“Dedicated to your story, committed to our craft.”

— Miwaza Jemimah

Independent Multi-Talented Creative with 20 Years of Experience

NAME

Miwaza Jemimah Francis

みわざジェマイマ・フランシス

b.1989

Tokyo, Japan

Past and present clients include

CANON, Shiseido, NHK, Criteo, Google, U.S.-Japan Council, Calbee, Japan Crate, FIBA, TALEX, American School in Japan, AVODA Group

Miwaza Jemimah is a multi-talented creative professional known for her work as an award-winning photographer, video producer, designer, published painter, entrepreneur, and web developer. With a passion for pursuing creativity and a mission to share a message of hope with the world, Miwaza began her career as a freelance photographer and entrepreneur at the age of 14, and has continued to expand her business ever since.

With a multicultural background and a nomadic lifestyle, Miwaza brings a unique perspective to her work as a bilingual Japanese artist, full of passion and empathy. She is committed to showcasing diversity and life in the stories she captures, finding joy in connecting with people through storytelling. Miwaza believes that storytelling can bring people together, and is dedicated to using her creative talents to make a positive impact on the world.

Since 2004

TESTIMONIAL_01

"I've been acquainted with her since her early years. She's a straightforward, quiet, and adorable girl with a simple impression. Then, after about five years had passed, I received an email saying, 'I'm into photography and making movies! I want to learn, so please tell me what movies I should watch!' I remember replying, 'Wow, she's already better than me. Let's collaborate soon!' She started her photography studio at the age of 14, and she's even better at movies than I am, despite having 20 years of experience. Her graphical sense, mastery of lenses and lighting, sense of pacing in motion – I witnessed the arrival of the digital cinema generation, even though the term 'digital native' wasn't around then.”

- Film Producer, Director, Cinematographer (JAPAN)

“彼女のことは、小学生のころから知っている。素直で大人しく可愛らしい、素朴な印象の女の子。そして5年くらい経過したある日、「写真やってます！ムービーも撮ってます！勉強したいので映画なにを観れば良いか教えてください！」ってメールがきて。。。『うわっ、なにこれ、すでに僕よりうまいじゃん、すぐ仕事しよう！」ってメール返した覚えがある。 14才で写真スタジオやりだし、ムービーも20年選手の自分より上手い。。グラフィカルなセンス、レンズとライティングの妙、動きの尺感覚、たしかまだデジタルネイティブって言葉はなかったけど、デジタルシネマ世代の到来を僕は目撃したのだった。“

-映像プロデューサー・ディレクター・カメラマン (日本)

“Been shooting hundreds of portraits this week, and a few people said after seeing their photos, “I didn’t realize I look this good!”. Seeing them walk out of the office with newfound confidence reminded me of why I am passionate about my work, and it helps me continue to master my craft 🥷✨ I believe that we all possess our unique beauty, and sometimes it just takes a gentle push to recognize the radiance within us 🙏🏽”

- Miwaza Jemimah (April 21st, 2023)

Work

2004 - Present

Miwaza Productions

Founder

Tokyo Japan

Filming and producing commercial video for both local and international companies
Social media content creation (Plan/Film/Edit)
Filming documentaries for Japanese TV programs
Providing consultation on media content strategy
Providing advertisement photography service
Casting, styling, props
Web design
Graphic design (logos, brochures, posters etc)
Mentoring and coaching young creatives about storytelling mainly in the areas of photography and videography.
Translation of documentations/scripts from English to Japanese or vice versa
Providing remote filming package
Voice over service in Japanese and English
Brand Marketing Strategy Consultation

* All services are available in English and Japanese

2014

African Business Institute

Co-founder, Videographer, Photographer, and Designer

Lubowa, Uganda

Co-founded the business incubator in Lubowa, Uganda
Creation of creative content for social media
Web development
Project videography
Mentoring the students on storytelling and media

2010-2011

iamtheCODE

Creative Director

London, UK

Overseeing creative content
Documentary filmmaking
Overseeing the creative team
Personal Assistant for the Founder

“I’m grateful I never stopped creating because today, I can confidently say, ‘I’m proud of how far I come and who I become through this journey.’”

— Miwaza Jemimah

From Mitaka to the World

“through the lens of life”

After almost two decades, as I look through the lens of life, I realized that it was never a shattered dream. And this is that story.

It all started with just one tool: a homeschool dropout with a small point-and-shoot camera. I decided one day that I am a professional photographer, and I was 14 years old. The truth was photography and graphic design were the only things I could sit still and work on until I was satisfied with the work. Every time I created, I felt safe and alive. And I feel even more so now. I did not have much, but I had a simple idea. And my idea was to make living with what I had then.

“Every time I created, I felt safe and alive. And I feel even more so now.”

— Miwaza Jemimah

My business grew from photography/graphic design to something much bigger and from career to calling. It's been one of the longest, most challenging, and most rewarding journeys. It taught me patience, persistence, empathy, compassion, love, and more.

It took me literally all around the world. And the best part is the phenomenal humans and the beautiful stories I got to connect through it. And I'm so grateful for this job/calling for a million reasons.

Even during the most challenging times, when I was on the shoot or at production meetings, I felt confident and knew I mattered. It gave me a sense of purpose. When I focused on creating, I always felt like I was in a safe space, somewhere I could always return to.

When I was younger, I sometimes thought I chose the wrong career because I felt I wasn't "helping" people like nurses, doctors, teachers, or lawyers. But then I realized that the ways I get to serve people and the opportunities I have to help others just looked different from others. I stopped comparing and started embracing each chance I had. And I'm glad I didn't give up.

I'm grateful I never stopped creating because today, I can confidently say, "I'm proud of how far I come and who I become through this journey."

- Miwaza Jemimah

Testimonials

TESTIMONIAL_02

“Working with Miwaza was an absolute pleasure. She generously shares her infectious energy, creating a wonderfully comfortable and creative atmosphere that helped us relax and be our true selves in front of the camera. Her charm and sense of humour instantly put everyone at ease, resulting in natural expressions and remarkable results. Her photography skills are truly top-notch too. Having worked with Miwaza several times, we cannot recommend her highly enough. Her talent, energy, and charm make every shoot an absolute joy!”

Robin Lewis & Mariko McTier, Co-Founders of mymizu

FEATURED

Featured

2021

Finding Pride in Japan: Miwaza's story (Google)

“やっと自分がクィアであることに自信が持てた。恐怖よりも愛を選ぶことを学んだから。
過去には、周りからの非難で、自分の命を危険にさらしていた、今は、一緒にいて安全で安心できる人たちが見つかった。助けが必要なときは、助けを求めること、その大切さもわかった。
だから、これからも愛の道を選び続ける。
そして、少しづつだけれど、恐怖からの自由が見えてきた。”
- 御業ジェマイマ・フランシス (2019)

2022

'Somebody needs to start. Japanese women want to talk about things that matter'

Gerety Awards - Executive Jury 2022

“Members of the Gerety Awards Japan jury say more balanced gender representation in the industry would allow more stories to be told that women can relate to.”

Read more at: https://www.campaignasia.com/

“Gerety Awards2022 日本の審査員発表“

Gerety Awards - Executive Jury 2022

“Gerety Awardsは、「ダイヤモンドは永遠の輝き」というコピーを1948年に生み出したコピーライターFrances Gerety氏の名を冠した賞。2019年からスタートし、今回で4回目となる。審査員は全て女性が務める。市場の状況に即した広告の基準をつくるとともに、従来から求められてきた広告の基準を再定義することを目的としている。”

Read more at: https://mag.sendenkaigi.com/

**“The 256-Mile Trans Japan Alps Race Is Hard. Earning a Spot Is Downright Brutal“**

Article by Scott Yorko, Photography by Miwaza Jemimah

Read more at: https://www.runnersworld.com/