London Photo Show 2025 | Noemie Decaen
The London Photo Show is back! Six photographers of the Urban Photographers Club community will be exhibiting their latest work! As they sit down with Victor Sanchez to discuss their projects, it is our pleasure to (re)introduce them and their photographs to you!
© Noemie Decaen
Our next photographer is Noemie Decaen!
Noémie Decaen is a French-Japanese woman based in London. Since a young age, she has had a passion for the arts, photography, and music.
She grew up in Paris, a city that forever resonates within her—and moved to London in 2014.
After years of shooting on and off, mostly focusing on travel and portrait photography, she developed a deeper interest in street photography. She seeks the real, the funny, the weird, and the beautiful in the streets—celebrating people and life. Most of her photography can be found on her Instagram account.
In 2023 and 2024, she joined the teams of SPOT and the Urban Photographers Club, two amazing communities that celebrate street photography internationally.
Her recent trip to Japan profoundly impacted both her practice and her heart—you can now discover some of those photographs here.
She also shares monthly music playlists on her Instagram and Spotify.
It has always been about sharing, growing, and exchanging with others—and it always will be.
VS: What inspired you to curate this particular collection of photographs for your exhibition?
ND: This selection of photographs comes from a larger collection I shot during a deeply personal, month-long trip to Japan in 2024. Being half Japanese, I had visited before, but it was my first time going on my own.
I used photography to express the words I couldn’t always speak, and the emotions I couldn’t always process. I felt truly happy in the Japanese streets, capturing vibrant energy, colours, characters—things that felt familiar and close to my heart.
To this day, I think some of these images are my best work. Something happened there that I’m still trying to find again since coming back. So yes, this collection is a very personal breath of creativity and inspiration!
© Noemie Decaen
VS: Could you share some insights into the creative process behind these photographs?
ND: To capture these images, I used different approaches—switching between "hunter" and "fisher" modes, adapting my behaviour depending on what I wanted to shoot.
The calmer shots are ones I took my time to frame carefully and get just right. The more vivid ones were snapped quickly, in the moment, when an opportunity appeared.
I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way to do photography, you’ve got to find your own.
© Noemie Decaen
VS: What emotions or messages do you hope viewers will take away from experiencing your exhibition?
ND: I hope to convey how I see Japan, “my” Japan. It’s multi-layered, multi-generational, kind, and intense. I view it through the eyes of a HAFU (a person of mixed Japanese heritage): familiar, but also with a distinct Western perspective.
I love the idea of challenging how Japan is typically captured, and I’ll keep refining my style with future trips.
There’s so much happening in this country, and the atmosphere can shift from one city to another. As a photographer, it’s an endlessly inspiring place.
© Noemie Decaen
VS: Are there any specific stories or moments from your photography that you would like to highlight in this exhibition?
ND: I often get asked about the shot of the guy by the vending machine and the one with the security guards.
So, no, the vending machine shot wasn’t posed. I noticed the lighting, and then a man appeared. I positioned myself, and luckily, he turned to face me—I would’ve been disappointed if he’d walked the other way!
As for the security guards, I saw them all lined up and noticed one was about to turn toward me. The yawn was a bonus—I was really happy with that one.
The wedding scene was just a wild thing to witness—only in Japan!
And I truly love the photo of the woman watching from the window. Her subtle presence adds a quiet mystery to the frame—it can be interpreted in so many ways.
I’m always happy to connect, so if you have any questions about a shot, feel free to reach out!
VS: How do you see your photography evolving in the future, and how might that influence your future exhibitions?
ND: There’s always room for growth! I think my photography will keep evolving as I continue practising, it’s not something I see going in one fixed direction. The day it does, I’ll probably get bored!
Exhibiting is such a fun experience, and I hope to create more opportunities to do so now and then. I’ve also been thinking about books and zines—maybe in good time.
So yes, plenty of exciting projects ahead!
VS: What has been your experience with UPC in regards to this exhibition?
ND: UPC has always held a special place in my heart, so I was excited to join this project, knowing I’d be surrounded by great people and advice.
It’s been wonderful to push myself, supported by a community I trust.
© Noemie Decaen