by FelipeWatanabe
An interview with the great Sao Paulo based photographer, Felipe Watanabe and a selection of his fantastic pictures, enjoy it!
Know more about his work at instagram.com/felipe.watanabe
In a few words, tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m a 26-year-old, currently living in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Usually an introspective person, I love taking time for my personal development, but I also enjoy meeting new people and having deep meaningful conversations.
How long have you been a photographer?
It’s been a little over 10 years since I started experimenting with photography.
How did you discover photography?
My high school went on strike for a couple of months in 2005. During that time, I started reading about photography on the Internet and taking pictures using an old digital camera we had laying around at home, a Sony P32. Taking part on some photography forums and communities, people started noticing and enjoying my work, and that only made me even more interested about photography. Within some months I bought a new camera, and in the next year my first DSLR. During my college years and a couple of years afterwards I was hold back from taking pictures, but, last year, my interest for portrait photography grew a lot, and that’s where I’m at today.
How was your first shooting? What did you shoot?
I’ve had many fields of interest in photography throughout the years, so I’d say I had many first shootings. Specifically in portrait and sexy photography, I consider it was the day I photographed a dear friend of mine, Larah. We stayed awake until late that night and then woke up by 5am or so to take pictures during the sunrise at the college I graduated from. It was a calm Sunday, no one was around to bother, and it ended up being a very fun photoshoot. She’s also the one who left, at my place, the mask I use in many of my pictures - kind of a signature of mine by now. Now there’s no other option for me, besides keeping it, sorry Larah!
How would you describe your style?
I often hear that my pictures are natural and delicate. During the photoshoots, I like to let the models very free so they can express themselves. Many times I feel merely a spectator with the benefit of having an instrument to capture and share those moments.
What does photography mean to you?
I’ve always had a fixation with memories. If I close my eyes and try hard enough, I can bring up many of the incredible moments I’ve lived. In that way, photography in general is a tool for me to capture even more of the moments I love.
What inspires you?
Right now, getting to know incredible people I admire and having the chance to spend a day with them creating something together.
What would you like to photograph?
Hopefully, I’ll soon take the time to travel without a ticket back home and photograph plenty of places and people around the world. My backpacking trip to the deserts of Chile and Bolivia (https://stampsy.com/user/16454/latest/10125) was very eye opening and incredibly inspiring.
A photographer you particularly admire?
I don’t keep many names, but from the top of my head I’d mention Théo Gosselin, Mark Harless, João Guedes and Fernando Schlaepfer.
What is happiness?
It’s definitely in the simplest moments. Those that might last only a few seconds, yet be forever remembered dearly.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I could go travelling for years, but the city I was born and live in will always be my home: Sao Paulo, Brazil.
What’s your next goal?
Finishing my master’s degree and having my work as part of an exhibit somewhere.