about

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I am a travel and street photographer, currently living in Brisbane Australia. I have taken pictures in over thirty countries, across five continents and am lucky enough to have won a few awards along the way.

If you have a spare few moments, please check out the ‘365 Days in Japan’ section of my blog. This is the culmination of a year living and teaching in Japan, a picture for every day.

Special mention goes to a cheeky, spiky-haired, monkey somewhere in Japan, the inspiration for the name of this site… have a banana on me.

e- snowmonkeyphotography@gmail.com

instagram- @snowmonkeyfoto

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jigokudano-snow-monkeys JJ1_9513

Comments 122

  6. Ninali March 13, 2012

    Thanks for stopping by liking and following! I love your photos and look forward to seeing the rest of the year you produce! I just got LR3 been using PSE and CS3…looking forward to exploring using LR3 and hopefully editing a little quicker πŸ™‚

    Reply to this comment

    • winegums March 14, 2012

      No problem! I loved your silhouettes πŸ™‚ Light room really does make things faster- you can do all the basic things you need to do to any photo and then, if it needs anything extra, it is easy to export to photoshop and back!

      Reply to this comment

  8. gracegoestopizzaland March 22, 2012

    Hey! Your photos really are stunning!
    I want to move to Japan next year to teach and was just wondering if you are doing the JET scheme or telf? And how are you finding it? Sorry about the questions! I hope you are have a brilliant time and keep up the good work with your photos!

    Reply to this comment

    • winegums March 23, 2012

      Hey, thank you so much for taking a look at my blog! I am on the JET program and am based in Yamaguchi prefecture in Hagi city. I would definatly recommend JET over a private company- they look after you really well and it is more of a unique expereience. It’s quite a culture shock settling at fist! But you settle into it and pretty much every day has and interseting experience. Plus you get paid enough to travel round Japan a little! I am off to Kyoto to see the cherry blossoms in a few weeks and I cant wait! I think everyone gets home sick at some point whilst they are here, but that is just a part of it. I am only doing one year but lots of JET’s stay for two or three! I hope this has helped a little πŸ™‚ Do you mind me asking where you are from?

      Reply to this comment

  9. gracegoestopizzaland March 23, 2012

    Thank you so much for your helpful response! I am from a tiny village in Kent but I am currently on my uni year abroad working as an intern for a company in Turin, Italy. I have heard that JET seems to be a more unique experience plus you are fully submerged into the real Japanese culture! I am not too worried about getting home sick because I am used to living abroad but obviously Jap is a big step! The application process for JET seems to be quite daunting especially as they want a copy of every piece of paperwork known to man! I hope I will get a place, I have teaching experience plus I am going to start some Japanese lessons this summer so fingers crossed! I am so jealous about Kyoto, enjoy! You are English as well right? Once again thanks for the info!

    Reply to this comment

    • winegums March 25, 2012

      No problem πŸ™‚ I am English yes, from Wimbledon. The application process is a bit of a maze of paperwork! You have to work pretty hard not to get disqualified. It sounds like you will have a good chance! I didn’t have any teaching experience or know any Japanese. The fact you have lived and worked abroad is a huge plus! (how is working in Turnin by the way!?) I think one of the main things they want to know is that you can adapt to different cultures and will be able to in Japan. They like to hear about cultural exchange as much as anything! I talked a lot about my travel experience and how I like learning about other cultures, as well as trying to show that I was taking an interest in Japanese culture. Hope this helps πŸ™‚

      Reply to this comment

  10. gracegoestopizzaland March 26, 2012

    You’re a fellow southerner! This is what scares me, the dreaded paperwork! If I get it right then I might stand a chance. Turin is such a beautiful city and it’s a million times better than Milan! I am obviously not getting paid for my internship and it mainly consists of filing and photocopying which isn’t much fun but hopefully it will look good on my CV? I hope so anyway! The whole idea of an internship is a new concept in Italy so they don’t really know what it is meant to consist of but my internship could be a whole lot worse. I will keep your advice in my mind if I get to the interview stage. Thank you so much for your advice, I really do appreciate it πŸ™‚

    Reply to this comment

  15. seekraz April 21, 2012

    Hey there Winegums – I saw that you stopped-by my blog the other day…thank you for visiting and for letting me know you were there. Enjoyed browsing through your photos…nice work. πŸ™‚

    Reply to this comment

    • winegums May 28, 2012

      Thank you so much for the award! I appreciate it a lot πŸ™‚ Sorry for my late response, I have somewhat of a backlog of these and will get around one day to writing something about it all. Also, hilarious anecdote about your interview!

      Reply to this comment

      • The Other Watson May 28, 2012

        Oh don’t worry, I know exactly what you mean – I had a backlog of about 4 or 5 of them for a while, which I am still plodding through, knocking off one every week or so.
        Glad you liked that anecdote…I do look back on that one and think “what in the world was I thinking?”

        Reply to this comment

  18. samsoeephotography June 5, 2012

    I’m really fascinated by your blog, and you take some wonderful pictures! I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award -you’re of course not obligated to send the award along. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog πŸ™‚

    Reply to this comment

    • winegums June 10, 2012

      No problems! You have some really great work! My year is coming to a close quite soon 😦 It has been an amazing experience though- there are so many things to see in Japan!

      Reply to this comment

  23. Uncover Japan June 13, 2012

    I’ve lived in Japan for almost four years and in the slog of the daily routine I sometimes forget how fortunate I am to live in such a beautiful country. Your pictures are a wonderful reminder – thank you!
    -Mandy

    Reply to this comment

  24. katemcmillanblogs June 14, 2012

    Just wanted to say thanks for posting all these amazing photos. Going to Japan for the first time next month, and these photos definitely make me even more excited. I love the black and white shot of the deer. So much expression captured in all your animal shots!
    And thank you for providing insight into the JET program too. It’s something I’d like to look into after I finish university.
    Anyway, keep up the great work! And all the best for the next 200 days of the year. πŸ™‚

    Reply to this comment

    • winegums July 11, 2012

      Thank you so much for being s nice! πŸ™‚ Japan definitely has some amazing things to see and the cultural nuances are always interesting! You should definitely think about the JET program, it is an amazing and unique experience that you will never forget!

      Reply to this comment

  25. sleepwalkingintokyo June 14, 2012

    Hi. I found your page through freshly pressed! I’ve lived in Japan for a few years and came back to my home country last year…Your amazing photos makes me miss Japan so much! I’ll live vicariously through your photos from now on! Thanks for sharing them πŸ™‚

    Reply to this comment

    • winegums July 11, 2012

      Thanks! I went to Okinawa for a quick little holiday. Where abouts are you? Have you made it anywhere else in the country? What are you up to over here? Sorry for all the questions πŸ™‚

      Reply to this comment

      • C.Harris July 11, 2012

        It’s cool! My husband’s job brings him here…we’re at one of the US bases on island. Other than my layover flight into Tokyo and a couple of island connected by a bridge, I haven’t been anywhere else off the island. There’s one island I know for sure that I want to make it to before we leave…I just can’t remember the name of it. I want to conquer Mt. Fuji. too! I know you teach, but do you teach English? I’m considering getting TEFL certified so I can teach over here!

        Reply to this comment

        • winegums July 12, 2012

          Well Okinawa isn’t a bad place to be! Tropical paradise outside your back door πŸ™‚ I want to conquer Fiji too! I am think of maybe doing it this month. I do teach english- on the JET program, which is a scheme run by the Japanese government! You get paid well and its an amazing experience, There are loads of companies to do it privately though, and a TEFL is all you need! Your even in Japan already!

          Reply to this comment

          • C.Harris July 12, 2012

            It’s true! Okinawa, especially the northern part of the Island, is truly like tropical paradise! It’s amazing. I love driving onto some of the nearby islands too, because they’re not as modern…lots of traditional houses and farmland.

            Right now I’m trying to decide if I want to teach at a school or if I want to teach online, if I DO get my TEFL. I’m still not sure. I have a friend who teaches online, and she travels a lot and can keep working as long as she has internet! Since we’ll be leaving in the fall of 2013 I dunno how committed I want to be at an actual school…

            Reply to this comment

            • jimmityjangles@gmail.com July 13, 2012

              Teaching online could be good- I might look into that for when I leave actually πŸ™‚ You might even be able to do the odd evening class here and there or something.

              Reply to this comment

    • winegums July 11, 2012

      Wow! Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. Its always great to hear that people like my blog and enjoy looking at my pictures. I am very behind on the blogging awards! But you may well get a returned favour very soon πŸ™‚

      Reply to this comment

      • dyefeltsool July 17, 2012

        You’re welcome! Thanks for sharing all the great pictures. It’s nice to be able to see snippets of other places I can’t visit just yet.

        Reply to this comment

  32. igy222 January 28, 2013

    Hello there, i just stumbled on your blog and absolutely love your idea. Japan is number 1 on my ‘must visit and photograph’ list.
    I have a question though, is there a way to jump directly to your ‘Day 1’?
    Igy

    Reply to this comment

    • winegums February 1, 2013

      Hi, thanks for taking a look at my blog! You should definitely visit if you get the chance, it is a really photogenic country. I like your idea of having a way to skip to day 1. So much so I have added a new button to the sidebar on the right which will take you there! πŸ™‚

      Reply to this comment

    • winegums March 18, 2013

      Wow! Thank you so much. I really appreciate it lots. How was your India trip? Looks like we went to some of the same places. I will get around to going through all my pictures and processing some time…. in the next year or so πŸ™‚

      Reply to this comment

  34. dawnow April 21, 2013

    Hello winegums.

    Thanks for stopping by, and leaving a “like”. I really enjoy your photos, especially with the monkeys.
    I’ve seen some of them from some other photographer’s, and I have to admit that your’s are fantastic.

    I hope to see you again, visiting my site and leaving your thoughts.

    See you.
    David

    Reply to this comment

  42. breannamlittle July 7, 2014

    Your blog makes me want to apply to the program! Was it a tough to get in? It seems like an amazing opportunity….those pictures make me want to travel there right away! I hope that one day I can take photos of such beautiful things as you do. Good luck in your travels!

    Reply to this comment

    • winegums July 12, 2014

      It is reeeasonably tough to get in, I think – its a long application process / interview process. I’m not too sure of the numbers – like how many apply. It’s always worth applying though – and it really is an amazing experience if you get in! I am glad that you like my photos πŸ™‚ Keep dreaming πŸ™‚

      Reply to this comment

  43. chouchamelle July 7, 2014

    Your photos are absolutely stunning!! I mean the places around you are already beautiful, but you definitely add something in the way you capture it! I can’t wait to see more of them…

    Reply to this comment

    • winegums February 24, 2015

      Thanks! Love your photos from the Philippines. One year in Asia sounds amazing. What route are you taking? I am about to go for three months – covering Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia. Will be going fast, about two weeks in each country. What camera do you have with you for your trip?

      Reply to this comment

      • Asier el nomada February 25, 2015

        Im traveling with a full huge and heavy photo equipment. What im covering? Have no idea, for now Im coming back to philippines after a month in malaysia.
        What a rush! For me is between 1 and 3 months in each country. jajajaja

        Reply to this comment

  49. Livia A. Nascimento March 15, 2015

    Hello!
    I recently started a similar project, but the idea is posting one photo I already have per day for 365 days.. Seeing your page just made me think I can continue having a blog later, only with recent pictures. Like the idea! And your photos makes us want to go to Japan very soon. Congrats!

    Reply to this comment

  50. take a break travel florida April 9, 2015

    Superb blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers?

    I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
    Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many
    choices out there that I’m totally confused
    .. Any recommendations? Thanks!

    Reply to this comment

  51. selbell August 30, 2015

    So glad I found your blog! I just moved to America from Japan! I lived there for almost 9 years. Even though it seems like your trip is coming to an end I plan on looking through your old posts when I feel like reminiscing! Great photos! πŸ™‚

    Reply to this comment

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