Meet Kentaro Yamada of The Uplifted

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kentaro Yamada.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Kentaro. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
For 12 years, I followed the all-too-typical full-time job life until one day in 2012, I suddenly got dismissed. Armed with a sense of adventure, I sought a whole new game plan: I started modeling, did translation & interpretation, became a marketing consultant, and assisted with a friend’s movie production, among many other projects.

At times, finding true purpose in life felt like a maze. One day, I picked up an inexpensive second-hand DSLR camera, and the rest was history. My goal was to capture the interminable beauty of this world. For the next few years, I challenged myself to capture cityscapes, nightscapes, landscapes, starscapes, micro-life, wedding, studio portraits, food, events, and even street photography.

In the course of time, I found my niche in capturing portraits and storytelling. Everybody wants to be heard and get recognized. But, how to make portraits livelier? More engaging? More uplifting? I immediately thought of trick-shots in ads and billboards. It was my turn to give it a shot. So, in the Summer of 2015, The Uplifted was born.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s extremely hard. Great art comes with sacrifice. If you have a gift, you have to work 10 times as hard as others because there is always someone better than you. First year and a half, I never slept because I was too excited for all the possibilities and opportunities that were lying ahead. People always say, “have a reason to wake up for” but I was like, “how about, have a reason to stay up all night.”

I had burnouts and I often lead unbalanced lifestyle. However, first and foremost, my project is fun and positive and I do it because I get inspired myself by all the people I collaborate with. Nothing about this is easy. Having a 9-5 job and rolling this 5-9 project meant to push myself always but I do it because I’m doing something good in this world. I’m leaving something.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Uplifted – what should we know?
It is a photography project which highlights joy, accomplishment and success through a collection of portraits of everyday leaders and visionaries with their most prized possessions magically levitated before their eyes. From doctors to a car repairer, chefs to poet, musicians to political leaders. I feature someone new weekly.

My ultimate goals are 1) to continuously contribute positivity to this world to counter the sad and angry to add values to life and 2) to ‘uplift’ amazing and inspiring people such as the Pope, the Dalai Lama, Obama, Queen Elizabeth, Elon Musk, Oprah and many to come from all over the world (seven continents).

It’s a long haul. The fact that nobody has done this before meant every step I take was an uncharted area with no guarantee of reward but I’m proud of myself for having proven that great things can be achieved if you are willing to live on the edge of uncertainty.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My parents – biggest supporters (of course)
Pedro Chira – copy editor/teammate
Dean Golemis – copy editor/mentor
Connie Kobayashi – supporter/teammate
Billy Jacob – client/teammate
Michelle Mekky – supporter/advocate

And many more friends not mentioned.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theUplifted.net
• Email: samaimaging@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.uplifted/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theuplifted1/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheUplifted

Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.