Shigeyoshi Takebe, Photographer
ー Works ー
His work is characterized with a powerful style that captures lively moments in a unique composition. He is very good at capturing natural expressions and movements utilizing a natural beautiful light. Especially in wedding photography, he pursues American "cool, fashionable and elegant" style rather than cute photos using props and funny poses. He is always focusing on creating stylish photos that expresses “happiness” with a natural smile, gesture and movement. Because of his unique style, he has been gaining popularity as a leading Japanese photographer in Los Angeles, and now there are so many offers from not only Japanese couples visiting Los Angeles for honeymoon but also famous wedding companies.
ー Personality ー
He is very gentle and friendly. His shooting is always going on under the the warm atmosphere, which makes the couple relaxed and comfortable even though they meet him for the first time on the day. Their nervousness and stress is gone somewhere without knowing in a couple of minutes after they meet. “Thank you very much for taking our photos. This is one of the most memorable photo shootings we have ever had. Our choice was right. Shige, you are an awesome photographer” is the words that most of his customer say to him after shooting.
He has been in Los Angeles for 18 years and speaks fluent English, which means there is no language barrier between the people from the world and him. He visits Japan twice a year, spring and fall, for photo events. In spring, he holds Pre-wedding/ Engagement photo event with a beautiful background of cherry blossom and in fall holds those events with amazing red leaves, Momiji or Koyo as well. These events have brought him more and more foreign tourists visiting Japan who want to shoot their vacation-like engagement photo.
＜EDUCATION＞
2002 – 2004
Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA USA
Certificate in Photography
http://occphoto.com
www.orangecoastcollege.edu
1990 – 1995
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Tokyo Japan
B.A. Major - Chinese Studies and Language
www.tufs.ac.jp
www.tufs.ac.jp/english
＜EXPERIENCE＞
Oct. 2013 – Present
• Freelance Photographer
Feb. 2008 – Sep. 2013
Lighthouse Magazine (www.us-lighthouse.com)
• Worked as Deputy Chief Editor for Los Angeles Edition
and Chief Editor for San Diego Edition.
• Worked as a Chief Editor for JAPAN AIRLINE’s in-flight magazine “LINDBERGH”
• Reporter, writer and editor on a wide variety of subjects and stories.
• Responsible for advertisements.
• Photographer-in-charge for providing pictures for all articles.
• Frequently responsible for organizing public events for the company.
June. 2005 – Present
Wedding photographer
May. 2005 – Jan.2008
Magazine Bridge U.S.A. (www.bridgeusa.com)
• Responsibilities were similar as Lighthouse Magazine.
• Reporter, writer and editor on a wide variety of subjects and stories.
• Responsible for advertisements.
• Photographer-in-charge for providing pictures for all articles.
• Occasionally responsible for organizing public events for the company.
Feb. 1998 - May 2002
Ichida Inc. (www.ichidajuku.co.jp)
• Taught Japanese and English to junior high school students.
• Student counselor specializing in academic counseling.
1996 – 1998
Image Forum and Daguerrea Press (www.imageforum.co.jp)
• Designed movie pamphlets and press release documents.
• Worked as a reporter for film reviews.
• Responsible for creating Japanese subtitles for English films.
• Responsible for the sales of books and videos specializing in art and documentary films.
1995-1996
Fuji Bank
www.mizuhobank.co.jp
Contact Form