If you are looking for a professional photographer in Kyoto, Jinn Yagi and LS STUDIO provide photography and visual production for companies, hotels, architects, brands, artists, and international clients throughout Japan.

Born and based in Kyoto, Jinn Yagi works across commercial photography, portraiture, architecture, hospitality, product photography, film, and contemporary art.

His approach combines a deep understanding of Kyoto with an international perspective shaped by years of studying and working across different cultures.

Meet Jinn Yagi – Photographer & Artist Based in Kyoto

Jinn Yagi is a Kyoto-born photographer, artist, and creative director.

He studied abroad in Canada before moving to the United Kingdom, where he completed postgraduate studies in Interactive Design & Media at Middlesex University in London, earning a Master of Arts degree.

After returning to Japan, he established his professional practice in Kyoto and is currently the representative and lead photographer of LS STUDIO, a creative studio specializing in photography, film, AI, and visual direction.

He is also a member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society (JPS).

His international background allows him to communicate and direct shoots in both Japanese and English, making LS STUDIO particularly suited to international productions and overseas clients working in Kyoto and Japan.

From Commercial Photographer to Contemporary Artist

One of the characteristics of Jinn Yagi’s photography is the connection between commercial photography and fine art.

As a professional photographer, he has worked across a wide range of fields including hotels, architecture, advertising, fashion, portraits, products, corporate communications, and VIP photography.

At the same time, Yagi has continued his practice as a contemporary artist for more than two decades.

His first solo exhibition was held in Kyoto in 2005, and his work has since been exhibited in Japan and internationally, including exhibitions in New York, Paris, South Korea, and other locations.

His artistic practice begins with photography but extends into sculpture, video, mixed media, and installation.

This experience influences his commercial work.

Rather than simply documenting what is in front of the camera, he considers light, space, composition, context, and the relationship between the subject and its surroundings.

A Photographer Who Understands Kyoto

Kyoto is an extraordinary place to photograph, but it is also a city that requires sensitivity.

Historic architecture exists beside contemporary buildings. Traditional craftsmanship continues alongside international hotels, restaurants, fashion, art, and modern businesses.

The quality of light changes dramatically between seasons.

A quiet street early in the morning can become completely different only a few hours later.

Traditional Japanese interiors may require very subtle control of natural and artificial light, while contemporary architecture may demand an entirely different photographic approach.

Being based in Kyoto provides an understanding of these details that can be particularly valuable when planning a professional photography project.

Commercial & Advertising Photography

For commercial photography, a beautiful photograph alone is not enough.

The image has a purpose.

It may need to introduce a company, sell a product, communicate the atmosphere of a hotel, strengthen a brand identity, or become the first image someone sees on a website.

Before shooting, we consider questions such as:

Who will see the photograph?

Where will it be used?

What should the audience understand or feel?

How does the photography fit into the overall brand?

LS STUDIO works with companies, advertising agencies, web production companies, designers, and creative teams to develop images around these objectives.

Hotel & Hospitality Photography in Kyoto

Kyoto has a unique hospitality culture, ranging from traditional ryokan and machiya townhouses to contemporary and international luxury hotels.

Jinn Yagi has experience photographing hospitality environments and working with international hotel guests and VIP clients.

Hotel photography may include:

• Architecture and interiors
• Guest rooms
• Restaurants and food
• Lifestyle photography
• Staff portraits
• Experiences and activities
• Details and amenities
• Surrounding destinations

Our goal is not simply to show what a hotel looks like.

We want the viewer to imagine what it might feel like to stay there.

Architecture & Interior Photography

Architecture is another important area of LS STUDIO’s work.

Kyoto offers a particularly interesting environment where historic Japanese architecture, contemporary design, renovated machiya, hotels, restaurants, shops, and private residences coexist.

We pay close attention to perspective, materials, natural light, artificial lighting, and the relationship between a building and its environment.

Our architectural photography is suitable for architects, developers, construction companies, hotels, interior designers, restaurants, and commercial facilities.

Portrait Photography in Kyoto

Jinn Yagi also specializes in portrait photography.

His subjects have included business leaders, artists, models, performers, creators, international guests, and VIPs.

A portrait should communicate more than appearance.

Expression, posture, environment, light, and even the space surrounding a person can tell us something about who they are.

Yagi’s experience as a contemporary artist has strongly influenced this approach to portraiture.

Instead of applying the same style to everyone, each portrait is considered individually.

An architect may be photographed inside a building they designed.

An artist may be photographed in their studio.

A company president may require a carefully controlled corporate portrait.

A craftsman may be photographed surrounded by the materials and tools that define their work.

The environment can become part of the portrait.

Product, Fashion & Brand Photography

Kyoto is home to traditional crafts, fashion, food, cosmetics, design products, and companies combining centuries-old techniques with contemporary ideas.

LS STUDIO provides both straightforward product photography and more conceptual brand imagery.

Depending on the project, we can work from an existing creative direction or collaborate with the client to develop the visual concept from the beginning.

Photography can also be combined with film and short-form video to create consistent visual content across websites, advertising, and social media.

English-Speaking Photographer in Kyoto

For international clients, communication can be just as important as photography.

Organizing a shoot overseas involves many details: schedules, locations, transportation, models, hair and makeup, equipment, creative direction, and cultural differences.

Jinn Yagi can communicate and direct photography projects in English.

His international education and experience working with overseas guests and clients allow LS STUDIO to act not only as a photographer, but also as a local creative partner in Kyoto.

This can be especially useful for overseas companies, hotels, agencies, magazines, architects, artists, and production teams coming to Japan for a limited period of time.

About LS STUDIO Kyoto

LS STUDIO is a Kyoto-based creative studio working across:

Photography / Film / AI / Visual Direction

Our photography covers commercial advertising, architecture, interiors, hotels, portraits, fashion, products, corporate photography, events, artists, and international productions.

Although based in Kyoto, we work throughout Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Shiga, Tokyo, and other areas of Japan, as well as on international projects.

Jinn Yagi – Profile

Jinn Yagi
Photographer / Artist / Creative Director
Born in Kyoto, Japan

Education
Middlesex University, London
MA in Interactive Design & Media

Professional Activities
Representative / Photographer, LS STUDIO
Member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society (JPS)
Photographer / Contemporary Artist
Film & Visual Production

Languages
Japanese / English

His artistic career began with his first solo exhibition in Kyoto in 2005. Since then, he has continued to develop work across photography, sculpture, video, and installation while simultaneously working as a professional commercial photographer.

This combination of art, photography, international experience, and knowledge of Kyoto forms the foundation of his approach today.

Looking for a Photographer in Kyoto?

Whether you are an international company planning a production in Japan, a hotel looking for new visual content, an architect documenting a completed project, or a brand developing a new campaign, LS STUDIO can provide photography and visual production tailored to your project.

We believe professional photography should do more than document.

It should communicate identity, atmosphere, experience, and value.

If you are looking for a photographer in Kyoto, Japan, please feel free to contact LS STUDIO to discuss your project.

LS STUDIO KYOTO
Photography / Film / AI / Visual Direction
Commercial / Hotel / Architecture / Interior / Portrait / Product / Fashion / VIP / International Production