Timeless and futuristic: Kaori Uemura creates with the Profoto B20 and B30
Timeless and futuristic: Kaori Uemura creates with the Profoto B20 and B30
Fashion and advertising photographer Kaori Uemura brings a unique mix of timelessness and futuristic edge to her work. With experience across advertising, fashion, and music, Uemura recently took on the challenge of blending stills and motion with the Profoto B20 and B30. The result: striking images that highlight not only her creative vision but the flexibility and precision of Profoto’s newest lights.
“In recent years, I’ve found myself increasingly drawn to timeless work – creations that stay relevant and resonate universally, no matter when they were made.”
Photographer: Kaori Uemura
The theme of timelessness, the future, and light
Inspired by classic imagery that still feels fresh decades later, Uemura set out to create visuals that transcend their moment. Styling and set design hinted at a futuristic aesthetic – layered fabrics, reflective material, and metallic textures – but it was the shaping and control of light that truly defined the look. By bouncing light across aluminum sheets, softening edges with an Octa, and focusing beams with Snoots and Grids, she created depth and atmosphere that balanced the timeless and the futuristic.
Kaori Uemura with B30
“We can understand the past, but the future is always uncertain. For this project, I imagined a ‘near future’ – something just beyond the present.”
Photographer: Kaori Uemura
Lighting setup
The main light was a Profoto B30 paired with a RFi Softbox 5’ (150cm) Octa, positioned slightly above and in front of the subject. Balloons were tossed into the frame, timed precisely with the shutter release to add movement and spontaneity.
“Traditional strobes with generators can be cumbersome to move around, but the B20 and B30 are compact, self-contained monolights with excellent mobility – making it much easier to experiment with different setups. Having the Profoto app on hand to adjust output wirelessly was also a huge advantage.”
Unlike her usual approach of distancing the model from the backdrop, Uemura positioned the subject closer to enhance shadows and atmosphere.
Photographer: Kaori Uemura
“The Octa gives you beautifully soft-edged shadows, and I really loved the subtle gradient it created across the scene.”
Photographer: Kaori Uemura
Detailing the light
To add nuance to the scene, Uemura incorporated three additional light sources:
- A B30 with the Spot Small from the upper right to add directional contrast.
- A B30 flagged from the lower right for controlled spill and subtle fill.
The results balanced softness with strength, further emphasized by the styling choices.
Burst shooting posed no challenge thanks to the fast recycle time of the B20 and B30, Uemura could capture every fleeting moment without interruption.
Photographer: Kaori Uemura
Futuristic reflections
For another look, aluminum sheets on the studio floor transformed the space into something otherworldly. By narrowing beams with a Hardbox and Snoot, Uemura created shimmering reflections that evoked a sense of outer space.
Photographer: Kaori Uemura
“It felt like outer space. By narrowing the beams with the Hardbox and Snoot, I was able to create a real sense of dimensionality.”
Photographer: Kaori Uemura
From stills to motion
Uemura also tested the LED output of the B20 and B30 while shooting vertical video.
“I’d heard the new series is twice as bright in LED output compared to the B10, and it was immediately noticeable – it’s definitely usable.”
With lightweight mobility and battery-powered freedom, she’s eagers to bring the lights outdoors for future projects.
Why the Profoto B20 and B30
Beyond power and mobility, the B20 and B30 offer modular control with interchangeable flash tubes and glass covers. Uemura replaced the standard cover with a flat-front glass cover before attaching the Hardbox – achieving a more focused beam for her futuristic concept.
“Lighting is incredibly important to me. Since I’m passionate about art, fashion, and music, I hope to keep working on more fashion brand shoots while making full use of Profoto’s tools.”
Photographer: Kaori Uemura
Creative team
Photographer: Kaori Uemura – Instagram @kugworks
Stylist: Kazumasa Ooya
Hair: YAMA
Makeup: Susumu Kayaki
Model: Hanna Demidziuk (Donna)
Interview: Daisaku Sakata (Editor-in-Chief, SHOOTING)
BTS Photos: Jun Tanikawa
Excerpted from the interview article in Web Magazine SHOOTING here.