

ML: Do you remember the moment you decided to pursue photography full time?

JT: In my early 20s, I started working for an electronics company so I could buy a camera. Once I got my camera, I quit. I didn’t want to get dragged into that sector and sacrifice my happiness for money and security. I started shooting as a hobby until people noticed my work. Then I won a show in Japan that changed everything. It paved the way for more portrait and scenery photography.

ML: Question from our readers: What camera model would you recommend for beginners in photography?

JT: Whatever camera you have on you is the best camera to shoot with.

I’m not a technical photographer. I don’t always know the setting on my camera. I choose a camera because I think it’s fun to shoot, not because of the specs. If you don’t have fun using the camera, you’re not going to capture anything good.

ML: Do you take pictures every day?

JT: I go everywhere with my camera. I probably forget my wallet more than my camera, but I don’t shoot every day.

ML: Do you have a guiding philosophy for your work?

There is a quote on my website, “Photographs are not taken, they are created.”

I think anyone can take a photograph, but I think creating an image is completely different. You must have a completely different eye, a different sense of your surroundings, a heightened level of sensitivity.

ML: How do you capture the perfect moment?

JT: There are two types of photographers. One goes out and waits for the perfect moment and the other who creates it. The photographer who waits calculates for the perfect moment. Maybe this is called observatory photography. My style is not that. I usually have an idea or an image in my head that I want to pursue, but I also don’t know what I’m going to get until I’m out there.

ML: Can you describe your aesthetic?

JT: I like to tell a story with my photos. I have a photojournalistic style. These are living in the moment, moments. I walk around, see, feel, listen—to create. I’m not waiting around. I’m going out and finding it. Little beauty in mundane moments. For example, a dirty puddle of water downtown. With the right reflection and right timing, I can capture something beautiful. You have to go out and find it.

ML: Do you have any advice for those interested in pursuing photography?

JT: Take three steps and two photographs.

ML: How has photography impacted your life?

JT: It has impacted my life in every way. I would not have met my wife if it was not for photography. I wouldn’t be sitting here with you talking about what I love. I can’t imagine my life without it.

*This interview has been edited for brevity & clarity