K A T E B E R R Y

MADE THE COVER! Tibet for @voyagevoyagemagazine No. 19, the Four Elements, available now for preorder or purchase ‘en kiosque’ 19th March. ♾️♾️♾️ gratitude to @evanehb and @fabienguyon for selecting me for this very special shoot and choosing my favourite image for the cover. I will never forget that experience and the cover means so much to me ❤️

A fleeting moment like a dream, like a journey spent together when British photographer @katebe_ came to stay at our home. I truly love the first photo. When I saw this picture, I felt like the first chapter of the story we lived in this house had come to an end. We moved to Akashi after the house was completed in 2023, people started gradually knowing about this house and us. About a year ago, people from all over the world began visiting. Kate, who emailed wanting to take photos, was one of them. 2 scorching midsummer days at the end of July. Between swimming at the beach and visiting the neighborhood Sento, her petite frame moved with light steps, capturing one shot after another. The house captured in the photos sent later seemed to exist in a world apart from the one we knew, playing with the shifting light and shadow. Then, just 3 days after Kate left, a sign went up announcing development on the large plot of land in front of our house. That meant our view of the sea from our house would be lost. In this house’s second chapter, major changes await us. We hope you’ll continue to support us, this house, and our studio. イギリスの写真家 Kate Berry @katebe_ と我が家で過ごした旅の中のような、夢の中のような束の間の時間。 １枚目の写真が本当に好き。この写真を見た時、この家と共に歩んだ物語の第一章が終わったような気がした。 2023年にこの家が完成し明石に引っ越してきて、少しずつこの家と私たちのことが知られるようになり、1年くらい前から世界中のたくさんの人が訪ねてきてくるようになった。写真を撮りたいとメールをくれ、私たちのところを訪ねてきたKateもそうだ。 ７月終わりの焦げるような真夏の２日間。ビーチで泳いだり、近所の銭湯に行ったり、その合間合間で小柄な彼女は軽やかな足取りで次々にシャッターを切った。後日送られてきた写真に写る私たちの家は、いつも見ている世界とはまた別の世界にあるように、光と影の移ろいと戯れていた。 そしてKateが去ったその3日後、家の前の大きな土地が開発されるというお知らせ看板が立った。それは即ち、私たちの家から海への眺望が失われるということを意味する。 この家との第二章では、大きな変革が待ち受けている。これからも私たちとこの家と、事務所のことを、どうぞよろしくお願いします。 #japanesearchitecture #renovation

I often think the most special homes are those which are shared and take on the energy of the people who pass through and bring them to life. And maybe great design is that which facilitates this exchange. A beautiful Japanese inspired property at the end of the road with unobstructed views of Hanalei bay, Bea’s house invites you to truly live in it: a kitchen to be cooked in, a reading/ projector/ music room to read/ watch/ listen in, a hot tub to share a wine and a deep conversation in, a shower and tub to linger in. I can probably count on one hand properties I’ve been emotional about leaving (also because Kaua’i is paradise) and this was one of them. My favourite moment was day transitioning into night, switching on the lights, playing something soulful and settling in for the evening. Thank you so much @beatricefaverjon for trusting me to capture it and for your talent and eye.

When Jenna left her role as Pastry Chef at @gjustabakery to set up her own business, I popped over one afternoon for a little shoot to help her build her website for her new company @baked_on_rose . Jenna and I have been through it all together: heartaches, laughter, adventures, Venice Beach sunsets, many cakes, many beers and many many stories (ask us about Billy Zane 🤣) so it seems perfectly fitting that the first image is currently gracing bus stops in London advertising almond milk for @rudehealth (thanks to my licensing agency @kintzing_licensing_ ). There’s been some light retouch on the tattoos i notice because we couldn’t track down ‘Big Island Mike’ to get his approval on the artwork even though he’s 100% on island time and couldn’t give a f**k. Jenna said she wants to be on the actual bus next time and personally I’m not stopping til we’re on a billboard on Piccadilly Circus but all jokes aside, this means a lot to me as my first OOH ad and I’m glad Jenna’s beautiful face is getting some airtime. If anyone sees it and can grab a photo for me I’d really appreciate it. We’ll be reunited in August in LA and available for shoots just sayin’ and if someone can convince her to start making granola again it’d be worth it for all of us 😋🤙🥣🥛

“When we meet again, I’ll come get you”. ‘Dotok Days’ by Sari Shibata at Asphodel gallery, part of @kyotographie 2026. Shot on iPhone because the light was right and I didn’t have my proper camera with me. Amazing space ⚪️

Post No Bills Before I post the real work, some moments of Joy during my second trip to India in two months. Somehow video does it more justice. The music is Eritrean not Indian, it was sampled in what is possibly my favourite track of all time: Madvillain’s ‘Figaro’ remixed by Madlib (the Stone’s Throw 101 mix) featured on Peanut Butter Wolf’s 10 years of Stone’s Throw compilation released in 2007. Nothing puts a spring in my step quite like hearing the beat drop and Doom’s vocals but you can only find and listen to the 2 minute gem on YouTube. I had the track running through my mind constantly in Mumbai because of the ubiquitous stenciled “post no bills” signs, but I think it reflects the juxtaposition of beauty, spirituality and grit I find so captivating yet complex in India (and in life). I hope my interest in this intersection comes across in my work, I think it’s why India will always remain such a great source of inspiration to me. Thank you @karahotelfortkochi @kayalislandretreat @design_hotels and to everyone I met 🧡

Atelier @tatsuyasu_watanabe , Fujiyoshida 🦌 Before I started my assignment I spent a night and morning in Fujiyoshida, a town I fell for on my first trip to Japan in 2023. The town is significant to me as I made the decision to leave LA there, over a South Indian lunch with my mate @clairevwalsh . It felt like full circle that I should be back there as a resident of Japan, on assignment for @condenasttraveller . Last time I stayed in the same little hotel @hostelsaruya , and actually I remember discovering Tatsuyasu-san’s scarves then but resisted buying one as I thought I belonged in a warm country. This time as the temperature dropped at night and i wrapped myself up in the cosy lambs’ wool shawl in my room, i was committed to purchasing. The next morning I looked up his work and seeing his atelier was close by and open on appointment, i asked the girl at the hotel if she would call him for me to see if I could visit. On the phone to him she asked me, are you an artist? Yes, a photographer, I replied. Ok, he can make time if you go now. I marched over with my cameras and on arrival didn’t know whether to take photos or shop first or ask questions, so I kind of did it all at the same time, whilst admiring every object in his beautiful little studio (and on-site workshop), which he had designed himself. Not only a textile designer, weaver and architect, but a talented photographer - his work was poetic and moved me viscerally. Both of us seemingly bashful in front of the camera, as I photographed him, he raised his camera to photograph me. I think we were both more comfortable this way. Photography was our shared language. I felt like every object on display had a story and this is also how I aspire to live and collect: I don’t have many possessions, especially not here in Japan, but those I do have I like to have meaning, be beautiful, occasionally made by a friend, have a tale behind them. My scarf is exactly that. I will treasure it and your photographs of Fuji, Tatsuyasu-san. ありがとう. Last slide photo by @tatsuyasu_watanabe . 🗻🧣

Exactly a week apart I was deep in Kerala backwaters then halfway up Mt. Fuji, I just wanna express gratitude for living the life I dreamed of🙏 @kayalislandretreat was an unexpected addition to my time in Fort Kochi, working with @karahotelfortkochi . I took a 2pm call with London then was whisked off, just a 50 minute drive and short boat ride away but another world. Someone in Kyoto recently commented that I have ‘chotto’ island vibe: quite astute I thought, considering they barely know me. If I can maintain clear, alive eyes, a bright smile and calm disposition like the people I met then cool: I’ll take island vibe. It takes me no time to slip into jungle mode: sticky skin, wavy hair, cold outdoor showers, eating fresh fish and tropical fruit, chasing a giant spider around the room with a cup (despite being fairly intrepid and a wannabe islander I still fear anything with more than 4 legs). I spent no more than 14 hours on this private island in Lake Vembanand as I had an early flight to Mumbai and just 2 and a half of daylight in which to capture it. I was ready at sunrise to start shooting again but my cameras took 30 minutes of my precious shoot time to adjust from air-conditioning to the extreme humidity, a rookie error on my part for not being prepared. The sweet Saiju walked me around the island before the rain at dusk started and brought with it the most incredible colour palette. I felt immediately welcomed by this small, communist community. He pointed out the local Ayurvedic hospital, ‘top-up shop’ and we enjoyed chai and Ela Ada- steamed rice stuffed with jaggery, coconut and cardamom wrapped in a banana leaf. It reminded me of a tamale. I was intrigued by the sound of ‘Toddy’, not the whiskey based hot version my family prepare at the first sign of a cold, but a palm sap beverage which becomes alcoholic as it ferments. Sounded like Mexican Pulque. Being drunk on a naturally alcoholic beverage is the best drunk of all, almost a spiritual high, so I was sad to miss out, but it gives me another reason to return. I could have sailed on the waters forever- nothing short of meditative. Much love for this incredible experience, Maneesha.

Tryna upsell me watermelon when I couldn’t even finish the papaya !!! 🍉

Took my sweet time making it over to Kawai Kanjirō’s yard but it was worth the wait. Today marks one year since I came to Kyoto, arriving from London via Hong Kong to Ichijōji, an area I knew nothing of, at midnight on a cold Sunday evening to start a new life. Although I make friends easily and adjust quickly to new environments, I can’t believe within just one year, after knowing no-one when I arrived, I built a whole community here (of yet again, predominantly, incredible women) and am now resident. And although I feel very inept at the language and certain customs and my immigration status will likely always remain tenuous, I feel wholeheartedly it was my destiny. I once read an interview with artist Fritz Haeg from @salmon_creek_farm who said that starting over keeps you young and humble. I agree. My life unknowingly has also been one of 7 year cycles: 7 years in London, 7 in LA and I am in a ‘7’ year in my life currently (age divisible by 7). Being born 7/7 (Tanabata festival here in Japan) adds to the significance of this number for me 💫 But back to Kawai-san. I was not prepared for the scale of the climbing kiln in his garden. Nor how inviting and comfortable the space is, encouraging you to sit, linger and be present with his belongings and the energy of the home. Grateful for what feels like not just 7 years, but a lifetime’s worth of inspiration (and friendships) here in Kyoto. Off to India! Back in a cpl weeks ✈️

Thank you for a wonderful stay @yoruya_kurashiki @yuya_oto @erisatakeda ~ magical from start to finish. Amazing food, wines, folk craft/ 民芸 (and hella masking tape??!) in this very cool little town and what a beautiful place to rest our heads. Thanks to my no. 1 partner in crime @yukaribb for being my assistant, model, translator, moral support, cultural guide and for always being down for one more wine, unecessary sake night caps and betsubara 🍑🍶🎏🫶 (song via @maccalaaa who has been soundtracking my life recently)

The most beautiful and photogenic @vague_kobe ~ a multifunctional exhibition/ retail/ café space in an incredible building in Kobe which also houses the @visvimwmv store (last slide). I spent around 40 minutes exploring and capturing every angle yesterday after lunch at the restaurant and en route to see friends in Akashi. A sister gallery can be found in Arles, France.