meet KAYA SOUYA: Capturing the Marshmallow Essence

In a unique and heartwarming photography project, photographer Mamiko Ando captures the soft, friendly essence of comedian Soya Kaya (from the comedy duo Kagaya). This collaboration, titled "meet KAYA SOUYA," is a brilliant example of how a photographer's intuition can transform into a captivating visual story.

My Encounter with Kaya-san

"The theme of this project is 'My Encounter with Kaya-san.' It's also about the encounter between the person that is Kaya-san and the people who view this work. When I first had the opportunity to photograph Kagaya, for some reason I felt, 'Kaya-san is like a marshmallow...' His roundness, whiteness, and softness were so endearing and cute. That feeling has stayed in my head ever since.

Photographing Kaya-san was always fun, and I was drawn to his personality, so I naturally wanted to photograph him again someday. While this thought was floating around in my head every day, one day when I opened a bag of marshmallows at home, a concrete image suddenly popped into my mind."

White marshmallow and light blue ground(CLICK TO EXPAND)

EDITORIAL ARCHIVE // SOURCE: INTERNET ARCHIVE

“The white marshmallow, the light blue ground, and the color of the clothes link together. It's a very pleasant and favorite photo.”

Close up on hand(CLICK TO EXPAND)

EDITORIAL ARCHIVE // SOURCE: INTERNET ARCHIVE

"Kaya-san is like a marshmallow..." A Collaboration Born from Sharing That Thought

"However, photography is ultimately a collaborative effort with the subject. I couldn't proceed with just my one-sided feelings. So, I first contacted Kaya-san directly, explained that he looked like a marshmallow to me, that I wanted to photograph him with marshmallows, and ultimately that I wanted him to become a marshmallow and get into a Ziploc bag. I shared sample images to ensure he understood and agreed before we started shooting."

Kaya looking away(CLICK TO EXPAND)

EDITORIAL ARCHIVE // SOURCE: INTERNET ARCHIVE

“I am captivated by these moments when he is not looking at the camera.”

The Challenge of Pure Desire to Shoot

"In my usual photography, I often capture accidental moments—things I feel or notice on the spot. I rarely shoot with my own expression or feelings taking the lead. That's why shooting with the explicit desire to 'photograph Kaya-san and marshmallows' was a new challenge for me.

I didn't know how I would feel during the shoot, whether it would turn out to be a pleasant piece, or even if it would work as a cohesive work of art. It was a challenge driven purely by the feeling of 'I just want to shoot this!' In that sense, I learned a lot and feel it was a new step forward.

During the shoot, my attention was so focused on Kaya-san as a subject that I became more and more fascinated by him. As a result, I discovered even more of his charm. It reminds me of the tips I give clients to overcome camera shyness—when you let go and are truly yourself, your most authentic and endearing qualities naturally shine through. In particular, I made the great discovery that his hands are cute! So I'm thinking I'd like to take close-ups of his hands for the second shoot."

Kaya face in ziploc(CLICK TO EXPAND)

EDITORIAL ARCHIVE // SOURCE: INTERNET ARCHIVE

“This picture popped into my head first, and I was aiming for this cut during the shoot, so it is the core and landing point of this project. Kaya-san is truly adorable, just like a marshmallow.”

Source: GENIC - meet KAYA SOUYA