日本攝影師川島小鳥曾與箕浦健太郎出版插畫攝影集《明星》，概念來自「台灣裡每個人都像明星」，以最貼近當地人生活的方式記錄在台灣遇上的人和事。「川島小鳥是一個我很喜歡的攝影師，每次看到他拍的照片時，也激發了我不同的想像。若我拍下來的照片能讓觀眾感受到各種情緒是一件很美好的事。」岡田真由美（Tommy）說。
生活在日本北海道的岡田真由美是一位網頁設計師，也是一位攝影師，擅長拍攝人物。她拍下的都是日常裡的瞬間，孩子起床時亂翹的頭髮、耍樂時歡樂笑聲、吃東西時的滋味滿足，全都透過鏡頭捕捉下來，如實地呈現孩子們的表情和動態，照片呈現溫柔細膩，又帶點幽默的喜感。也許，每一個孩子都擁有做大明星的料子，在平凡生活裡，活得閃閃發亮。別忘了，所有的大人也曾經是孩子。
OB：OBSCURA
T：Tommy
OB：你在什麼時候喜歡上攝影？
T：大概8年前開始攝影，契機是小孩的出生。孩子們很可愛，我不禁為他們拍了許多照片。後來我越拍越多，並學習怎樣能夠拍得更好一點。我的職業是網頁設計，只好減少睡眠時間來做不同的工作。
OB：你平常喜歡使用哪一款相機？
T：我最慣常使用的相機是Nikon F100。我喜歡菲林相機拍出來的懷舊氣氛，但由於我的視力不好，不能以人手對焦，加上自動對焦對於瞬間的面部表情和小孩的動態拍攝很有幫助，所以這款相機很適合我。
OB：當你拍攝時，什麼是最重要的？
T：對事物的感知比攝影技術更為重要，就算是看同一樣東西，有些人會選擇按下快門，有些人則不會。對於一些事物、景色和情緒轉變等，我會保持敏感。當然，「想把這瞬間保存下來」的想法也是很重要的。
我經常隨身攜帶著相機，那麼我便可以隨心地拍照了。但我沒有固定想要的拍攝方向，我比較趨向寫實地呈現事物本身，只要細心留意四周便可以了。
OB：攝影對你來說有什麼意義？
T：這是一個你想記住一些東西，使它們不被遺忘的方法。世上沒有東西是長久不變的，一些你不想改變或不想失去的東西，最終也會消失。相片可以把片刻留住，並可以隨時回首過去。
OB：自從接觸攝影以來，有沒有最喜歡的照片？
T：所有我拍下來的相片都是我的珍藏，唯一是一張爸爸抱著出生不久的孩子的相片是我至今最喜歡的。孩子日復日地長大，父親也是日復日地老去。每一個時刻都是深刻的，因為我不能再拍下一樣的瞬間。大部分我拍的對象都是我的家人和身邊的事物，這是因為我想保護我的日常生活，所以我經常拍攝圍繞我周遭的事物。當孩子長大後，他們可以看到他們成長時的模樣。
OB：可以談談你的兩位小孩嗎？孩子總是難以捉摸，如何捕捉他們有趣的一瞬呢？
T：我只是把相機放在身邊，隨時隨地拍下身邊的事物，平凡的房子、平凡的孩子，如常的聊天、上學、玩樂，以及生活日常。我想純粹地按下快門，就算房子很亂，我也會保留它原有的樣子。多年後看回這些照片，仍能記起那些真實與場景。孩子們對我的照片不感興趣，但我會嘗試告訴他們我拍孩子的原因，是因為「我愛你們」。如果別人能從我的相片中看到愛，我會感到很高興呢。
OB：可以談談「鏡の中の親子写真」系列嗎？
T：自從我為孩子拍照，我發現我並沒有為自己拍下任何照片。我自己很喜歡看回我兒時的照片，看看年輕時候的媽媽，所以我開始拍「鏡の中の親子写真」的相片，希望能留下我自己的照片給孩子。對未來的孩子來說，一張與媽媽的合照能成為一份禮物。如果一天我離開了，我希望你能看到照片，然後想起我。
OB：攝影有沒有為你帶來什麼轉變？
T：自從我開始攝影，我發現了一些從未留意的美麗事物，我也能看到一些從前不去看的東西。
OB：接下來，有沒有想做或是希望達成的事情？
T：我希望有天能出版一本書。
Meijo (star), is a collection of collaborative work by Japanese photographer Kotori Kawashima and painter Kentaro Minoura. It sprouted from the idea that “everyone in Taiwan is like a star” and as such records the people and moments of Taiwan in a way that is closest to the life of the locals. “Kotori Kawashima is a photographer whom I admire a lot. I get inspired every time I look at his work. It’s such a beautiful thing if I can take pictures that allow the viewers to experience the various emotions out there,” said Mayumi Okada, a.k.a. Tommy.
A resident of Hokkaido, Japan, Okada is a web designer and also a photographer who specializes in portraits. Her work captures the moments of everyday life—Children waking up with messy hair, having fun playing, enjoying their food. Through her lens, we are able to get a sense of the child’s genuine emotions. Her work is gentle, delicate, and with a sense of humor making it obvious that every child has the potential to be a star and live life brightly. After all, every adult used to be a kid.
OB: When did you fall in love with photography?
T: It started about eight years ago when the kids came into my life. They were just so cute that I had to take tons of pictures of them. As time went by, I dived deeper into photography and wanted to refine my skill. To do that, I had to cut down on my sleep because I have a full time job as a web designer.
OB: Which camera do you often use?
T: I usually use my Nikon F100. I like the nostalgic vibe that comes with film. Since I have poor eyesight, I need the autofocus function, which is also great for capturing the very moment when an emotion or action is expressed by my kids. I think the F100 is perfect for me.
OB: What’s most important to you when taking photos?
T: Perception of things is more important than photography skills; even if looking at the same thing, some people will press the shutter and take a picture, while some won’t. I am sensitive to changes in things, scenery, and mood. Of course, the idea of “I want to capture this moment” is also very important to me.
I always carry a camera with me so I can take pictures anytime I want. Yet I don’t really have a rigid theme or direction; I do pay attention to the surroundings, because I tend to present things as they are in real life.
OB: What does photography mean to you?
T: Photography is a way for me to remember things so that they won’t be forgotten. Nothing in the world lasts forever, and things that you don’t want to change or lose will eventually disappear. Photos can capture the moment and let you look back at any time.
OB: Do you have a favorite photo since you got into photography?
T: All the photos I’ve taken are my treasures; but this particular photo of my father holding my newborn child is my favorite. As my kids get bigger and bigger, my father also grows older day after day. Every moment is profound because I can never capture that very same moment again. Most of the subjects of my photos are my family and the things around me; it is because I want to protect my everyday life. When my kids grow up, they can see what they were like when they were young.
OB: Can you talk about your two children? It’s so difficult to tell what kids are thinking. How do you manage to capture their funny moments?
T: I just simply keep the camera by my side and take pictures anytime and anywhere. The ordinary houses, children chatting, going to school, and having fun, and also just everyday life. I try to keep things simple and just press the shutter. Even if the house is messy, I want to capture the way it is. Hopefully when I look at these photos years later, I might still be able to recall those moments and scenes. The kids aren’t interested in my pictures, but I always try to tell them that the reason I take pictures of them is because “I love you.” I would be happy if others could see the love in my photos.
OB: Can you talk about the series, “Family portrait in the mirror”?
T: I realized that, ever since I started taking pictures of my kids, I stopped taking pictures of myself. I like to look at my childhood photos and see my mother when she was young. This is why I started the series, hoping that I could leave my own photos to my children. A photo of me with them as a gift. If I leave the world one day, I hope that they can look at the photo and think of me.
OB: Has photography changed you in any way?
T: Since I started taking pictures, I have discovered a lot of beautiful things that I never noticed before. I also get to look at things that I never paid attention to before.
OB: Is there anything you want to do or hope to achieve?
T: I would like to publish a book someday.
