Through a Macro Lens: Ayumi Kawakami’s Intimate View of Nature

BY Sylvester September 28, 2026

Ayumi Kawakami | European Photography Awards

Ayumi Kawakami

Born in Yokohama, photographer Ayumi Kawakami found her creative path through nature and macro photography, developing a deep fascination with the intricate lives of insects. From butterflies to mantises and Chrysis wasps, her photographs offer intimate glimpses into nature’s beauty, fragility, and harsher realities.

Born in Yokohama, I began my photography career in earnest during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst a global crisis, it was the butterflies that brought a smile to my face. Initially, I photographed them with a sense of total immersion.

More recently, however, I have come to view myself as an observer of nature’s often cruel reality, and I now shoot with the aim of capturing the true essence of these insects' lives.

I visited the same spot every day to study the changes in the mantis eggs, as well as the temperature and wind, eventually witnessing the very moment of their birth—the beginning of a cruel rebirth.

My ultimate goal for the year is to capture the story of these mantises, documenting their lives in a harsh world that is far from idyllic. Meanwhile, I photograph the "Chrysis" wasp—a gift from the heavens—with a smile on my face.

The inspiration I felt at that moment.

At first, I used to go to Disneyland and take photos of my favourite characters, Chip and Dale.

Nature and macro photography. Nature brings me a sense of peace, and I love macro photography because it allows me to get a little closer to insects.

AF-S VR Macro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED. I’ve been using the AstrHori 28mm F13 2:1 Macro Probe Lens since last year, and I love it because it lets me see a world I’ve never seen before—even if managing the lighting is a real challenge.

I want the people who see the photos to smile.

The wait until the mantises hatched was the hardest part.

Parks and areas rich in nature.

Insects and certain mountain photographers.

Photograph what you love with a smile. The skills will surely follow.

Laugh! And have fun!

I view editing and post-processing primarily as a means of refining an image.

However, I also work as a digital artist who creates drawings based on photographs, drawing inspiration from that very process of editing and post-processing. Inspiration lies all around us.

I believe that AI is something we coexist with. I do not think it is right to rely on it completely. AI lacks the ability to make decisions or to imagine; those are qualities that humans possess.

Everything you've never seen before!