BIOGRAPHY
I have approached the art of visual storytelling through multiple lenses.
Japanese born, I have lived and photographed in New York City for over 30 years, while also working as a television documentary producer and director. Growing up in Tokyo, Osaka, New York, Mumbai, and Karachi has given me a multicultural perspective and an eye for the rhythms of street and city life reflected in my photography. As a child, I first discovered street photography in Karachi and in New York, I studied under such accomplished masters as Philip Perkis, Arthur Freed, Sarah van Ouwerkerk and Anne Turyn while earning my MFA in photography at Brooklyn's Pratt Institute. I went on to assist and apprentice with photojournalists Enrico Ferorelli, Antonin Kratochvil, Heinz Kluetmeier, Ken Kerbs, Danuta Otfinowski, and Adam Stoltman on numerous editorial and corporate assignments.
After landing a job at the New York-based U.S. production unit of NHK Japanese public broadcaster, I went on to produce, direct and edit numerous documentaries and live events ranging in subject matter from the events following 9/11, the Iraq War, the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, Gun Violence in America, Jazz legends Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock and many, many others. I lead an expert creative and technical team specializing in 8K and 4K content for NHK's full-blown 8K/4K broadcast channel in Japan which launched in December 2018, a role that allowed me to utilize my understanding of optics, visual narrative, and rigorous technical standards.
Street photography is my passion, as does what I would say as the "walking meditation" of losing myself in taking pictures.
In addition to my visual and narrative skills, I also have a law degree from Sophia University in Tokyo.
Documentaries
2013
Documentary WAVE: Standing Up Against Gun Violence in Chicago
2009
ETV Special: 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution
2007
BS Documentary: Segregation After 50 Years - Little Rock Central High School
2006
BS Documentary: Taking the Hill - Iraq War Veterans Running for Congress
2005
A Love Affair with the New York Cheesecake
The 80-Year-old Acrobatic Pilot - Stanley Segalla
2004
NHK Special: Off to War - 730 Days with the Arkansas National Guard
BS Documentary: Off to War - Arkansas National Guard A Soldier's Return
BS Documentary: Off to War - Arkansas National Guard Waiting for the Soldiers
Rescuers of the Wasted Food - A Story of City Harvest
Disaster Masters - Hoarding in America
2003
NHK Special: Dialogue with the Iraqis - Baghdad, Cairo, Tokyo
Bridge to Baghdad Part 1 & 2 - Baghdad, New York
BS Documentary: Has America Changed? Two Years After 9/11
The Inmate and the Puppy - Puppies Behind Bars
Walking on Ground Zero - Two Years After 9/11
NHK Special: Off to War - America's National Guard in Iraq: Arkansas National Guard
BS Documentary: Off to War - Arkansas National Guard En Route to Baghdad
BS Documentary: Off to War - Arkansas National Guard The Sudden Call of Duty
2002
From Ground Zero to Ground Zero - Kandahar, Afghanistan
2001
10 hrs of docs on the 9/11 WTC attacks
8K/4K/360VR Productions
2019
Gen Hoshino Pop Virus World Tour (8K: Sony Hall NY)
Jazz from New York: Pat Metheny Side-Eye Tour (8K: Sony Hall NY)
Jazz from New York: Ron Carter Trio (8K: Blue Note NY)
Jazz from New York: Sadao Watanabe Quartet (8K: Blue Note NY)
2018
Alternate Jake Hunter: DAEDALUS The Awakening of Golden Jazz (360VR: PS4/Nintendo Switch/PC)
Sting & Shaggy 44/876 Tour (8K: The Fillmore Philadelphia)
Sound of Brazil: Ginga feat. Monica Salmaso, Lisa Ono feat. Paulo Jobim & Daniel Jobim and Yamandu Costa feat. Alessandro Penezzi (4K: Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Super Sound of Jazz: Lee Ritenour (4K: Blue Note Hawaii)
2017
Jazz From New York: Bob James feat. Randy Brecker (8K: Blue Note NY)
Jazz From New York: McCoy Tyner with Friends (8K: Blue Note NY)
2016
Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock (8K: Blue Note NY)
Wonder KABUKI Spectacle SHI-SHI-O (4K: MGM Grand, Las Vegas)
Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra feat. Lew Tabackin (8K: Jazz at Lincoln Center)
2015
Total Lunar Eclipse for NHK's flagship science program Cosmic Front NEXT (6K: New York)
KABUKI Spectacle at Fountains of Bellagio: Koi-Tsukami (4K: Bellagio, Las Vegas)
HD Live Streaming Productions
2021
The Nippon Club Holiday Concert
JCCI Virtual Annual Dinner Gala - Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York2020
2020
JCCI Virtual Annual Dinner Gala - Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York
Junko Yagami Virtual Dinner Show - The Nippon Club
Blue Note Streaming Live Series: John Scofield Trio / Michel Camilo / Bill Frisell Trio / Keyon Harrold / Ron Carter Trio / Madeleine Peyroux / Phony Ppl / Marcus Strickland Trio / James Carter Trio / Joey Alexander / James Francies / Suzanne Vega / Mike Stern Street Band / Eddie Palmieri Afro Carribian Jazz Sextet / Ben Williams feat. Marcus Gilmore / Kenny Werner & Chris Potter Duo / Senri Oe Trio / Joe Ross / Joe Lovano / Trio 3 & Vijay Iyer
3D Productions
2014
"Tyson vs Ali" by Reid Farrington (theatrical play)
2013
"Downtown Loop" by Ben Gassman, Meghan Finn (theatrical play)
2012
"Einstein on the Beach" by Robert Wilson, Phillip Glass, Lucinda Childs (opera)
"Charlie Victor Romeo" by Bob Berger, Patrick Daniels (theatrical play)
"Botanica" by Jim Findlay (theatrical play)
"Story/Time" by Bill T. Jones (dance)
Japanese electronics manufacturer commercial
2011
Japanese electronics manufacturer commercial
2010
Time Square - New Year's Eve Countdown Celebration
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in Singapore
Lang Lang in the Third Dimension (PV)
Mecum Spring Classic Car Auction (Discovery 3Net)
Japanese electronics manufacturer commercial
Charles Mee's "Paris Orgy" (theatrical play)
Vancouver Winter Olympic Games
2009
Time Square - New Years Eve Countdown Celebration
Los Angeles (tourism video)
Japanese electronics manufacturer commercial
Robert Wilson's "KOOL - Dancing in My Mind" (theatrical play)
2008
Beijing Summer Olympic Games
MLB Boston RedSox at Seattle Mariners
New York City (tourism video)
Japanese electronics manufacturer commercial
San Francisco, Napa Valley (tourism video)
Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D (concert film - aerial unit)
2007
Japanese electronics manufacturer commercial
Las Vegas (tourism video)
2006
SCAR (first-ever full live-action 3D feature horror film)