Moments Of Connection: My 10 Heartwarming Animal Photographs

The trigger for me to start photographing was not initially animal photography, but rather landscape photography. I didn't have much interest in animal photography at all. I live in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, where there is Maruyama Zoo. In the 2010s, the facilities of Maruyama Zoo were renewed, allowing visitors to see and observe animals in environments closer to their natural habitats. Upon hearing this news, I casually visited the zoo.

What caught my eye there was a polar bear mother and cub. Hokkaido is cold in winter with snowfall, similar to the environment where polar bears live, and I found myself captivated by the polar bear family. Honestly, I didn't have high expectations for the zoo visit, but at that moment, I found myself enjoying it and becoming engrossed in photography.

Both landscape and animal photography share the essence of capturing fleeting moments - once missed, they cannot be revisited. Whether it's landscapes or animals, merely being there allows you to observe, but not necessarily capture. Understanding animal behavior and characteristics enables a certain degree of predictability in their actions. Sometimes animals behave as expected, while other times, they surprise us with unexpected behaviors.

However, it's within these unexpected behaviors that we often find the most remarkable photographic opportunities. Recognizing and seizing these moments amidst unpredictability requires unwavering focus and concentration. This is where the challenge lies.

What I find particularly fascinating is when animals exhibit gestures, actions, or expressions that seem to resonate with my intentions. It's as if they understand my thoughts, which occasionally leads me to wonder if they've somehow sensed my presence or intentions. These moments evoke a sense of connection between myself and the animals I photograph.

In summary, the ability to anticipate and capture unexpected yet compelling moments, while maintaining a deep focus and connection, is what I consider to be the most challenging aspect of my work.

Merely chasing animals aimlessly and capturing them versus envisioning the circumstances and environment beforehand for photography makes a significant difference. I don't believe I possess any special skills; there are many people in the world with skills surpassing mine. Photography is simply something I love doing, so I don't feel it requires any extraordinary effort. However, what I do find beneficial is immersing myself in a wide array of inspiring photography and artworks from around the world, including portraits, landscapes, street scenes, and more. It's both stimulating and enriching, amplifying the imagery I hold in my mind.

I would be delighted if I could share the emotions I felt during the time of capture through my photographs. Of course, how viewers interpret those emotions is entirely up to them.

Personally, I believe that the relationships and bonds between animals are fundamentally no different from those between humans. Unfortunately, in today's world, there are many instances that may lead one to believe that human relationships and bonds are inferior to those among animals. There are lessons to be learned from the pure-hearted animals about living life.

I have a desire to photograph animal portraits in zoos and aquariums across Japan and around the world. Each zoo and aquarium has its own differences and unique features, not to mention the many animals I have yet to encounter. Additionally, I would like to introduce each zoo and aquarium along with capturing animal portraits, not limited to just photographing animals. If my work is well-received and gains popularity and support from many people, I would like to share insights into animal portrait photography at zoos. Of course, this depends on whether such demand exists. After all, photography is enjoyable, and I want to share the joy of capturing images. Creating images by imagining them in my mind and bringing them to life through photography is perhaps the most enjoyable aspect, regardless of the subject.