Tomoaki Hata is a photographic artist with over 25 years of experience. He began his career as a wedding photographer to support himself while pursuing a doctoral program in sociology and media studies. Alongside this work, he began documenting Japan's hidden underground subcultures, capturing the Japanese drag ball scene, BDSM parties, burlesque shows, and more. His unique documentation earned acclaim and was published in Japan and the U.S. in 2010.
Specializing in cultural events overlooked by the mainstream, Hata brings a sociological and anthropological lens to his work. He has also leveraged his extensive knowledge of modern Japanese culture to contribute to projects like the compilation of a history of Japanese photography. Currently, he divides his time between New York and Japan, working on various projects.
