photo poster project | Manager Interview | Your Photos Are Yours Alone by Mina Sunada | ISSUE #146

The is an exhibition hosted by cizucu worldwide. By simply submitting your photos to cizucu, you can participate in the exhibition and connect with fellow photography enthusiasts you’ve never met before.

Launched in late December 2024, ppp has grown into a project that extends beyond Japan to international locations within just one year. The driving force behind this growth is the area managers who operate in various countries and cities.

This time, we spoke with Mina Sunada, the area manager supporting ppp operations in Japan (Kanto region).

Hello! I’m Mina Sunada, the area manager for the Kanto region.
I mainly oversee events held in Eastern Japan, centered around Tokyo.

Photography has always been a part of my life—whether it was family or friends taking photos, or me visiting photo exhibitions. However, my personal photography experience was limited to using a smartphone or disposable cameras.

Now, I find myself at ppp venues almost every week, chatting with camera and photography enthusiasts. Since I didn’t have much knowledge initially, every event brings new discoveries, and I never get bored, no matter how many times I participate (laughs).

When people hear the term 'photo exhibition,' they might imagine something formal and intimidating. However, ppp is very casual, creating an atmosphere where everyone can feel at ease. There are no requirements for photography experience or age, and even those without much knowledge can participate and enjoy the exhibitions as long as they love photography.

Most importantly, it’s a warm, welcoming, and passionate space where everyone is embraced. It’s a place where you can confidently express your love for photography and shine as a creator. That’s what I believe is the greatest charm of ppp.

The signature 'Messages of Love' feature at ppp allows visitors to send messages to the exhibited works, even if they are not exhibitors themselves. Personally, I love this feature.

It might seem like just an exchange of messages, but I encourage everyone to try it. Receiving heartfelt messages about your work, whether from familiar faces or anonymous individuals, resonates deeply in ways you might not expect.

Expressing love through words is simple yet incredibly beautiful.

While I’ve faced numerous troubles and unexpected events, honestly, the fun memories outweigh the challenges, so I don’t recall many 'difficult' moments (laughs).

That said, I do feel a bit nervous during overseas events, wondering if our vision for ppp will be properly conveyed. However, the overseas managers and staff share our enthusiasm, and by the end of the event, the joy far surpasses any initial worries.

When someone who participated before joins again, it makes me feel like our efforts are reaching people, and it’s truly rewarding.
Hearing reports like 'I held a solo exhibition thanks to ppp' or seeing participants bring their portfolios also makes me feel that our work is meaningful.

One particularly memorable moment was when someone told me, 'ppp changed my life.' I was so happy I almost cried.

We always strive to ensure participants feel 'it was worth joining.' This includes not only the content but also thoughtful communication and attention to detail.

What I value most is creating an environment where everyone can interact on equal terms.
Whether it’s staff, regular participants, or first-timers, regardless of age or photography experience, we aim to create a space where everyone can share their passion and express their love for photography freely.

So far, I’ve attended events in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, Sapporo, Sendai, Toyama, and Kanazawa. It’s fascinating how each city has its own unique 'color.'
Even within one country, the diversity in personalities and photography genres was an unexpected and delightful discovery.

I’d love to host events in more cities and meet even more unique individuals. I also encourage participants to visit other cities, as I believe they’ll encounter surprising connections and discoveries!

In today’s world, where social media and AI are rapidly evolving, I feel the value of directly sharing 'thoughts' and 'words' in real-life settings is increasing.
That’s why I hope more people will learn about and experience ppp. I wish for everyone’s photos to touch someone’s heart and become their reason to continue expressing themselves.

As ppp expands to more locations, I’m excited to see what new expressions and emotions we’ll encounter.

If you want to share your photos with others or connect with more people through photography, or even if you lack confidence in your photos, I encourage you to join!
I understand how it feels to lack confidence, as I’m not the most self-assured person myself. But your photos are uniquely yours, and only you can share their story.

Your photo can move someone’s heart.
We at would be delighted to help make that happen.

The growth of ppp is thanks to the area managers, volunteer staff worldwide, and the cizucu creators who continue to express themselves. Their collective passion and actions have allowed ppp to cross borders and reach people globally within just one year.

We will continue to deliver to new countries, regions, and people, staying true to our unwavering mission of 'discovering talent.'