Take your Coffee Moment
'Take your Coffee Moment' is a global online photo contest curated by cizucu, open to all creators registered on cizucu. Outstanding submissions will be curated, with the aim of discovering new talent through the platform and supporting the community.
This edition’s theme is “Capturing the Creativity Hidden in Coffee”.
For metropolitan dwellers navigating the rapid pace of contemporary society, a coffee break serves as a pause in daily life. It relaxes the tension of pursuing goals and offers a moment to reflect on people, objects, and experiences from a broader perspective. Time spent with coffee becomes a source of inspiration; the relationships fostered by coffee soften our hearts, allowing us to find happiness and gratitude in small things.
Whether it’s savoring coffee in tranquil solitude, enveloped in rich aroma, or engaging in casual conversation at a corner coffee shop with a cup in hand—
What kind of inspiration do you find in these moments? Try capturing the ideas that spark in your mind while holding a cup of coffee, through photography and words.
This time, we are joined by two curators.
We invite you to read their interviews on the theme of “Capturing the Creativity Hidden in Coffee.”
Image by Kou
Curator Profiles
Kou.
Please introduce yourself and tell us about your usual activities.
My name is Kou. (Akifumi Takatsu), a physical therapist with a deep love for coffee. I post daily on Instagram, aiming to share the beauty of coffee and coffee-related equipment with the world.
What inspired you to start photographing coffee, and what do you enjoy about it?
During the pandemic, as fear of death and feelings of isolation grew, I wanted people to enjoy life more as a physical therapist. That led me to share the world of coffee, which helped me rediscover the joy of living, through photography on Instagram. Just as the weather changes every day, coffee also reveals a different character each day, which makes photographing it so enjoyable.
Could you recommend a café?
Allpress Espresso. Originally started as a small coffee cart in New Zealand, its remarkable flavor has captivated people, and now it partners with over 1,200 cafés, hotels, and restaurants worldwide as a coffee roaster and wholesaler. At the Kiyosumi Shirakawa location, you can watch the roasting process and enjoy coffee brewed by baristas who deeply understand Allpress Espresso beans. It’s a different experience from traditional Japanese coffee, and I encourage you to try coffee enjoyed around the world.
Kenta
Please introduce yourself and tell us about your usual activities.
Based in Fukuoka, I work as a barista, specializing in latte art using espresso and milk. I participate in competitions and conduct seminars for both the general public and fellow baristas.
What inspired you to start photographing coffee, and what do you enjoy about it?
Although I had posted before, during the COVID-19 lockdown, I wondered if I could share something about coffee from home. I began posting videos of my latte art, which many people have enjoyed. I always consider what designs people might enjoy and how my content can help others practice as I create my work.
Could you recommend a café?
Fukuoka is home to many wonderful cafés, each with its own charm—some with delicious sweets, others with excellent coffee, great atmosphere, or hospitality. I choose cafés depending on what I want to enjoy. Among them, I especially recommend FUK COFFEE.
Instagram: @ken_ken_
This time, the two curators’ beloved roasters
Allpress Espresso
FUK COFFEE
have kindly prepared special gifts for two selected participants.
We look forward to your submissions ☕️
Roaster Information
Allpress Espresso
Allpress Espresso is a coffee roaster founded in New Zealand in 1989 by Michael Allpress. From its beginnings selling espresso from a single cart, the company has been committed to flavor, and after adopting clean, consistent hot air roasting, this method has become standard across all its roasteries. Today, Allpress operates roasteries in New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and Japan, and its coffee is enjoyed at over 1,200 cafés and restaurants worldwide. Partner cafés and restaurants receive comprehensive support, including barista training and espresso machine maintenance and repair services, to ensure the highest quality in every cup.
■ Store Information
Address: 3-7-2 Hirano, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Weekdays 9:00–17:00, Weekends & Holidays 10:00–18:00
Nearest Station: Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line “Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station”
Official Website: Allpress Espresso
Instagram: @allpressespressojapan
*For other locations, please refer to the official website.
FUK COFFEE
FUK COFFEE is a community hub for travelers, designed to inspire the spirit of adventure. Currently, there are six locations: FUK (Fukuoka, Gion-machi), NGS (Nagasaki), OSA (Osaka), HIJ (Hiroshima), FUK Parks (Fukuoka, Ohori Park), and FUK Roastery (Fukuoka, Ozasa), with plans for further expansion nationwide. Each store is named after the three-letter airport code of its region, adding a playful touch as if touring airports across Japan. Each location has its own unique character, so we hope you enjoy exploring them. Now, take off on a journey to Japan’s three-letter coffee destinations!
■ Store Information
Address: 6-22 Gion-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture 1F
Hours: 8:00–20:00
Nearest Station: Subway Nanakuma Line “Kushida Shrine-mae Station”
Official Website: FUK COFFEE
Instagram: @fuk.coffee
*For other locations, please refer to the official website.
Contest Information
【Contest Period】
August 19, 2023 (Sat) – September 19, 2023 (Tue)
【How to Submit】
・Select the contest 'Take your Coffee Moment'
・Tap 'Agree to Submission Guidelines and Post'
・Select your content and submit your work
【Jury Criteria】
(1) Thematic Relevance: Does the submission align with the stated mission?
(2) Subject Focus: Is the photographer’s intent clearly conveyed?
(3) Expressiveness: Does the work demonstrate expressive qualities such as perspective, composition, balance, focus, and color?
(4) Timing: Has the decisive moment or timing of the subject been captured?
(5) Originality: Does the work display unique creativity in location, subject, or approach?