MeySen Academy in Sendai, Japan

Since May of 2011, I’ve had the privilege of going back to Japan a couple times a year to photograph kids at a private school in Sendai, Japan. As you may recall, Sendai was the site of a devastating tsunami/earthquake that occurred on March 11th of 2011. Fortunately, the school I was photographing was able to get things repaired and looking good before I came to do my first photography assignment for them.

MeySen Academy has two different campus locations in Sendai: Maruyama and Takamori. I go back and forth between the two campuses while I’m there. Each has its own beauty that I like to focus on.

I photograph MeySen Academy to provide photos the school uses for advertisements in the local paper, on flyers, and in booklets. Although the school has their own photographers, the graphic designers the school hired thought my photos had a unique look to them that were more suited for advertising. The school’s photographers’ photos are more for up-to-date newsletters and website to keep things fresh throughout the year since I’m only there twice a year.

The best part about doing candid photos of kids is that you never know what you’re going to get at any given moment and you always have to be on your toes. I like the challenge of capturing those crazy moments with fun expressions.

I have so many stories of heart-felt connections I’ve made with the students….from the time I was photographing the kids in a gym on my knees at the center of a circle they made and the teacher told them all to go hug me or the many times that the little girls came over and hugged my legs (I’m 6’7″) when I was walking around the school.

Below are just a few of many photos I’ve taken at MeySen. Please enjoy the captured moments.