Hello, and thank you for visiting my page.
My name is Elvira Kinzhaeva.

I am a creator, photography enthusiast, and researcher with a curious mind who loves exploring new ideas and perspectives.

About Me

I was born on February 14, 2000, in a small town in the Arkhangelsk region of northwest Russia.
At 18, I moved to Vladivostok in the Russian Far East, where I studied Oriental Studies with a focus on Japanese history and language at Far Eastern Federal University, earning my bachelor's degree.
For my thesis, I researched the history of contemporary Japanese art through photography.

Career & Current Studies

After graduation, I worked as an inbound tourism manager at a travel company in Tokyo.
I am currently pursuing a master's degree at the Graduate School of International Media, Communication and Tourism Studies at Hokkaido University.

Research Focus

My research explores the intersection of tourism, photography, and visual culture.
I am especially interested in why tourists edit their photos and how those edits impact the perceived authenticity of tourist destinations.

I believe photography is more than just documentation—it is a powerful form of self-expression and cultural storytelling.