A Photography Trip to London

Did you really go to London just to take photos?

Yes. I went purely because I wanted to photograph cars. I chose London because I thought the contrast between its streets and the supercars would be beautiful, and I wanted to see it for myself.

I spent the whole day taking pictures of cars. I wasn’t interested in sightseeing, so when I had a little free time, I thought, “I should at least take a quick look at Buckingham Palace, since it’s so famous.” That was about it. (laughs)

I went in the summer, when London is a popular summer retreat for wealthy people from Dubai. Incredible cars owned by Dubai’s super-rich were everywhere.

Did you see cars there that you’d never find in Japan?

The caliber of the cars was just incredible. You might see some of them in Tokyo, but there were so many cars you’d almost never come across in Kobe.

Bugattis, the 918 Spyder, and a six-wheel G-Class… There were museum-worthy cars just parked on the street. I also saw plenty of Rolls-Royces and Bentleys. It really felt like “this is Britain, after all.”

The customizations were wild, too. Some cars were absolutely covered in gold. They were so over-the-top that I found myself thinking, “Do these people have an unlimited supply of money?”

I also think cars look cool overseas because the license plates blend in with the design so well. I wish Japan had plates like that.

3) A Car Photographer’s Dreams for the Future

A Little about Life Outside Photography

Out of the blue, what’s your type?

Wow, that really is out of the blue! Let me think… I can’t come up with an answer right away, but if I get married, I wouldn’t want my partner telling me what to do with my hobbies.

I guess I’d also value having similar values—that may sound pretty conventional, but it matters to me.

You’re in your fourth year of university. Are you job hunting?

I’m right in the middle of job hunting. My parents tell me to “make sure you get a proper job,” but I haven’t figured out what I want to do in the future yet.

…Though at this point, I really should make a decision soon. (laughs)

After graduation, should I keep pursuing the hobby I’m passionate about, or get a job and take car photos in my spare time and on weekends?

I want to own the supercars and sports cars I’ve always admired someday, and realistically, I wonder if photography alone will get me there. Maybe it could if I became exceptionally successful at it…

So maybe it would make more sense to start by getting a well-paying job…

On the other hand, many of the people whose cars I photograph have started their own businesses, and I’d like to be independent, too. They tell me, “If you want to start a business, you should just do it soon.” I’m still weighing it all up.

Would you rather work within an organization or make your own decisions and work independently?

Hmm… I’m not really a fan of being told what to do. (laughs) I think I’m probably better suited to working for myself.

Lately, though, I’ve been thinking that it might be hard to make a living from photography alone, so video could be another option.

I mentioned earlier the person I met on the Royu Driveway three years ago. He’s recently bought video equipment to film his own car, so I’ve been wondering if I could learn about making videos from him. I’ve got a lot to think about.

The Royu Driveway

What makes the Royu Driveway special?

All kinds of car enthusiasts gather at Royu—from owners of the latest sports cars and rare supercars to people with classic Porsches. It’s fascinating to talk with them and hear things you’d never normally get the chance to hear.

A lot of the people who come to Royu are friendly and easy to talk to. I can’t tell if they’re joking or serious when they casually ask, “Want to drive it?”—even when it’s an unbelievably expensive car. (laughs)

I don’t know what many of them do for a living, but our shared love of cars gives us plenty to talk about, and we become friends. You don’t find an atmosphere like that just anywhere. Especially in Kansai, I can’t think of anywhere else quite like Royu.

What car would you like to buy someday?

I’d have to say a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. I love the way it looks and sounds. I’ve heard from owners that it’s surprisingly usable as an everyday car, which makes it even more appealing. I love blue, so a blue F12 would be amazing.

But I see so many cool cars that it’s hard to choose… Lamborghinis are amazing, and the 911 Turbo S Cabriolet is incredibly cool, too. Decisions, decisions. (laughs)

Can you show us your favorite photo so far?

Sure. I’m happy to show you my photos, but I have so many favorites that it’s hard to pick just one. If I had to choose, I’d say these are among them.

What are your dreams and goals for the future?

I want to buy my own supercar and bring it to places where sports cars and supercars gather, like Royu.

“The guy who used to spend all his time taking photos at Royu has now turned up in a supercar he bought himself!” (laughs)

I think the people who’ve supported me there would be happy to see that.

There are lots of great places to photograph cars in Japan—in Kyoto, in the great outdoors, and all across the country. But they’re often far away or reached by narrow, hard-to-drive roads, which can make it difficult to get there and shoot.

If I had my own car, I could go wherever I wanted without worrying about that. So yes, I’ll have to buy a car of my own someday. If I start getting photography requests every day, maybe I’ll be able to make that dream come true. I’ll keep working hard!

■See more of KUGATTI’s beautiful photos or get in touch to book a car photo shoot↓↓
・Twitter: @V12_SCL
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・For photography inquiries, email: kugatti.photo@gmail.com
＊Photo source: @V12_scl

【Editor’s Note】
When I heard “college student and car photographer,” it sounded so unusual and compelling that I assumed he must have been featured in newspapers and on TV and quickly found himself in the position he’s in today.
But after talking with him, I learned that it’s really the result of his genuine love of cars, steady hard work, and the courage to put himself out there.
His photos are undeniably beautiful, but Yuki is also gracious and well-mannered, and a pleasure to talk to. I felt that those qualities are part of what draws so many car owners to him. Thank you, Yuki!