Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Emilio Dümar, I’m a fashion & travel photographer based out of Melbourne but usually travelling around! I was raised on the beaches of Noosa, Australia and love roaming around the world with my camera capturing special moments with friends both new and old. When I’m not travelling I’m either being a coffee snob in Melbourne or chasing 2ft surf in Noosa hah!

How would you describe your photography in three words?

Natural, Unscripted & Analog

What excited you most about shooting with CCV in Japan?

A difference in attitude! A breath of fresh air to shoot something less “staged” and “perfect” instead embracing spontaneity! 

Had you been to Japan before? If so, what keeps bringing you back?

First time! This has been on my bucketlist for a long longgg time, and i’ll be back again for sure

What were you hoping to capture before we even landed?

The heart of Tokyo city life, bustling streets & neon signs everywhere, i wanted to capture the rush!

On location

Was there one moment during the trip that stuck with you?

On a late night back to our stay in Kyoto, we were residing in the old precinct, taking the long way home through stone alley ways, we witnessed two Geishas finish their work from either end of the alley, upon passing each other they both bowed excessivley in a praise to each other then giggled smiling and carried on, they looked incredible. Not like the ones you see as you enter a tourist area in the day time, these Geishas were the real deal. Apparently its pretty rare to see one!

Which location surprised you the most?

The tiny bars stacked on top of each other in Shinjuku and Shibuya! each one had its own theme and only sat 4-5 people, such a cozy and special experience

⁠Did anything unexpected happen while shooting?

We thought we would be so annoying to everyone around us shooting at the Shibuya crossing, turns out each time the walking sign was on, 10 other tourists were doing the same thing hahah

Was there an image you knew you'd captured the moment you clicked the shutter?

Fujiko flicking her hair back to the camera crossing Shibuya, i was 2 stories up in the McDonalds overlooking, she really became her own character and rocked it!

What's something people don't see behind the scenes of a fashion shoot? 

Me steaming the clothes late at night and trying to get the perfect fold hahaha

The creative side

What do you look for before taking a photo? 

Shape & light, i look for a cornerstone in their environment that ads to the image, it may be a sign, a car, a shape, a block of colour, the sun or whatever!

Do you plan your shots, or do you let them happen naturally?

It’s somewhere inbetween, i find 2 pillars for the shoot to exist in, whether its an atmosphere, or tone, or subjects mood, then the rest flows naturally from there. For this shoot it was that spontaneous travel experience wandering the streets!

How does a place influence the way you photograph people?

Environment and culture of each place influences everything, shooting with Fujiko was one, where we were greeted with bows and returned the same, after this, together we broke down some of these barriers to create a very candid shoot experience

What do you hope someone feels when they looks at your images? 

I hope they feel as curious and explorative as i do when taking them !

Which image from this trip feels the most "you"? 

There this street side image i took of a home in Nozawa, it has these block colour windows that feel so playful, but countered by boarded up doors and chrome lights, its so simple and taken on my little point and shoot minolta, it’s even slightly out of focus, but i love it so much.

About Japan

Where was the best coffee? 

Hario in Kyoto! Tucked away in Gion (The cultural prefecture), their specialty coffee and process is an art, you’re watching scientists boil your coffee in glass tubes with torches!

A place everyone should visit at least once? Kurama to Kibune Pilgrim path! 

It’s a beautiful journey starting at a cute scenic railway from Kyoto to Kurama, then you take this gorgeous 1 hour buddhist passage over the hills, through temples to the Kibune river. Incredible views, old forrest and history.

Favourite meal? 

Following up from last, the noodles at Kibune! The town is famous for their specialty noodles and this one restaurant only did 2 dishes, made by one chef puffing ciggies, who was super nonchalant but made the best noodles I’ve ever had, well earnt after the hike. Also KURA Sushi in Shibuya! Thank you Fujiko for the reccomendation we went 3 times.

Something that surprised you about Japan. 

The incredible attention to detail and service, never had one average experience no matter where we were

One thing you packed that you couldn't have lived without. 

Thermals! and taking a plastic bag for your own rubbish haha

Quick fire

Sunrise or sunset?

Sunrise !

⁠Film or digital?

Film! Duh! Everything is better on film, except my wallet.

⁠Mountains or ocean?

OCEAN i need it for my sanity

Favourite Japanese convenience store snack?

Watsons fried chicken put between 2 butter pancakes, BUT only do 1, seconds will end you..

⁠Favourite train station?

Tough one! I actually loved Shibuya haha, everyone says it’s the worst, not sure why! but best train / railway line is the Eizan, easily! And best song goes to The NJ train, it’s climbing melody really tickles my ears, as for the Shinkansen, their song scares me !

Window seat or aisle?

Window! I’m constantly glued to watching the horizon and people outside

Three songs that remind you of the trip.

Stay with me, last summer whisper & Tokyo Reggae! Takanaka is my spirit being

One word that sums up Japan. 

Humble.

Preview the Sora Collection and read the story behind it.