How I turned a ardour for pictures right into a dream job in Myoko, Japan

Less than two years after my first-ever day on snow in New Zealand on the age of 23, I discovered myself in a dreamlike blur: working as a snowboard photographer in Japan. It was a wild detour from my company profession again residence in Melbourne, however one the place my ardour for pictures and the mountains lastly converged. Armed with my digital camera and a quiver of snowboards, I traded the workplace for the legendary Myoko powder, embarking on a really life-changing journey. In the method, I proved to myself that it was attainable to mix what could seem to be contradictory paths.

For years, I’d strived to strike a steadiness between a conventional profession path and my passions. My time in Myoko proved that seemingly opposing paths can truly complement one another. I hope this story conjures up you to pursue your personal steadiness, irrespective of how unlikely it could appear.

Image: yugenvisuals.com.au

My journey strapped to a board

Never noticed snow once I was youthful, so shifting to a tiny however beautiful city in New Zealand for a complete season was an enormous leap. My first two days snowboarding? Utterly humbling. I nearly give up, considering it wasn’t for me. But I caught with it. Once I let go of the worry, the stoke exploded, and now snowboarding consumes my ideas each day (generally hourly). That feeling – a combination of being deep within the mountains with mates, the move state, and pure adrenaline – is one thing I want everybody may expertise. By the top of the season, I’d certified as a snowboard teacher, able to share that pleasure with others.

My journey behind the lens

I took a niche yr (that became nearly two) between graduating college and beginning a ‘real’ job, the place I lived in and travelled by means of a few of the most stunning locations on the planet. Places the place it’s nearly inconceivable to take a foul photograph, together with the Dolomites, Himalayas and the Southern Alps of New Zealand. My snaps began getting a little bit of traction on-line. After a number of contract gigs, I made a decision to code my own website. I largely simply wished to share the sheer awe and marvel I felt in these unbelievable spots.

Image: yugenvisuals.com.au

How all of it got here collectively

Back from New Zealand, I used to be totally obsessive about snowboarding. My fancy workplace job felt much less thrilling once I was consistently watching snowboard edits, researching gear, and attempting to persuade my mates to hitch me within the mountains. The Japanese Alps, with their legendary powder, began calling my title – particularly after experiencing solely a pair powder days the entire New Zealand season.

Then, some cosmic alignment. A brilliant sort Aussie couple who’d simply purchased a lodge in Myoko requested if I’d be fascinated by caretaking it for the season. I owe them massive time; with out them, none of this might’ve occurred.

I then snagged a pair months of unpaid go away from work – this was too good to overlook. That’s when the lightbulb really flickered: why not mix my two greatest loves and check out working as a snowboard photographer? So, I whipped up some posters, polished my web site, and hit the health club for these essential leg days. Still, nothing really ready me for the epic 2024/25 Myoko season.

The magic of Myoko

Myoko really welcomed me with open arms – arriving in mid-December, with the legendary Japanese powder already puking down. An previous buddy helped me snag a tiny, however mighty, Suzuki kei automobile (I dubbed her Chihiro, a 4WD beast with winter tires that met no match all season). Being early season meant the same old crowds hadn’t descended but. I used to be genuinely blown away, scoring big powder days the place it felt like I had complete runs to myself and I couldn’t cease grinning. That’s when the ‘holy crap, this is peak life’ feeling really sank in. This feeling by no means acquired previous over the season, irrespective of what number of instances I repeated the identical tree runs or what number of ‘face shots’ that left me squealing like a child.

Image: yugenvisuals.com.au

Living in one of many snowiest locations on earth positively had its challenges – like unending automobile park clearing, a scarcity of sunshine, early nights and Japanese stink bug invasions. But actually, these pale compared to the enjoyment of watching the snowfall by a window and the sheer pleasure of anticipating one other epic powder day forward.

Myoko simply nails the right mix of all the pieces I like about Japan: conventional onsens, household owned Japanese eating places, vigorous nightlife, quick access to Tokyo, and, most significantly, world-class powder with out the crowds. Having briefly thought-about busier spots like Hakuba and Niseko, I’m satisfied Myoko provides an unparalleled, genuine Japanese expertise.

“I was genuinely blown away, scoring huge powder days where it felt like I had entire runs to myself and I couldn’t stop grinning. That’s when the ‘holy crap, this is peak life’ feeling truly sank in.”

Combining the powder and pixels

Being one of many solely photographers within the Myoko–Madarao area gave me a head begin, together with some (maybe overly) aggressive pricing — I nonetheless couldn’t fairly consider folks would pay me to shred alongside them and take photographs.

Image: yugenvisuals.com.au

Word-of-mouth unfold amongst native Aussie powder hounds, and instantly purchasers have been lining up. I additionally labored with a number of unbiased lodges, capturing for his or her visitors and creating promo supplies. A stroke of luck with a big actual property company, who contracted me to shoot quite a few lodges, actually fueled the enterprise. Soon I used to be turning down work, spending days capturing and nights buried in enhancing – even when family and friends visited. Paradise? In some ways, sure. But it was additionally a reminder that even dream gigs have their ups and downs, and that shared happiness with the folks you care about is what really issues.

But then, on these really magical days (of which there are lots of in Myoko) – like browsing by means of chest-deep powder on a guided tour the place you get to seize folks deep within the bushes – a profound sense of gratitude and achievement washed over me. It was a reminder that generally, all it takes is a few braveness to convey a imaginative and prescient to life.

Image: yugenvisuals.com.au

The reminiscences solid with mates, purchasers and locals, the candy photos I took again residence with me and that blessed Japanese powder are treasures I can’t wait to rediscover on future Japanese winters in magical Myoko.