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HARAJUKU FASHION & NIGHTLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY: GOTHIC LOLITA JAPANESE GIRLS, FETISH PHOTOGRAPHERS AT TOKYO GOTH CYBER CLUBS.


fetish parties japan, shibari, Natatsuka KOUSUKE, HARAJUKU FASHION & NIGHTLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY: GOTHIC LOLITA JAPANESE GIRLS, FETISH PHOTOGRAPHERS AT TOKYO GOTH CYBER CLUBS, lolita fashion, pretty lolita models

Western party photographers (who shall remain nameless) tend to make me stick a finger down my throat. Not a fan of the devil-may-care attitude they have towards shooting club kids. But at Japanese Goth nights such as Midnight Mess, the photographers treat their craft with respect; like artisans, they take their time to adjust the lighting and poses until the composition is picture-perfect.

Exhibit A: Natatsuka Kousuke, who shoots portraits at every Midnight Mess. Incredibly, Kousuke makes PRINTS of the best shots, which you can pick up at the next event… for free! Talk about “art for art’s sake.”

On his website, Kousuke writes: “Photography and rock is my life.” He’s best known for his high-contrast Goth and Cyber portraits (can you recognize your favorite spooks above?). Kousuke is a genuinely friendly fellow who makes you feel comfortable in front of the lens. His curiosity extends to children’s faces, animals, flowers, and the sea (you can see more shots on his site).

pretty veil 1920s flapper, fetish parties japan, shibari, seventh sin, holger karas, HARAJUKU FASHION & NIGHTLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY: GOTHIC LOLITA JAPANESE GIRLS, FETISH PHOTOGRAPHERS AT TOKYO GOTH CYBER CLUBS, lolita fashion, pretty lolita models

Exhibit B: Seventh Sin photography, also a regular at Midnight Mess. German-born Holger Karas writes: “I do believe that everything is in the everlasting circle of Ouroboros and I do believe Bondage is fun. What else should I say?” He shoots ethereal portraits of Gothic Lolita girls (remember Gothloli of the Week Puck?). His favorite subjects include shibari, fetish and bondage, all done artfully and with a sense of joy.

Have you found any impressive club photography websites, Japanese or otherwise? Do you have a favorite photographer? Let me know in the comments; I’m always looking for new visual inspiration.

NYC update: Had a great time filming a cute sandwich demo for Penguin Books’ new web TV series. Cute Yummy Time will be featured in the very first episode! The NHK Japan documentary shoot is also going well, although there is so much prep work… Still, I had time to do some Lower East Side shopping and eating (you can follow my updates on Twitter). If you’re far from any shopping mecca, check out Jlist’s new bento, kawaii and Japanese fashion items — a bunch of new products have just been listed.

Song of the Day #280: BLOOD – Lost Sky (You’ll often see Prince Ken at Tokyo Goth parties! Find out more in my Japan club guide.)

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74 Comments

  1. Jen
    Posted January 9, 2010 at 9:33 pm | Permalink

    Neither of these are club photographers, but I really like their work. The first is Mallorie Nasrallah. It’s clear that she likes edgy alternative girls, and she has shown me that razor blades can be extremely erotic. The other is J. Corsentino. He combines photography and digital art by transforming people into faeries. One of his photos is currently my desktop background.

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:50 am | Permalink

      I love artists that combine photos with art… really great works!

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:50 am | Permalink

      I love artists that combine photos with art… really great works!

  2. Jen
    Posted January 9, 2010 at 9:33 pm | Permalink

    Neither of these are club photographers, but I really like their work. The first is Mallorie Nasrallah. It’s clear that she likes edgy alternative girls, and she has shown me that razor blades can be extremely erotic. The other is J. Corsentino. He combines photography and digital art by transforming people into faeries. One of his photos is currently my desktop background.

  3. Aki
    Posted January 9, 2010 at 11:07 pm | Permalink

    I love Greg WatermaNN and Ross Halfin. Collectively, they’ve photographed practically every band I love.

  4. Aki
    Posted January 9, 2010 at 11:07 pm | Permalink

    I love Greg WatermaNN and Ross Halfin. Collectively, they’ve photographed practically every band I love.

  5. Jo
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 1:04 am | Permalink

    Loved this post! Thank you Carmina for bringing Holger Karas into my life! I just got done looking through the galleries on the Seventh Sin website and they are amazing!! =^-^=

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:49 am | Permalink

      Oh I’m so glad! Holger is awesome — he joined me in one of the theme restaurants that we covered on Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World show!

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:49 am | Permalink

      Oh I’m so glad! Holger is awesome — he joined me in one of the theme restaurants that we covered on Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World show!

    • Seventh Sin
      Posted January 10, 2010 at 7:21 am | Permalink

      Hey Thank you, you can mail me if you want to explore the Inner Sanctum, thats not a problem

    • Seventh Sin
      Posted January 10, 2010 at 7:21 am | Permalink

      Hey Thank you, you can mail me if you want to explore the Inner Sanctum, thats not a problem

  6. Jo
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 1:04 am | Permalink

    Loved this post! Thank you Carmina for bringing Holger Karas into my life! I just got done looking through the galleries on the Seventh Sin website and they are amazing!! =^-^=

  7. Jen
    Posted January 9, 2010 at 9:33 pm | Permalink

    Neither of these are club photographers, but I really like their work. The first is Mallorie Nasrallah. It's clear that she likes edgy alternative girls, and she has shown me that razor blades can be extremely erotic. The other is J. Corsentino. He combines photography and digital art by transforming people into faeries. One of his photos is currently my desktop background.

  8. Ana
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:48 am | Permalink

    me like a lot (:

  9. Ana
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:48 am | Permalink

    me like a lot (:

  10. Merrinette
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:48 am | Permalink

    I like zemotion O_O
    http://ophelias-overdose.deviantart.com/ <–quite a lot of photographers for her work

  11. Merrinette
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:48 am | Permalink

    I like zemotion O_O
    http://ophelias-overdose.deviantart.com/ <–quite a lot of photographers for her work

  12. Aki
    Posted January 9, 2010 at 11:07 pm | Permalink

    I love Greg WatermaNN and Ross Halfin. Collectively, they've photographed practically every band I love.

  13. Jo
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 1:04 am | Permalink

    Loved this post! Thank you Carmina for bringing Holger Karas into my life! I just got done looking through the galleries on the Seventh Sin website and they are amazing!! =^-^=

  14. Anonymous
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 6:14 am | Permalink

    Aww. The Fashionate Traveller looks amazing! I love this post. I need to make it to Midnight Mess.

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 10, 2010 at 1:47 pm | Permalink

      You’d love Midnight Mess.. and the spooks would love you

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 10, 2010 at 1:47 pm | Permalink

      You’d love Midnight Mess.. and the spooks would love you

  15. Anonymous
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 6:14 am | Permalink

    Aww. The Fashionate Traveller looks amazing! I love this post. I need to make it to Midnight Mess.

  16. Seventh Sin
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 7:18 am | Permalink

    Unfortunately Seventh Sin had to leave Japan finally, so no more fabolous Midnight Mess he is now relocated to Braunschweig and Leipzig in Germany but still shooting
    Love Seventh Sin

  17. Seventh Sin
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 7:18 am | Permalink

    Unfortunately Seventh Sin had to leave Japan finally, so no more fabolous Midnight Mess he is now relocated to Braunschweig and Leipzig in Germany but still shooting
    Love Seventh Sin

  18. Ana
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:48 am | Permalink

    me like a lot (:

  19. Merrinette
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:48 am | Permalink

    I like zemotion O_O
    http://ophelias-overdose.deviantart.com/ <–quite a lot of photographers for her work

  20. lacarmina
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:49 am | Permalink

    Oh I'm so glad! Holger is awesome — he joined me in one of the theme restaurants that we covered on Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre World show!

  21. lacarmina
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:49 am | Permalink

    yay!

  22. lacarmina
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:50 am | Permalink

    I have to google these names!

  23. lacarmina
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:50 am | Permalink

    I love artists that combine photos with art… really great works!

  24. lacarmina
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 2:51 am | Permalink

    It sure is — she's my friend, and we went to some parties in Tokyo!
    The article is with my editor… I don't know when it's published, but probably soon

  25. siouxsielaw
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 6:14 am | Permalink

    Aww. The Fashionate Traveller looks amazing! I love this post. I need to make it to Midnight Mess.

  26. Seventh Sin
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 7:18 am | Permalink

    Unfortunately Seventh Sin had to leave Japan finally, so no more fabolous Midnight Mess he is now relocated to Braunschweig and Leipzig in Germany but still shooting
    Love Seventh Sin

  27. Seventh Sin
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 7:21 am | Permalink

    Hey Thank you, you can mail me if you want to explore the Inner Sanctum, thats not a problem

  28. trashtastika
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 3:27 pm | Permalink

    I also wanted to mention up and coming photographer Brendan Daniel. He did my Gothic Lolita teaparty shoot here http://bit.ly/5lUdCk

    An aussie who now lives in Japan, Brendan photographs for Askew magazine and worked with label Takuya Angel and Visual Kei band Exist Trace on shoots recently. http://www.flickr.com/photos/brendaniel

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:34 am | Permalink

      I remember seeing your teaparty pics and being impressed by the photo work! How cool.

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:34 am | Permalink

      I remember seeing your teaparty pics and being impressed by the photo work! How cool.

  29. trashtastika
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 3:36 pm | Permalink

    I also wanted to mention up and coming photographer Brendan Daniel. He’s a friend and did my Gothic Lolita teaparty shoot.
    http://thefashionatetraveller.blogspot.com/2009/12/gothic-lolita-cupcake-tea-party-just.html

    An aussie who now lives in Japan, Brendan photographs for Askew magazine and worked with label Takuya Angel and Visual Kei band Exist Trace on shoots recently. http://www.flickr.com/photos/brendaniel

  30. trashtastika
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 3:36 pm | Permalink

    I also wanted to mention up and coming photographer Brendan Daniel. He’s a friend and did my Gothic Lolita teaparty shoot.
    http://thefashionatetraveller.blogspot.com/2009/12/gothic-lolita-cupcake-tea-party-just.html

    An aussie who now lives in Japan, Brendan photographs for Askew magazine and worked with label Takuya Angel and Visual Kei band Exist Trace on shoots recently. http://www.flickr.com/photos/brendaniel

  31. lacarmina
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 1:47 pm | Permalink

    You'd love Midnight Mess.. and the spooks would love you

  32. trashtastika
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 3:27 pm | Permalink

    I also wanted to mention up and coming photographer Brendan Daniel. He did my Gothic Lolita teaparty shoot here http://bit.ly/5lUdCk

    An aussie who now lives in Japan, Brendan photographs for Askew magazine and worked with label Takuya Angel and Visual Kei band Exist Trace on shoots recently. http://www.flickr.com/photos/brendaniel

  33. trashtastika
    Posted January 10, 2010 at 3:36 pm | Permalink

    I also wanted to mention up and coming photographer Brendan Daniel. He's a friend and did my Gothic Lolita teaparty shoot.
    http://thefashionatetraveller.blogspot.com/2009

    An aussie who now lives in Japan, Brendan photographs for Askew magazine and worked with label Takuya Angel and Visual Kei band Exist Trace on shoots recently. http://www.flickr.com/photos/brendaniel

  34. All Women Stalker
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 12:09 am | Permalink

    I don’t really have a favorite photographer. But there’s this one blogger who has photographs that I really like: Mai Pages from http://www.maibitofearth.com. Her photos speak of beauty and serenity and joy.

  35. All Women Stalker
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 12:09 am | Permalink

    I don’t really have a favorite photographer. But there’s this one blogger who has photographs that I really like: Mai Pages from http://www.maibitofearth.com. Her photos speak of beauty and serenity and joy.

  36. Moon Maiden 90
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:31 am | Permalink

    I love you!

  37. Moon Maiden 90
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:31 am | Permalink

    I love you!

  38. Moon Maiden 90
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:31 am | Permalink

    *haha* I meant to write I love it! but It’s true I love you for finding such amazing things to show us all!

  39. Moon Maiden 90
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:31 am | Permalink

    *haha* I meant to write I love it! but It’s true I love you for finding such amazing things to show us all!

  40. All Women Stalker
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 12:09 am | Permalink

    I don't really have a favorite photographer. But there's this one blogger who has photographs that I really like: Mai Pages from http://www.maibitofearth.com. Her photos speak of beauty and serenity and joy.

  41. Moon Maiden 90
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:31 am | Permalink

    I love you!

  42. Moon Maiden 90
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:31 am | Permalink

    *haha* I meant to write I love it! but It's true I love you for finding such amazing things to show us all!

  43. lacarmina
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:32 am | Permalink

    Awwww! That is the cutest comment ever! <3 you!!

  44. lacarmina
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:33 am | Permalink

    I love the portraits! Thanks for sharing the link.

  45. lacarmina
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:34 am | Permalink

    I remember seeing your teaparty pics and being impressed by the photo work! How cool.

  46. Seiran
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 2:01 pm | Permalink

    Hehe I love these photos… oh and DO TELL who are these photographers who are being arseholes to you just because you have a different interest than them D:

  47. Seiran
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 2:01 pm | Permalink

    Hehe I love these photos… oh and DO TELL who are these photographers who are being arseholes to you just because you have a different interest than them D:

  48. LiTtLe_MiSs_PsYcHo
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:08 pm | Permalink

    these photos are amazing!

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 11, 2010 at 6:32 pm | Permalink

      They’re so talented!
      Hope you’re having a good 2010 so far.

  49. Seiran
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 2:01 pm | Permalink

    Hehe I love these photos… oh and DO TELL who are these photographers who are being arseholes to you just because you have a different interest than them D:

  50. LiTtLe_MiSs_PsYcHo
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 3:08 pm | Permalink

    these photos are amazing!

  51. lacarmina
    Posted January 11, 2010 at 6:32 pm | Permalink

    They're so talented!
    Hope you're having a good 2010 so far.

  52. inside out banana
    Posted January 12, 2010 at 4:00 am | Permalink

    wahh~ im soo jealous!! o(“>3>)o
    im more into making clothes and things for “models” to wear, then “creating mii own story through pictures” but i can never find any gewd models “-_-
    …and the gewd ones i find tend to be major flamin’ f8ckers so their waaay not worth it.
    and i cant get into club scenes and stuff like that cause im only 15! aww poor me haha
    but anyways, it just really gets to me when i see such great photography, and how inspirational it is, when i cant even create great works of art of mii own…
    in other words i love that i hate it, but hate that i love it…

    ahh! x(o~o)x sry to waste your time, m(u_u)m but i just had to say how important your blogs rly are! thanks for sharing them. theyre rly worth taking time out of the day to read!

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 12, 2010 at 4:04 am | Permalink

      Thank you lovely! This makes me happy to hear. :)
      I have photos coming right up of the Harajuku fashion show in DC that I think you’l love… xoxo

  53. inside out banana
    Posted January 12, 2010 at 4:00 am | Permalink

    wahh~ im soo jealous!! o(“>3>)o
    im more into making clothes and things for “models” to wear, then “creating mii own story through pictures” but i can never find any gewd models “-_-
    …and the gewd ones i find tend to be major flamin' f8ckers so their waaay not worth it.
    and i cant get into club scenes and stuff like that cause im only 15! aww poor me haha
    but anyways, it just really gets to me when i see such great photography, and how inspirational it is, when i cant even create great works of art of mii own…
    in other words i love that i hate it, but hate that i love it…

    ahh! x(o~o)x sry to waste your time, m(u_u)m but i just had to say how important your blogs rly are! thanks for sharing them. theyre rly worth taking time out of the day to read!

  54. lacarmina
    Posted January 12, 2010 at 4:04 am | Permalink

    Thank you lovely! This makes me happy to hear. :)
    I have photos coming right up of the Harajuku fashion show in DC that I think you'l love… xoxo

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