Bio
Chris Willson is a British ex-pat photographer, videographer, and travel writer based in Okinawa. He specializes in documenting Japanese festivals, martial arts, and life on Okinawa both on land and underwater. His images often appear in newspapers, magazines and guidebooks.
イギリス出身のクリス·ウィルソンは、現在沖縄県に在住しています。 彼は日本のお祭りと文化を専門として活動しており、また沖縄の陸上と水中なども数多く撮っております。
彼の撮るイメージは、定期的に新聞、雑誌、ガイドブックなどに使用されています。
Chris studied ecology at the University of Lancaster and University of Calgary. After traveling around Europe and Australasia he worked as a guide in the Peruvian Amazon. In 1999, he moved to Japan, and now lives in Motobu on the island of Okinawa.
He has had several exhibitions in Okinawa, and has been featured by Pentax at their Tokyo gallery in both group and solo exhibitions.
Chris undertakes a wide variety of editorial and commercial commissions for local and international clients.
Please get in touch at Chris@TRAVEL67.com or +81 090 1367 9198
TEAR SHEETS
A selection of published photographs and writing.
Hadaka matsuri images on BBC’s QI Season J Episode 11 – Jumpers
Karate Master Taira on 82 yen postal stamp 2016
Ishigaki’s Kabira Bay for Japan Post 80 Yen Postal Stamp
“Into the Mist” image use for album cover of “The Crossover” by Sing Sing Sing
Guardian / Observer Newspaper – Photo Feature
BBC Website
Kokusai Street – November 2014 Silkroad Magazine
Kokusai Street – November 2014 Silkroad Magazine
Kokusai Street – November 2014 Silkroad Magazine
Master Class – Star Cruises Indulge Magazine Q2 2014
Master Class – Star Cruises Indulge Magazine Q2 2014
Master Class – Star Cruises Indulge Magazine Q2 2014
Dive Okinawa – Silkroad May 2014 Dragonair
Dive Okinawa – Silkroad May 2014 Dragonair
Dive Okinawa – Silkroad May 2014 Dragonair
TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography 
Hello Chris,
Can’t even tell you how I came across your blog – but glad I did!! Beautiful and powerful pictures!!! I also live in Okinawa
and would like to visit your next exibit. Please let me know
when the next one will be.
Have a wonderful day!
Sincerely,
Sylvia
Chris,
You are one of the reasons why I pick up my Pentax 67II more than my digital camera these days. Thanks for being an inspiration.
Regards,
Damon
Hi Chris,
Just wanted to check with you if you remember the price you got your 67 II camera. Yodobashi lists it presently at 214000 Yen which seems a bit pricey.
Thanks,
Bharat
Hi Bharat,
I paid 198,000 for the 67II body and 63,000 yen for the AE Pentaprism. I expect that the sale price of the remaining 67 bodies and lenses will rise to the full list price as production has finished.
Hello, I ve seen your photos !
It was nice sharing time with you at Kanto Festival in Akita.
You have the gift of taking photos,I think!
Great photos !
Hope you ll have nice days back in Okinawa 🙂
Take care 🙂
Keiko Mina
Hi Chris,
That folding kayak you’re using, is that a Feathercraft?!
Amazing photos, all of them! Wish I could afford a 645D :-(!
All the best,
Tord S Eriksson,
Bagboater
should have been ‘Bagboater Yahoo group’. sorry!
Yes it’s Heiko’s Feathercraft Wisper. Lovely kayak.
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Hi Chris
Just came across your site today…….nice work mate! Great photos! I am a beginner photographer but enjoy getting out there and snapping away! Also from Blighty and live in Okinawa.
Take care
Rich
Hi Chris,
I discovered your blog site today when I was frantically searching for news on Okinawa after the tsunami. I was born there and have lots of family there. My mother is full Okinawan making me half. I went back to visit in 2002 and couldn’t believe how “at home” I felt. All my relatives made me feel like I had lived there my whole life. I am hoping to return this fall with the Uchinanchu festival. I will keep tabs on your blog to see your photos and read your experiences. Please feel free to contact me anytime.
Christine
Hi Chris
Stumbled across your blogs etc while checking for Tsunami news..
I THINK we worked together very briefly in Okinawa, or at least in the same company, Nova, 2000?.. I came back to the UK in 2001 after which on a visit to Italy for a friends wedding, I met your aunt on a station platform in Herculaneum!
Anyway, been back and forth to Japan MANY times since, as my true self, a textile designer, sadly don’t get to Okinawa much these days. Anyway, if it the same Chris, nice to ‘meet’ again, and great work! Best wishes
Tim
Chris, do you use your 67 lenes on the 645D,if so how has it worked out ? Do you know of any good articles on the internet on this subject ?
Hi Allan,
Yes I use 67 lenses on the 645D. I talked about it in a previous post here
https://travel67.wordpress.com/2010/06/26/pentax-67-lenses-on-pentax-645d-body-part-2/
I regularly use the 67 105mm lens. I have used the 165mm lens also but was not as impressed by the results.
Chris
Hi I just stumbled upon your site and noticed you’re from Manchester? I’m in my final year at leeds uni but i am from heaton moor (near fallowfield/didsbury) originally, and thinking about teaching english abroad and surfing next year. Okinawa is one of the places i am thinking about trying out for…would you recommend it as a destination? Is it hard to get a job over there teaching english because of the military wives who live there already? Great photos btw!
Hi Chris,
I remember when you first came to Japan and visiting you in snowy Hokkaido when I was meant to be in Karuizawa. I came across your blog by accident today and it was nice to see a familiar face from Lancaster University and Japan. Your photos are amazing.)
Sharon (Turner)