When I find clothes or places I like, I draw a simple sketch in advance while imagining suitable topics. After that, I prepare props and costumes that match the concept. The preparation process can take as little as a week but also as long as several months…
When and why did you start collecting dolls and taking photos of them? Can you tell us what your beginnings looked like? What kind of dolls do you focus on? Do you also collect scale figures or Nendoroids?
Not many, but I have been collecting figures little by little since I was a student. During my studies, I was recommended BJD by my friend, and I chose to start photographing Dollfie Dream MDD. At present, I am focusing on the Dollfie Dream instead of figures.
How do you plan the scenes and what kind of results do you try to achieve?
When I find clothes or places I like, I draw a simple sketch in advance while imagining suitable topics. After that, I prepare props and costumes that match the concept. The preparation process can take as little as a week but also as long as several months.
How is collecting dolls and taking photos of them perceived as a hobby in Korea?
It is a rare hobby, but it has been quite popular among students recently. It is a hobby that is growing as many age groups enjoy it. Korea is located between Japan and China, so it is easy to purchase overseas goods.
Do you use any special photography or post-production technique?
I often photoshop the pictures to achieve perfect light. For example, I shoot separately by adding flashlight in different directions so that I can photograph a clean and pretty face.
To tell you one more thing, I sometimes paste “mouth parts” into the pictures to make the dolls’ facial expressions and behavior livelier. It is interesting how the content of the picture changes depending on the shape of the doll’s mouth.
What is the favourite doll photo you have ever taken and which has been the most challenging one?
It is hard to choose only one because my favorite pictures often change. I will choose the most recent picture of the Amusement Park. I like the colorful rainbow and the bright natural light in the picture. 😀
The Halloween photos were the most challenging, even difficult ones because it was difficult to express the dark places nicely. A successful picture after several failed attempts to “take a pretty picture in a dark place” several times. Since that success, I have been able to take pictures confidently in any dark place.
What is your favourite season for taking photos?
No matter whether I take pictures or not, I prefer autumn because the sky is usually blue and the sunlight is soft. I also like warm winters for the same reason.
I do not like spring very much since the sky is often unsightly because of yellow dust and fine dust. However, since I usually shoot inside the studio, it does not really matter what season it is.
What cameras and lenses do you use to photograph the dolls?
I use a Sony A7M3 camera and a Tamron 28-75 lens.
I asked my friend to recommend some high-quality zoom lenses to me because I did not like the heavy ones, and he suggested that I try this combination. I am satisfied with the current gear, so I am not planning to upgrade it yet.
What would you recommend to someone who is considering starting to collect dolls and take photos of them? What camera and equipment would you recommend starting with?
It does not matter what equipment you start taking pictures with, although, if there is no budget limit, it is better to buy the best equipment you can. 🙂
It would be nice to prepare a zoom lens so that you can see various angles of view of the picture. I would also recommend you to buy photography lighting so that you can always shoot brightly anywhere.
What do you consider the most important doll photography achievement you have ever accomplished?
It has not been long since I started using the camera so I do not think there are any results yet. Can it be said that receiving suggestions for photoshoots from various shops and companies is also a form of an achievement…? 😀
Is there any upcoming doll project you are going to surprise us with?
I have been taking photos of the Brand Girl Series recently. It is a series of styling according to the brand image and depicting dolls like photoshoots.
I am going to continue with it in the future!
What other hobbies do you have besides doll photography?
I mostly enjoy Nintendo Switch and PC games.
What is your favourite anime and anime character?
I like all the cute characters. 🙂 The most recent anime I have watched and liked is Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear.
Animefest 2022
