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MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 74 33MOSTMAGAZINEQ: What inspires you the most when creating a new series of photographs? Are there specific elements, like lighting, textures, or emotions, that you prioritize?A: Everything must come together. Light is a brush with which we paint shadows. Textures must be highlighted while preserving emotion. I believe this coherence is what makes the difference between a model simply wearing a garment and a true fashion photograph.Q: Your shoots are known to be uplifting and empowering experiences for your clients. Can you walk us through what a typical session with you looks and feels like?A: This is a difficult question because every experience is unique. The essence of my shoots is, first and foremost, respect and a genuine appreciation for others. I focus on maintaining harmony within the team and ensuring that the model feels as comfortable as possible.For me, the overall atmosphere is just as important as the final result%u2014and one rarely exists without the other. When people feel valued and respected, they naturally become ambassadors for my work, sharing their experience with others. This isn%u2019t the goal, but rather a natural outcome. When you give to others, the universe finds a way to give back. Q: What do you find most challenging about working in the competitive world of fashion photography, and how do you overcome those challenges?A: I believe the biggest challenge today is maintaining a high level of self-discipline and artistic rigor. The overall standard is declining, influenced by social media and filters that often distort or degrade photography. This has led to a growing lack of depth and artistic research.The key is to remain demanding with oneself%u2014to never settle for the bare minimum but instead find ways to push each image further. I believe that%u2019s the true secret to standing out and maintaining artistic integrity. Q: You%u2019re known for blending luxury with purpose in your work. Can you share how you use your art to advocate for meaningful stories and causes?A: It happens quite naturally. During my research for the mood board and the series, I choose a theme that resonates with me%u2014very often, it%u2019s connected to current events or a societal issue I want to highlight. From there, everything falls into place.The mood board is the heart of every shoot; everything is built around it. So, in a way, blending luxury with purpose isn%u2019t something I force%u2014it%u2019s simply a natural part of my creative process. Q: For aspiring photographers looking to enter the world of fashion photography, what%u2019s the most important piece of advice you would give them?A: There%u2019s so much to say%u2026 I actually run workshops if you%u2019re interested! laughs But if I had to sum it up in one phrase: never give up.If you think a photographer%u2019s life is all about being at the top, making lots of money, and living comfortably, you%u2019re mistaken. Every photographer experiences ups and downs%u2014both financially and creatively. It%u2019s completely normal to have moments of success and moments of doubt.The most important thing is to keep going. Don%u2019t quit. If you hold on, there will always be a moment when things turn around, and step by step, you%u2019ll climb higher. Don%u2019t make excuses%u2014take responsibility for your failures. More importantly, don%u2019t see mistakes as failures but as opportunities to grow. In the end, it%u2019s all about mindset.Beyond that, never forget where you came from. No matter who we are or who we stand before, we all arrive in this world with nothing, and we leave the same way. Everything we believe we own is only lent to us for the time we are here. So let%u2019s never lose sight of what truly makes us human%u2014respect and love for others. If you stay true to this, success will come, inevitably, one step at a time.www.isshogaiphoto.comwww.instagram.com/isshogaiMOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 74 33