While shooting resort weddings in Bali, I often handled "after-photos" for couples who had already married in Japan and come on their honeymoon. What I heard again and again were words of regret — "I wish we'd captured more of this," "I wish we'd gotten a shot of that atmosphere too." Even though it's a once-in-a-lifetime moment, they were left feeling something was missing, and I wanted to eliminate that regret entirely. I wanted to leave people with moments that make them think, from the heart, "I'm so glad we trusted you with this." That is the origin of this company.

Someone who understands their own strengths and weaknesses. They actively use their strengths to create value, honestly acknowledge their weak points, and work to improve on them. When needed, they can rely on a teammate who's stronger in that area, with respect. And they never blame everything on others — they ask "what can I do?" rather than "whose fault is it?" People who thrive here aren't the ones striving for perfection, but the ones who keep facing themselves honestly and keep maximizing their value.

We're still a small company, always aiming to grow, so both the environment and roles keep changing. This isn't a finished organization — it's one we're still building together. That's exactly why it's a place where people who choose challenge over stability, who look inward rather than assign blame, and who enjoy change and turn it into personal growth, can grow enormously. We're looking for people who see change as an opportunity, not a burden.

As long as your work is only ever judged within Japan, the market stays limited. But measure yourself against the world, and the possibilities expand dramatically. Photography, as a creative craft, has the power to reach across language barriers. That's exactly why I believe the healthier future lies not in Japanese creators competing against each other domestically, but in joining forces to take on the world together. Working to that standard, I believe, ultimately raises each individual's market value too.

People who grow quickly never stop, even once they've gotten comfortable with their work. Rather than settling within their comfort zone, they deliberately step into territory that feels a little intimidating. What that takes isn't talent — it's the mindset of continually asking yourself, "Is this really good enough?" and continuing to push yourself.

Because we're still a small company, each person's thinking and actions have a huge impact on our future. We want people who see their role as a responsibility, not just a task. People who, when things go wrong, don't blame others but ask, "What can I do?" People who take feedback as fuel for growth, not criticism. And people who naturally ask, "How can this be done better?" instead of waiting for instructions. We want to grow this company together with people like that.

It's that moment right after getting ready, when a client looks in the mirror and breaks into a smile saying, "I love it!" — sharing that spark of excitement together. And when I later hear feedback like, "I'm so glad we chose Libars," after the shoot or delivery, I truly feel this job is worth doing.

There's support for skill development, and an environment where I can fully pursue what interests me and what I want to learn more about. I also get to do hair and makeup for Dress Curre's sample shoots, which gives me the chance to design my own styles and take on creative challenges. Building one piece of work together with the dress stylist, photographer, and hair and makeup team is also a lot of fun. Being able to turn "I want to try this" into reality, rather than just doing assigned tasks, is what makes Libars special.

This is work where my own skill, my own hands, can directly bring joy to a client. It's work that lets me become part of a client's important, special day. Being involved in something that lives on far beyond that single day, as a photo and a memory, is something I feel deep responsibility and reward in.

We generally travel directly to and from shoot locations, often with a lot of gear, and some days take us far from home. There are hot days, cold days, and rainy days, and I think people who can enjoy all of that are well suited to this work. Because location shooting is our focus, careful consideration for the photographer, the client, and the people of the town is essential. Someone who's always thinking, noticing, and acting on "how can we make this even better for them" thrives here. And because we're a small team, there are plenty of opportunities to take on new challenges. People who are attuned to new things and trends, and who can act on their own initiative, do well here.

I sometimes felt the pressure of how to carry forward the vision of everyone who built Libars, and whether I could give back to clients and meet their expectations. Putting into words what makes each client and Libars itself unique, and then internalizing that, was really challenging. I plan thoroughly so I can deliver photos and videos that exceed the expectations of everyone who chose Libars, and I give it everything I have to capture the moments that matter most to them.

I feel it's all worth it when a client tells me, "I'm so glad I left this to Moechi," or when a fellow crew member says, "I'm so glad Moechi was there."

We work flextime and fully remote, but once a month we have an in-person, company-wide meeting. I love that time, where instead of settling for the status quo, we talk about how we could do our daily work better and how we could deliver even more delight to our clients. Oh, and if you shoot in the rain, you get a little allowance for braving it. (laughs)

More than anything, I make it a priority to enjoy the shoot myself. I focus on being approachable in how I communicate with clients, and on working as one team with the crew and the client to capture photos and videos that truly reflect who the couple is.

Because I felt this was a company that truly engages with its clients' lives. What drew me in wasn't just the quality of the photography, but the way they honor each couple's background and feelings, working together to capture who they really are. I don't just want to get a job done — I want to be genuinely involved in someone's most important moments. Watching the words and attitude of the people I work alongside, I felt, "Here, I can give this everything I have," and "Here, I can grow as a person."

Since I film wedding videos, I get to talk directly with clients and share fun moments with them, and it feels most rewarding when they're thrilled after the shoot.

What I love about Libars is that clients invite us to the places that matter to them — a favorite spot, a familiar hangout, the site of a first date. It feels like we're exploring the country together, creating memories side by side with our clients wherever we go.

I'd love to push wedding films even further, toward creating movie-like videos with real storytelling.

I've shot other genres too, but I chose weddings because I get to connect directly with clients, and seeing them enjoying themselves and happy makes me happy too.

There are busy seasons when editing piles up all at once, which is tough, but as I edit, I remember the time I spent with the client during the shoot, imagining it playing at their wedding, and driven by wanting to make the best possible video, I somehow always get through it.

Usually my job ends once I hand the pre-wedding video over to the client, but when I've been invited to the actual wedding and watched my video play while seeing the clients' and guests' faces and reactions, or received warm words from clients after delivery, that's when I feel this job is truly worth doing.

While directing a shoot, I'm thinking about what kind of movement would look cute in this spot, or how beautiful the light is here — but when the client suggests a pose they think would be cute, or the hair and makeup artist suggests how to move here, and their ideas blend with ours, that's what makes the shoot exciting.

While editing, there are times when my style feels repetitive or I struggle to express something well, but by watching a wide range of genres beyond weddings — music videos, promotional videos, and more — and bringing in different techniques, I try to create videos that excite both myself and the client.

I direct the shoot, but I also make sure not to miss the couple's natural conversation, playful moments, and the atmosphere between them beyond what I'm directing.

On shoot days, I want to head straight home once it's over, so I edit in the morning, shoot when it's time, and go straight home afterward.
Since we're on flextime, if there's a concert I want to catch in the evening, I wrap up a bit early and make up the time the following week, or come in earlier that morning — I adjust freely like that.

It's tough every day. I have to stay attentive so small mistakes don't snowball into bigger ones, and that constant vigilance is what makes it hard.

When a teammate tells me they felt motivated, or that they were glad I was there, I feel like all my effort was worth it.

Above all, I make a point of listening and standing beside people, seeing things from their perspective rather than just laying down the law as a manager. I try to show them, "I'm your teammate, and everyone's mom!"

Because our team is small, there's plenty I need to take on outside my original role, which makes this a place that's easy to take on challenges in, and that lets you take them on.
Remote work is also a huge appeal — being fully remote lets me keep a good balance between raising kids and working.

I've lived abroad for 12 years myself, so I'm confident in my English, and I'd love to take charge of an overseas division and share what makes Libars special not just in Japan, but abroad too.

In a word, we get along really well. There isn't much of an age gap, and a lot of us share similar energy and drive, so the team is full of spirited people with real team strength.

My impression is that most people here have a clear sense of who they want to become, and hold onto that firmly.

Someone with nothing but a challenger's spirit. Being a small company means rapid growth is possible in a short time — that's the appeal of a startup. I think people who want to push themselves further, who have specific things they want to achieve through Libars, and who are ready to take on challenges outside their own role, are a great fit.
On the flip side, since there's so much you could be doing, someone who tends to wait for instructions probably isn't as well suited here.

Back office work isn't very visible from the outside, but when a teammate tells me, "That really helped," I feel that we're creating something moving as a whole team. That's when I really feel Libars' team strength, and I think a culture where even small things earn genuine thanks is exactly what makes Libars, Libars.

I try to respond quickly so that any anxiety or worry the client has is put to rest, and I choose words and phrasing that put them at ease.
When answering a client's question, I try to give a little more than what was asked, always from the client's point of view.

I feel it's worth it when a fellow crew member on-site tells me how much I helped, or when a client shares kind words after a shoot.
The creators at Libars are people I genuinely respect, so when clients speak well of them, it deepens that respect even more, and I feel proud to work alongside them.

With flextime and remote work in place, I love being able to work flexibly around my own lifestyle.
When I need to focus, I work from home; when I need to coordinate with the team, I come into the office — it's a way of working that suits me perfectly.
I also think it's one of Libars' great strengths that we can value time with family for things like marriage leave, a child's birth leave, and other life milestones.

I want to share what makes Libars special with an even wider audience.
We already get invited to shoot by clients all across Japan, but I really feel we should be spreading that appeal worldwide too, and I want to help make that happen from the back office.

When a client tells me, "I can't wait for the day," or "I'm so glad I chose this dress," I feel that my work truly connects to someone's special day. Even the smallest comment moves me every time.

When creating a dress, I get excited exchanging ideas about how to make it even more beautiful and watching it take shape. The process of trial and error, gradually getting closer to the ideal, is a lot of fun. And the sense of accomplishment when what I envisioned finally comes together is something unique to this job.

I feel Libars' true character most strongly when team members' individual convictions clash. Rather than just conflict, it naturally becomes a space where everyone speaks their mind and searches together for the better answer — I find that really striking. It's rare to find an environment where people can voice opinions this openly, regardless of age or title.

I make a point of sharing with the shoot team what I noticed about the couple during their fitting. It's not just practical details — the casual conversation during the fitting, the reason behind choosing that dress. Since Libars' photography reflects who someone truly is, sharing that personal context in advance feels essential. Being in the unique position of meeting clients in person before the shoot, I try to serve as the bridge to the team on location.

It's when, having shared what I learned about the couple during the fitting, the on-site team tells me, "That really helped," or "Knowing that in advance put us at ease." Realizing that my small bit of preparation helped shape the atmosphere of the shoot is a genuinely happy moment. It tells me that what I can do in my role is truly making a difference.

I joined as a dress stylist, but I've since been entrusted with a wide range of tasks beyond customer service — administration, management, and communication with outside partners. As my role has expanded, I feel my growth in the fact that I'm needed for more than just styling.

Since I handle most of the work alone, I had to grasp and manage everything myself, which felt tough at times.
But once I started thinking of it as "putting together a puzzle,"
that pressure turned into enjoyment.
Building the optimal flow like a game has become one of the things I enjoy most about this job.

It's when I receive heartfelt messages like, "The shoot was so much fun!", "They complimented my dress!", or "The dress was too cute to take off!" Because I'm right there through every fitting and every message exchange, kind words from clients mean even more to me. When I can feel how much they enjoyed it through their messages and the delivered photos, I could look at those pictures forever — that's when I really feel, "I love this job."

I find the flextime system especially appealing. It's rare in the bridal industry, but there are days I can take weekends off, in an environment that fits my own rhythm of life. I work hard when needed and can wrap up early to spend time with friends or on hobbies, and I'm grateful for how easy it makes drawing a clear line between work and personal time.

It's a lively, bright workplace. The team gets along so well that I genuinely look forward to coming in just to see everyone.
Since I usually work alone at the atelier, days when someone else is in the office feel especially good, and I naturally find myself looking forward to going in.

Myself included, I feel like a lot of us have that enthusiast streak — the kind of people who can get completely absorbed in what they love.
There's real vitality in how quickly people act on their interests, and a rich range of things to talk about.
There's a bright atmosphere where we share what we love and inspire each other along the way.

I feel that people who take action, and who hold respect and consideration for others, are well suited here.
Because we work so closely with teammates from different fields, it's essential to be able to imagine the other person's position and background before acting.
I also believe that mindset naturally carries over into how you treat clients.

I don't want Curre to exist simply because Libars does — I want to grow it into a brand people choose on its own merit.
I learn every day by watching how the Libars team works, and being in an environment where my own actions directly shape how fast we grow feels like pressure, but also real excitement.
I want to keep building carefully, one step at a time, and rise to the challenge of expanding what Curre stands for.