We are looking at the same world, but what is different?---When I saw photos by Tammy Volpe for the first time, I was fascinated by such an innocent sense captured in a moment. She was only 20 years old and in university when she took a cue from Instagram and began coloring visuals of fashion and advertising scenes.

3 years later, she is married and pregnant with a baby.

“What I want to photograph from now on is photos which make people notice that every single moment of our lives is beautiful”. Those words resonate both as a message to welcome her coming baby and to all others as well. She began as akin to a raw stone, but began to shine brighter and brighter as a gem of an artist, a woman and a mother. ---Enjoy the interview and photos like the generous-blowing wind on the southern island of Bali where she moved when she got married.



She made her debut as a photographer when she was 20 years old. She took photos naturally and purely.


―――Please tell us how you started working in fashion magazines as a photographer.

My parents like film photography, so I could easily find cameras around me. There were tens of thousands of photos of me in my house and I began to naturally take photos with a film camera as well. I went to Tokyo to study in a university and posted photos I took and stored on Instagram. Then, an editor of a magazine presented an offer to me as a photographer. I thought “Are you sure you’re okay with me?” I remembered being very nervous as I went to take photos. The editor said he liked my sense and we work together even now.





―――Outside of work, you take a lot of photos as well. Please tell us which ones are your favorites.

I am fond of photos I took while traveling in NY and LA, etc. It is difficult to explain what I thought about because I take photos at the moment when my intuition tells me to. It seems to cut off the moment I regard as “Good”. Each of them remain in my head.









And, I also like the photos I take in daily life. When I am with a friend who is a model, I say “Let’s take a photo here” when i feel the moment is right. Photos driven by my intuition are unexpectedly excellent.





―――Which photography holds a place in your heart?

All of them, but it was new to me and thus left an impression when I took photos of Hikari Mori’s first photo book “HIKARI MORI” which was released last month. I felt something new inside of me. It was not made conceptually. I just captured moments when Hikari, Nanako,who is a hair and make-up artist,and I   traveled to Hakone and met each other face to face. I think the result was natural because I was able to photograph her freely.









―――Is there anything in particular you are extra careful about when you take a photo?

Well, it is difficult to explain, but I may pay particular attention to the angle of view. For example, lines and balances to fit into the square. Taken by my mother who is into art, I have been to Italy and Austria only to look at paintings. I was bored and didn’t like it as a child. However, when I think back, I appreciate that because I could learn a lot of things.

―――Please tell me which artists you like.

There are a lot! Of all, Harley Weir is unique and I really like her. She is special in the way of finding what she takes and it is nice that her works are natural and have attractive colors. I’m attracted to this type of photo which portrays daily life with another view rather than exceedingly beautiful photos.



Having a baby and looking at “my happiness” more than ever before


―――Congratulations on your wedding. Did you plan the wedding ceremony by yourself?

Yes, I did. My husband and I are picky and there are too many things which we wanted to choose by ourselves. It was an unforgettable ceremony for both of us because we came up with everything. For example: design of flowers and decorations, table setting, the sound system, writing and so on…





My friends came from Japan and his friends came from Korea because he is Korean. And, those who are from Scotland, London, Osaka, Fukuoka and NY came to join our ceremony from a long distance. Altogether, about 100 people attended. It was a fantastic party and I would love to do it all again..





―――You have a baby inside of you, don’t you? Has it affected the way you feel?

Reading various books, I learnt my mind is connected to my baby’s mind. When I feel stressed, my baby also feels stressed. Indeed, I was feeling sick when I moved house.

Experiencing those things, I got to think more about my happiness than before. I came to decide by intuition on what I couldn’t make a decision on previously because my thoughts got in the way. Moving to Bali where my husband owns a house was one of those decisions. At the beginning when I found out I was pregnant, I was surprised by many things, but now I’m really looking forward to giving birth. I want to meet my baby as soon as possible.

―――Where is your favorite place?

In Bali, that is Angel’s Billabong. It is on an island called Nusa Penida and is wonderful. There is a natural pool inside of the cliff. When I go down along the cliff, I can swim there. I feel really good when I do that.





I look at the sunset every day. It’s amazing. It turns pink in the evening. I have felt that the sky is closer to me since I came to Bali. I may unconsciously look more at the sky because there are no high buildings. Every time I see it, I am impressed by the beauty.

―――When do you get to be innocent?

Well, I am innocent almost all the time. I go with the flow. But, I may be the most innocent in front of my husband or intimate friends. An ordinary day makes me happy and innocent.



I want to snap the shutter with the message “Every single moment of our lives is beautiful”.


―――Do you have something else you want to say to the world through your photos??

I don’t have a strong message connected all of my photos, but I want to take photos that make people feel “Every single moment of our lives is beautiful” and to enjoy the moment. Many people who I have known in Bali are looking for their own happiness. Partially inspired by meeting people who “are living now”, I got to think about what I really want.







―――Do you want to try anything as a photographer in the future?

I will try to take more photos of things around me. I originally like photographing daily lives. So I want to produce more works related to families, nature and what I think of.





―――The theme of ARTIDA OUD is “raw beauty= the beauty of no-luxurious, natural women”. In that way, are there any women who you think are beautiful?

Among close people to me, my mother is a person who has raw beauty.

She doesn’t use makeup, doesn’t buy or have many things. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t take care of herself. She does yoga and takes good care of herself. She sometimes buys expensive jewelry she likes and wears them for a long time.

I also think those natural things are the most beautiful. Affected by my mother, I don’t concern myself with material possessions.

―――Upholding the theme of raw beauty, we let you photograph for our plan “FLORA” taking Millennials for models in ARTIDA OUD. Please tell us your feedback.

I had met many of them before. They are perfect for the message of the brand “natural beauty”. They all were natural and I could take photos as smooth as water flows. I could be myself from start to finish and enjoyed.







―――In regards to women’s beauty, inner beauty also exists. Are there any words you were impressed by?

My husband likes philosophy and told me these words “The real happiness is not having what we want but appreciating what we have”.It also gets through to my mother and impressed me. And I’m touched by the words “It is your own problem when you feel terrible.” For example, when I think I don’t like this person, he doesn’t have any particular problems and I can change that positively depending on how I grasp it. I’ve got significant influence from my husband. I had known those things somewhere inside, but he made me aware of them again. The words from the person who I count on most have a special effect on me.

―――Please tell us your favorite items of ARTIDA OUD.

This snake ring is simple, but has a unique form! I’ve not seen that in other shops.

―――Each of them is handmade by Indian artisans

I see! I like snakes because they are mysterious. This seems to be an amulet with a kind sensation, it feels like a lucky charm, probably due to the fact that they are handcrafted. Putting it on my stomach where my baby is, I took a photo.





And, these earrings are made from ruby. I thought they were very cute because I originally like the color magenta. The natural inclusion of sapphire on each piece really brings out its exotic karma which is suitable for the atmosphere in Bali.





Lastly, I also like chokers. They are simple but have a presence. It can be used for cool or cute fashion.







Not having been on the lineup of ARTIDA OUD yet, opal is also nice. It reminds me of space.
I was touched and thought “it is brilliant that nature makes such a beautiful thing!”

I am also fond of amethyst. My aunt who is a jewelry designer told me that amethyst is the stone which makes us relaxed and protects us. Then, searching for the meaning of the stone, I found it has the power that I need. It has an effect to change negative energy to positive and enhances the sixth sense. In other words, it is the guardian stone of love. It deepens the bond with our partners and gives us the  strength to protect our true love to the end. That’s what was written.





―――Please leave a message for women who struggle in various fields.

I think women feel “what is important to me” more strongly than men. If you think too much, just believe your intuition a little more and create a moment connected to your senses every day. Because you can’t love anybody if you don’t love yourself. Listen to and follow your heart, and you will enjoy your life.

And, ARTIDA OUD agrees with “Because I am a Girl” of Global NGO Plan International, doesn’t it? I’ve heard that Hikari Mori is also joining as a volunteer, but the fact is that more than 800 mothers die because of poverty etc. every day when they give birth in the world. I want to support as many lives as possible in future activities.

PROFILE

タミー・ボルピ





Born in 1994. She has done a great job as a budding photographer since she was in university. She moved to Bali when she got married. Currently, she keeps photographing going back and forth between Tokyo and Bali.


Instagram
https://instagram.com/bluebluetammy/

1st写真集『HIKARI MORI』
https://www.transworldjapan.co.jp/hikarimori/



PHOTOGRAPHER／TAMMY VOLPE

EDIT／RIDE MEDIA&DESIGN


TEXT／HANAKO FUJITA





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