Meet Yosh Hase | Yosh Hase | Photographer Documenting Cultures & Everyday Life

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yosh Hase and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yosh, why did you pursue a creative career?
I didn’t originally plan to pursue an artistic path. My professional background is actually in banking, and photography began as a personal curiosity rather than a career decision. Over time, however, it became something much deeper.

What drew me in was the ability of photography to document everyday life across different cultures. When I travel, I’m often fascinated by moments that may seem ordinary to the people living there but feel extraordinary to an outsider. Through photography, I try to preserve those quiet, authentic scenes : daily routines, traditions, and small human interactions that reveal how people live around the world.

I’m largely self-taught, and the process of learning photography on my own made the journey even more meaningful. What started as a creative outlet gradually became a way of storytelling and connection. Today, photography allows me to explore cultures, meet people from very different backgrounds, and share moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My photography focuses on documenting everyday life across cultures. I’m drawn to moments that may feel ordinary to the people living them, but extraordinary to someone seeing them from the outside. Through my work, I try to capture the quiet beauty of daily routines, traditions, and human connections in different parts of the world.

What sets my work apart is that photography was never my original profession. I work full-time in banking, and photography began as a personal curiosity. Over time, it became a passion and a way to explore the world more deeply. Being largely self-taught meant the learning process was not always easy. I spent years studying photography on my own, experimenting, making mistakes, and slowly developing my visual voice.

Travel has played a major role in shaping my work. Many of my photographs come from places where cultural traditions remain strong – from tribal communities in Ethiopia to traditional crafts in Vietnam and daily life in the Middle East and Japan. Each journey reminds me that photography is not only about images, but about trust, patience, and human connection.

One important lesson I’ve learned is that meaningful photographs often require time and humility. Building relationships with people, understanding local contexts, and approaching situations with respect are essential to telling authentic stories.

What I hope people see in my work is a sense of shared humanity. Despite cultural differences, many aspects of life – work, family, rituals, and everyday routines – connect us all. Through photography, I hope to share glimpses of lives that many people may never encounter, reminding us that beyond our own familiar worlds, there are countless others filled with their own rhythms, traditions, and humanity.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend were visiting Singapore for a week, I would try to show them both the well-known landmarks and the quieter everyday scenes that make the city special.

We would probably start around Marina Bay to take in the skyline, walking along the waterfront and visiting Gardens by the Bay. From there I’d take them to Chinatown and Little India, where the streets are full of color, culture, and great food.
Singapore’s hawker centers are essential, so we would definitely spend time at places like Maxwell Food Centre or Lau Pa Sat to try local dishes. Hawker culture is even recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, which shows how deeply food is connected to everyday life in Singapore.

I also love showing visitors neighborhoods that feel more lived-in and local. Tiong Bahru is one of my favorite areas to wander around, with its cafés, bookstores, and old architecture. Kampong Glam is another great place to explore, especially around Haji Lane with its street art and small creative shops.

Of course, since I’m a photographer, I would probably take them out early in the morning or late in the evening to walk around the city with cameras. Some of the most interesting moments in Singapore happen in ordinary places : markets opening for the day, people exercising in parks, or quiet streets before the city fully wakes up.

If they were feeling adventurous, we might even try a fun challenge: visiting three countries in one day, starting in Singapore, then crossing into Malaysia for lunch, and finishing the day with dinner in Batam, Indonesia.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a shoutout to the many people and communities that have supported my photography journey. Early on, being part of the Singapore Photography Group helped me learn from others and stay motivated while I was still discovering my own style. I’m also grateful to Sean Gallagher’s photography course and community, where exchanging ideas and feedback with other photographers continues to inspire me to grow.

At the same time, photography is never truly a solo pursuit. I’m thankful to the many local guides I meet during my travels who help me understand the culture and context of the places I visit. Most importantly, I want to thank the people who appear in my photographs. Their openness and trust allow me to document everyday moments that would otherwise remain unseen.

Website: https://www.within-the-frame.com/

Instagram: redonion1515

Image Credits
Yosh Hase