E V E R Y T H I N G I S

ephemere.

  • The term éphémère /eh-feh-mer/ comes from the French, meaning short-lived. It is embodied through mono no aware, a Japanese concept that refers to the pathos of the impermanence of all things, or a sensitivity to ephemera. Akin to the splendor of a dandelion, everything has a beginning and an end. The awareness and acceptance of life’s transient nature inspire people to cherish and fully live in the present moment. 

    Photography captures moments in time and freezes them for posterity, serving as a reminder that nothing lasts forever. Each moment quickly becomes a mere memory, including people, places, and things contained in them. The very act of taking pictures acknowledges the fragility of memory and that every moment is worth capturing before it’s gone.

    At ephemere., we regard photography as more than just a valuable means of visual expression; it is a powerful portal for making significant and even immortalizing fragments of our fleeting world. Here, we reflect on the transience of life, revere the delicate beauty of ephemerality, and revel in its strong impact on our daily lives.

  • Tokyo is a mecca of all things photography, and we are over the moon to play a part in advocating visual literacy through meaningful photography. We envision a world that appreciates the wonder of everything ephemeral and aims to make a lasting impact on the art form.

    ‘Seeing through photography’ is our motto—embracing compelling images, visuals that stir the senses, and narratives that speak to the soul. We support all genres of photography and take pleasure in all photo-based art, with a special focus on providing non-Japanese artists an opportunity to showcase their work in Japan.

    ephemere. is dedicated to expanding the world of photography through impactful initiatives. We transform visual stories into cherished Publications, offer enriching Workshops, curate immersive Exhibitions, and provide a dynamic platform for artistic dialogue in our Journal. Our Open Calls invite international and emerging artists to connect with a broader audience, fostering a vibrant and inclusive creative community in Tokyo and beyond.

Publications

ephemere. transforms powerful visual stories into impactful photo books and zines, turning images into cherished objects that evoke deep emotion and meaning. By collaborating closely with artists, we ensure that each publication not only highlights compelling narratives but also receives top-notch presentations through Japan’s renowned printing quality. With international exposure through art fairs and festivals, our Publications foster a vibrant community dedicated to elevating visual storytelling and enriching the global arts scene. We invite passionate photographers to join our growing community and bring their stories to life through beautifully crafted publications.

Workshops

ephemere. views photography as a profound language that deserves to be understood and expanded. Our Workshops offer a unique opportunity for photographers to refine their creative practices through hands-on sessions, personalized guidance, and practical feedback. Participants gain access to a supportive community and expert mentors, enhancing their skills in visual storytelling and photo book making, while fostering collaboration and growth within a thriving artistic environment. We are looking for photographers who would like to share their expertise, knowledge, and talent and become one of our Workshop mentors.

Exhibitions

ephemere. curates immersive exhibitions that showcase a diverse range of photographic perspectives, providing a platform for voices and stories that might otherwise go unheard. Our Exhibitions are designed to engage audiences deeply and foster a greater appreciation for visual storytelling, with a special focus on emerging and international artists. By offering a thoughtfully curated setting and personal attention, we help expand artists’ reach and enrich the artistic community in Tokyo and beyond. We welcome photographers who are keen on showcasing their work.

Journal

ephemere. is a dynamic platform that delves into the stories behind our artistic collaborations, featuring exclusive interviews and highlights from our events and book fairs. Our online Journal amplifies the voices of photographers and writers, including those beyond our immediate scope, who contribute to the rich tapestry of visual storytelling. Through this space, contributors and readers alike can engage with the broader creative community and explore the impact of photography in new and meaningful ways. We are looking for designers who can help us with our publications, writers who can help us interview artists, and creatives who would like to help us build a community.

Open Calls

ephemere. hones visual literacy through group exhibitions and collective publications, inviting a diverse range of artists to showcase their work. Collaborating with experienced Guest Curators and skilled creatives, our Open Calls offer broad exposure and thematic exploration, with an emphasis on accessibility through free entry options. By partnering with individuals and platforms, we aim to enhance the visibility of emerging and established artists, fostering a vibrant and inclusive global photography community. We are looking for collaborators who’d like to work with us in our next Open Calls.

  • Frederic George Pauwels on his publication, "Whispers"

    I am so pleased to work with ephemere., I had a hunch that I had to get in touch and I only work based on my gut feeling. Everything is clear, I like that Anne is up-front telling as much as possible about the process, costs etc. It avoids misunderstanding.I am very happy with our collaboration. I know this work is hard and not always rewarding. It's a tough environment and it is hard to stay motivated. I think you are doing a great job. Keep the boundaries to protect yourself and keep the spirit up.

  • Glen Snyder on his exhibition and publication, "Yorumo Hirumo"

    Wonderful experience. Things worked well and I feel that Anne and I communicate well. I am grateful for all of the help with promotion and setting up and taking down things. Anne provided good advice throughout the process which I felt was important in making this a success. I have also made a lot of friends with similar photographic interests through ephemere. Additionally, the gallery space is very conducive to visiting and hanging out to chat with people who have similar photographic interests. Very friendly and inviting to everyone.

  • Katrina Buckles on "Happening Happenstance"

    Working with Anne and ephemere. was so enjoyable. Anne is extremely professional, friendly, and talented. The book and the gallery show were beautifully thought out and executed. The quality of the publication is above all my expectations. I would love to work with ephemere. again and would absolutely buy more publications that they produce!

  • Mario Pires on his exhibition, "Bleak City"

    I felt supported and cherished in any way possible. Before, during and after. As I was unable to travel to be there, I felt it even more. I give ephemere. the highest mark! I was very happy, the display of the photos was a very good match between them and the available space. As I was not there physically during the exhibit, Anne relayed all the feedback to me, I was delighted by all.

  • From our dedicated curator-publisher to our talented guest curators, collaborators, designers, and writers, ephemere. is driven by a global team of passionate photographers and photography enthusiasts.

    Their collective dedication and creativity are the heartbeat of our mission to celebrate and advance the art of visual storytelling.

    We are also comprised of the talented photographers who work with us, submit their work to our projects, and the supporters who engage with and purchase our publications.

  • Curator, Publisher

  • Gallery Team

    Jonah Shimizu
    Aira Shimizu

  • Collaborations

    Angkor Photo Workshops
    Aperture Brought Me Here
    Contrast/Design
    Docu Magazine
    Noice Magazine

  • Guest Curators

    Aji Susanto Anom
    Cécil Baldewyns
    Colin Czerwinski
    Guido Gazzilli
    Jim Herrington
    Joe Grant
    Marci Lindsay
    Satomi Sugiyama
    Susana Barberà
    Trey Derbes
    Wuthipol Ujathammarat

  • Designers

    April Seo
    Chandler Lemmon
    Elena Bertocchi
    Federico Zavatta
    Juan Luis Salazar

  • Writers

    Anil Purohit
    Geng Hui Tan
    Giovannella Pirina
    Guzal Koshbahteeva
    Jiye Kim
    José Herrera
    Kevin Baylon
    Martina Cantore
    Niklas Viola
    Sophie Gray

  • Editor

    Khanjan Purohit

  • Translators

    Eijiro Hamada
    Hiro Arcode

  • Social Media

    Tiange Xiang

  • Events

    Kuala Lumpur Art Book Fair 2024
    Taiwan Art Book Fair 2024
    Singapore International Photography Festival 2024
    Indonesia Photo Fair 2024
    Planet of Zines Tokyo
    Tokyo Art Book Fair 2023
    Zine Farm Tokyo (Kichijoji)

I S E V E R Y T H I N G

ephemere.