My photograph path in Japan

My name is Nicolas Wauters and the word that could describe me the best is « urban ». 
Originally from Brussels, I grew up in a constant moving city surrounded by modern architectures, crowded streets and the swarming of metropolis. This city forged my vision about the world and my relation with my surrounding.
 
My story doesn’t stop at Brussels where I was born in 1979. Having grown in the 80’s, Japan shared a big cultural influence on the teenagers with its video games, mangas, animated cartoons, high tech. Everything I was attracted in came from the country of the rising sun. As many teenagers of my generation, I spent many hours with my game console exploring virtual 
worlds and soaking myself up to this universe coming from abroad.
These hours spent behind my television awakened a real interest for Japan inside me. This mysterious country so far from Europe became a real fascination. For a long time seemed this country unreachable for me and could be seen only through my favourite pixels of my video games. However, the idea of treading the Japanese territory never left me.
 
My decisive travel : the discovering of Japan
I finally decided to take the plunge : I bought my « first » flight ticket to Tokyo. My goal was pretty simple : See through my eyes this city that made me dream that much. Sometimes, life can be full of surprises… A few weeks before my departure, I made an encounter that would change everything.
 
I have crossed the path of a Japanese in Brussels. What was supposed to be a flirt rapidly became a distance relationship followed by many travels between Europe and Asia.
 
Between 2008 and 2013 I had the chance to explore Japan many times discovering step by step a complex and fascinating country that I couldn’t have imagine.
I finally took the most important decision of my life in 2013 : Moving to Japan. This city that I just wanted to visit a few years ago became my daily life, playground, inspiration.
 
Entrepreneurship and the beginning as a photographer
A few months after my establishment grew a new idea in my mind : Creating a company specialised in the guidance of travellers in Japan. This country fascinates me so much that I wanted to share my experience of it. I was willing to help tourists to visit an authentic Japan far from the touristic « cliché » and beyond, change my passion to my job.
 
However, when I started my company with a start capital close to zero, I hurt myself to one main difficulty : Pictures to illustrate my website. At the time, I hadn’t enough money to buy some photos online or to hire a professional photographer. The solution has emerged from itself : I had to start photography to take photos by myself that rapidly became my most important passion where I truly dedicate myself the most.
 
Without knowing it has this urged changed my life. 
 
From necessity to passion
By taking my first photos I understood that photography was more than a simple work tool : It was a new way to explore and express myself. I’ve always been interested in technology and 
I wanted to plunge myself fully into this new universe. Trying to master the technique, understand the lights, experimenting with compositions.
 
I already made an important choice at my arrival in Tokyo : stopping video games to focus myself on new challenges as the learning of the Japanese language, entrepreneurship, photography. What initially was supposed to be a necessity changed into a hobby to change one more time in a truly passion. Thanks to my camera I could explore Japan on a new way and observe what surrounded me with a different vision.
 
A unique looking of Japan
Japan is my main photograph topic and is sufficient to explore many unique style. This country offers an incredible diversity of landscapes such as Urban, rural, modern / traditional architectures and so much more.
 
My approach is marked by the urban aspirations. I love to capture structures we encounter in daily life without paying attention : subway, Highway interchanges, pedestrians walkways,… Behind this facilities hides some masterpieces of engineering and architectures most of the time signed by famous artists.
 
Photography is also a way to discover Japan on a deeper way. Through my lens, I’m going to discover natural landscapes, majestic waterfalls, temples and shrines attached to a huge historic background. Every photo is an invitation to travel, an open window on a plural Japan, oscillating between modernity and traditions.
 
Take distance from the touristic cliché 
Nowadays, have social medias millions of photos about Japan. However, most of them look like each other : must-see places, geishas, sumos, sakura,… So many iconic features that don’t reflect the tiny ressources Japan has to offer. 
 
My goal is to get out of this cliché and offer a personal and authentic vision. Furthermore, most of the Japanese citizens don’t like to be taken on photo without knowing it and I respect that. Instead of taking photos of streets full of strangers faces on it, I prefer to focus myself on the spirit of the places, their architectures, atmosphere and contrasts.
 
A gallery fully dedicated to Japan
On this website you’ll find a wide range of galleries covering many aspects of Japan :

• Urban scapes, Showing up the energy of big cities

• Rural scapes, unveiling a quite and authentic Japan

• Temples and Shrines, witnesses of Japanese spirituality

• Modern and traditional architectures, where past and future come together

• And so much more …

Each photo follow one guided line, no matter its topic : Japan and Japan only.
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Recognition and prestigious partnerships
Since my beginning in photography, this passion has opened me unexpected doors. I have had the opportunity to work with many prestigious companies, publish a photo book, and win several awards that have consolidated my legitimacy as a professional photographer.
 
These experiences led me refine my style, discover new techniques and deepen my vision about Japan even more. Today, I continue to travel across the country with the same idea to share unique and authentic photos.
 
Photography, a passion for discovery
Photography is more than just a way to shoot some photos : It’s a tool for exploring, storytelling and emotions. I hope to make you travel, discover a different Japan, unexpected and fascinating country through my work. 
 
You can be a Japan lover, photograph amateur of simply curious, I hope my photos can awaken this will to discover this country on a different way.
Welcome to my world and have a good discovering of Japan through my eyes.
 
And by the same make my passion my profession...