Capturing peaks from 8,000m-high on the world’s 14 tallest peaks is no easy feat. Yet for Tokyo-born photographer Naoki Ishikawa, the beauty of travel and its myriads of serendipity allows for the depth of humanity to emerge in his works.

Ishikawa can be best described as a photographer, writer, adventurer and mountain climber whose work exists at the intersection of art, anthropology, and exploration. From urban city streets to remote and vast regions, his approach is intuitive and often lends itself to the beauty of serendipity. ‘It’s not just important — it’s the most important aspect’, he explains. ‘Everything I shoot is a result of unexpected encounters. I’ve never approached photography with the intention to control or stage anything.’

Ishikawa’s deep curiosity about cultures and environments at the intersection of the earth’s extremes, sees him journey from the heights of the Himalayas to the remote islands of the Pacific, capturing the complex relationships between people, place, and tradition. Remarkably, the 48-year-old photographer is the only photographer in the world to have summited all 14 of the world’s highest 8000-meter peaks. Acclimatisation and intense preparation is key. ‘Shooting at such high altitudes is extremely difficult, of course. But I felt strongly that it was something only I could do — no other photographer in the world is attempting this. Human memory is fragile, and for me, recording the landscapes I see with my own eyes is incredibly important.’

Blending visual storytelling with academic insight, Ishikawa’s work challenges the boundaries between documentary and personal narrative, inviting viewers to reconsider notions of distance, identity, and belonging. ‘I shoot based on instinct and how my body reacts,’ he adds. ‘But I do walk around the streets constantly and engage with people, which allows a wide range of shooting opportunities to emerge.’ His photographic practice is rooted in firsthand experience, often involving physically demanding travel and long-term engagement with the communities he documents. Naoki shoots on two medium format rangefinder cameras, the collapsible-lens bellows camera Plaubel Makina 670 alongside his Mamiya 7II as a secondary — both weighing over 1.2kg each. ‘I own four of each — eight cameras in total,’ he adds. 

Champ Editor Joanna Kawecki caught up with Ishikawa upon his return from Alaska, discussing his early beginnings in photography to the next projects he’s working on. 

ALA CHAMP MAGAZINE: Hi Naoki! Where are you currently based and what does your typical day look like?

NAOKI ISHIKAWA: I’m based in Tokyo, but I often spend more than half the year overseas. Even within Japan, I’m constantly on the move, so it’s rare for me to stay in Tokyo for long periods.

What is your earliest memory of your interest in photography?

When I was 14, I traveled through Shikoku, Japan, and brought a camera with me for the first time. It was the first time I took photos of my own volition. At 17, I traveled alone to India and Nepal, and I was deeply engaged in shooting with a film camera throughout that journey.

What was the most challenging shoot or climb you have been on?

It’s hard to name just one. None of the 14 peaks were easy to shoot on. If I had to choose, I’d say K2 was especially difficult. I failed to summit it twice and only succeeded on my third attempt.

You approach your photography with a deep sense of connection to your subjects and their environment. You take great care in developing relationships, spending great lengths of time with local communities and people. How important is this element to you personally, and your work?

It’s extremely important to me. For example, in Japan, photographing religious rituals can be very difficult, and I often spend a lot of time negotiating access in advance. Even the photos that may appear casually taken are the result of deep relationships and mutual trust with local communities.

Please tell us something we may not know about you!

Right now, I’m very interested in Alaska and already want to go back. I actually just returned from Alaska a few days ago!

What are your dreams and plans for the next 3 years?

I want to continue visiting the Himalayan regions of Nepal, Pakistan, and Tibet. I also plan to keep photographing in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, an area affected by the recent earthquake. Going forward, I’d like to focus more on publishing photo books and sharing my experiences with a global audience. I also hope to be more involved in photography education.

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Photography: Naoki Ishikawa© 
Interview and text: Editor-in-Chief Joanna Kawecki