Japanese photographer (and Dazed Digital contributor) Fumi Nagasaka is now based in New York after a stint in LA where her love for photography began. Capturing the rawness and beauty of every-day reality, Fumi draws her inspiration from grunge-photographer greats lik Nan Golden andToyin.

Dazed Digital: How old are you?
Fumi Nagasaka: 26 years old.
DD: How long have you been taking photos?
FN: I started to take photos when I was18.
DD: How would you describe your photographic style?
FN: Documentary with a fashion edge. I take photos of things that I think are really beautiful and real.
DD: What is inspiring you at the moment?
FN: I love travelling, movies, music and my artist friends all over the world.
DD: Were you interested in photography when you were growing up? When did you start to take photos?
FN: I started to take an interest in photography when I was studying English in LA in 2000. I visited a friend's store in LA where they had these small Russian cameras called Lomo. An entire wall of the store was covered with photos they had taken with Lomo cameras. At the time, I found this really inspiring. I bought a camera and started to shoot my friends while I was in LA. I was actually looking to pursue a career as a stylist and wasn't particularly interested in being a photographer. After I moved to New York, I lived with a Japanese hair stylist for a year. He had old issues of the cult Japanese magazine called Street. Through it, I noticed there were a lot of photographs of people on the street in London, but there were no photos from New York. I contacted the magazine to enquire about taking street photos in New York and ended up with a job. It was so inspiring taking these photos and seeing them published, I kind of instinctively decided this is what I want to do. 
DD: What is your dream job?
FN: I want to travel all over the world taking photos and being inspired. I would love to carry on having exhibitions and one day publish a book. I want to show young people that there are amazing and beautiful people and things to discover around the world.
DD: Who are your favorite photographers and why?
FN: I love Nan Goldin, her pictures are real, and there are strong feelings and messages behind her work. Her photography is her life. I also love Toyin's work, she takes beautiful photos of boys that no one can replicate.
DD: Who would you most like the opportunity to photograph and why?
FN: People who have some kind of special beauty that is rare and hard to find. It could be kids, old people, people of different races and nationalities. I would like to take photos of these people within their own cultural environment. 
DD: What are your plans for the future? Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
FN: I think I’ll be in Europe or New York, still taking photos. Being with great friends and being happy.