Tess Ayano is a Japanese-American photographer and director. Now based between New York and Tokyo, Tess spent her childhood in Japan before moving to the United States in her teens.

Inspired by the transitory nature of life, which she describes as deeply rooted in Japanese culture and philosophy, Tess aims to create intimate vignettes from quiet and ordinary moments. “I find impermanence beautifully melancholic, and photographs let me notice and revisit those moments and stories that pass through our lives. I also find people fascinating and endearing, and I know I’ll never run out of interesting people to photograph.”

Her subjects appear completely at ease in front of her lens, a firm nod to Tess’ strength in building trust with those she photographs, and a sentiment celebrated throughout her personal project, Japanese New Yorkers, an ongoing portrait and film series of Japanese and Japanese-Americans living in New York.

Tess’ thoughtful and organic approach to image-making has led to commissions with Chanel, Dior, Mastermind, Vogue, and The New York Times, photographing and filming notable subjects including Jennifer Lawrence, Anya Taylor Joy, Penelope Cruz, Rosamund Pike, Ruth Negga, Uma Thurman, Rosé Park and Gigi Hadid.