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WElcome

I am a musician photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Born in Japan to parents who were classical musicians, I grew up listening to classical music the way most people listen to pop. I'm always in awe of the gift musicians share with the rest of us, and I love documenting the magic they create.

I'm a mama of five grown kids, including a bassoonist, a flutist, and a percussionist, all three now playing in college. When I was young, I took lessons in piano, clarinet, and a little percussion, and I still play when I need to calm my mind.

I love turning one thing into another. I cook without a recipe (whatever comes out is usually still edible!) and ferment kefir and yogurt. The garden is my therapy, and I love watching tiny buds open into flowers. I'm handy with everything from knitting, crocheting, and embroidery to fixing the house. I love learning new things, and I'm happily bad at Mandarin, Italian, and Spanish on Duolingo.

Hi! I am Mika

Because the music they offer us amazes me. It often begins with curiosity and the joy of discovery the first time they touch an instrument. Then come years of practice, playing each passage until it feels right in their heart. Even as the daughter and mother of classical musicians, I've only seen a glimpse of what sits underneath their sound. Still, I've watched all that discipline and strength slowly become who they are.

I want to celebrate not only their artistry but also their dedication to music. Some of them will play for the rest of their lives. Some will simply love music forever. I want to honor all of it: the beauty, the hard work, and the person behind the music.

Senior year is a special year, a time of big transitions for many of them. In many households, it is also the last year their music fills the house. Whatever path they choose, I want them to carry something with them. Photos they can return to years from now. Their memories, woven together with their music. That is worth keeping.

WHY MUSICIANs?

MY VISION

Tell me about your musician. What they play, how long they’ve been playing, and who they are when the instrument is put away. I’d love to listen, and we can take it from there, one conversation at a time.