MY STORY
Beauty in nature. Stories in people. Love in everyday life.
Thanks, Derrick.
Hi, I'm Ichika — a Japan-based photographer,
hair & makeup artist,
Phytotherapy practitioner,
and mum to a five-year-old daughter.
My career began in the world of architecture, and then I moved into the world of beauty.
Having suffered from atopic dermatitis as a child, I learned that by taking care of myself, I could also improve my mood.
My fascination with that power led me to choose the path of hair and makeup, which is where it all began for me.
And now, I only use organic cosmetics for my hair and makeup.
It's about carefully choosing what touches your skin and bringing out the natural beauty that each person possesses.
For me, phytotherapy, which incorporates the power of plants and nature into daily life, is an extension of that.
Having worked as a hair and makeup artist for many years, photography has also become one way for me to capture stories and important moments.
Through work and life, I have also had the opportunity to experience the world outside of Japan.
That experience has influenced the way I look at beauty and the everyday things in life.
Nowadays, things that previously seemed separate—photography, beauty, and nature—are becoming
Looking back, everything has led to my current work.
In our daily lives, we value creating small cycles where things and thoughts circulate based on choices that are kind to ourselves, others, and the planet.
WHAT I HOLD DEAR
The Private Day
We'll miss each other one day.
I will miss you someday.
Just another ordinary day.
Thanks, Derrick.
The little things I notice
I'm drawn to the little things.
My Photography Philosophy
I’m drawn to the little things.
The way a child reaches for their mother’s hand.
A father’s gentle smile as he watches his family.
Siblings laughing together without a care.
A passing glance, the touch of a hand, the morning light falling into a room.
The moments that seem ordinary today may become the ones we wish we could return to years from now.
Because having the people we love beside us can feel like a miracle.
That is why I want to preserve these small, fleeting moments, not only how they looked, but the warmth and memories held within them.
One day, when a child has grown and looks back at a photograph, or when a parent, many years from now, returns to that same image, I hope they see more than the little child in the frame.
I hope they remember the arms that held them, the eyes that watched over them, the laughter they once shared, and even the love that surrounded them before they were old enough to remember it.
Then, perhaps, that photograph becomes something irreplaceable.
That is what photography means to me.
Not simply something beautiful to look at, but a memory we can always return to.
Something that reminds us that we were loved.
And sometimes, a little light that gently illuminates the path ahead.
I don’t want to photograph only what is beautiful.
I want to preserve what will still matter many years from now.
THE DAYS WORTH KEEPING.
The practical mornings.
The little laughs.
The moments we never knew we'd miss.
Days I want to preserve.
Even an ordinary morning, even a small laugh,
There are moments when you don't yet know that you'll miss it someday.
MORNING IN AUSTRALIA, 2025.
One of the moments I never want to forget.
Beauty, already within you.
I don't believe hair & makeup is about becoming someone else.
My Hair & Makeup Philosophy
I believe that hair and makeup are not meant to transform you into someone else.
Just a little bit of skin preparation.
Try listening to how your body feels as you adjust and touch it.
Because this world passes by so quickly
Take some time to look into your own eyes in the mirror and give yourself some kindness.
The feeling of "I kind of like myself today" after getting my hair and makeup done.
As a child, I learned that by taking care of myself, I could also improve my mood a little.
Therefore, for me, beauty is not just about making one's appearance beautiful.
It's about recognizing the inherent beauty a person possesses and being able to like yourself a little more.
And that small amount of confidence can lead to a change in your expression and the steps you take that day.
Because these products come into contact with our skin, we want to be careful about the products we use.
In my hair and makeup work, I only use organic cosmetics that are not tested on animals.
While working with things derived from plants, we aim for a beauty that is neither too concealed nor too artificial, but one that truly reflects the individual.
Here are the things I value most in hair and makeup.
YOUR MOMENT STARTS HERE.
Photography, hair & makeup, phytotherapy, or something in between.
If something here feels right for you, I'd love to hear from you.
Things about photography, hair and makeup, and plants.
Please feel free to contact us anytime if you have any questions or concerns.
I'm looking forward to meeting you.