Okinawa Resort Wedding Photo & Video Contest 2022: "Charm of Okinawa" Award—Interview with Ms. Akiko Saito

Photo & Video Contest 2022
Grand Prix Announcement!

 

Based on the results of votes from everyone and those of members of the Okinawa Resort Wedding Association
"Okinawa Resort Wedding Photo & Video Contest 2022"
The Grand Prize and Runner-Up winners have been announced!

We received comments from the winners of the Contest.

 

Okinawa Charm Award

Title: "A Gift for the Future"

Video URL:https://youtu.be/3Q_ovVy43FU

Photographer: Akiko Saito, Okinawa Watabe Wedding Co., Ltd.

Coral reefs are indispensable to Okinawa, as they support both the marine ecosystem and human life. In recent years, the decline of coral reefs has become a global issue due to various causes. While it is difficult to halt this decline, we can join forces to help restore and increase coral populations. —We want to leave a beautiful ocean for future generations— With this hope in mind, we created this video to raise awareness about our coral farming initiative.

Category: Okinawa Charm Award

Affiliation: Member of the Okinawa Resort Wedding Association

Location (Municipality): Onna Village

Location: Maekanehisa Fishing Port

 

 

Okinawa Charm Award: Interview with Akiko Saito

 

Acceptance Speech

Thank you very much for this award.
Since this work was made possible thanks to the cooperation of many people, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who helped, and
I am filled with gratitude toward the company that gave me this opportunity.
I'm also so happy to have won an award for a piece that showcases my favorite hobby, diving!!

 

About the Award-Winning Works

At first, I didn't know much about the coral planting initiative, but,
To actually see the coral that so many people planted in the ocean as it has grown
I remember being very impressed.
The fact that Okinawa’s beautiful ocean is sustained by the thoughts and actions of many different people...
I hope this work helps me convey my message to all of you even more clearly.

 

What Led Me to Become a Photographer and Videographer

I had studied photography a little when I was a student, but I was working in a completely unrelated field in Tokyo, and
I started this job right around the time I moved to Okinawa.
At first, my job was just editing, but I thought, “I’m sure I could shoot something even better! I want to do the filming, too!”
I started my career as a videographer three years ago.

 

Future Activities

Since I'd like to be able to take photos as well as videos in the future,
I want to keep working hard so that I can win awards as a photographer, too!!