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About

  • Professional photographer, born in 1970 and based in Osaka, Japan.

  • Introduction to photography at age 15.

  • Over 30 years of practice in minimalist photography.

  • Deep influence of Chinese culture, traditional Asian painting, and philosophy.

  • Graduation in Landscape Architecture and move to Switzerland in 1994.

  • Initiation of a long-term project on Lake Geneva (Léman) in 1995.

  • Nine years of commercial and academic monochrome studio work.

  • Focus on landscape photography since 2004.

  • Permanent settlement in Japan for family and professional reasons.

  • Exploration of all 47 prefectures to photograph landmarks embodying timelessness, simplicity, and mystery.

  • Ongoing project on Buddhist statuary and sacred sites.

  • Publications, books, and exhibitions in galleries and museums worldwide.

  • Multiple international photography awards and jury member for competitions.

  • Organizing Photo Tours in Japan, where photographers capture its culture and landscapes through a philosophical and ethical lens.

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EXHIBITIONS

Since 2022, exhibitions have been paused to prioritize photographic production and the writing of articles.

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2021

  • France, Annecy, Espace 55: from July 7th to September 2nd 2021.

  • Group exhibition - Lacs & Minimalisme - Curated by Galerie 361, Annecy, France.​

2020

  • All Exhibitions cancelled (COVID-19)​​

2019

  • 3 Honorable Mentions at the Monochrome Awards 2018. London, UK.

  • Bronze Medal at the Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) 2018. Tokyo, Japan.

  • 2nd Place, Silver Star Medal at the ND Photography Awards 2018. London, UK.

  • 4 Nominations at the Black & White Spider Awards 2018. Beverly Hills, USA.

  • 3 Honorable Mentions at the International Photography Awards 2018. Los Angeles, USA.

  • 2nd Place of the Monovisions Photography Awards 2018. London, UK.

  • 2 Honorable Mentions at the Monovisions Photography Awards 2018. London, UK.

  • Finalist of the Black & White Contest 2018 by Dodho Magazine. Barcelona, Spain.

  • Gold Medal at the Prix de la Photographie Paris 2018. Los Angeles, USA.

  • 3rd Prize Winner at the Prix de la Photographie Paris 2018. Los Angeles, USA.

  • 1st Prize, 2 Gold Medals at the Moscow International Foto Awards 2018. Moscow, Russia.

  • 2nd Prize & 3rd Prize, Silver & Bronze Medals at the Moscow International Foto Awards 2018. Moscow, Russia.

  • 1 Honorable Mention at the Moscow International Foto Awards 2018. Moscow, Russia.

  • 3rd Prize Winner of the Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA) 2018. London, UK.

  • 2 Nominations at the Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA) 2018. London, UK.

  • Top 35 Black & White + Top 10 Switzerland Photographers at the 35 International Photo Award 2017. Moscow, Russia.

  • 3 Silver Medals at the Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) 2017. Tokyo, Japan.

  • 1 Honorable Mention at the Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) 2017. Tokyo, Japan.

  • 3rd Prize of the International Photographer of the Year 2017. London, UK.

  • 2 Honorable Mentions at the International Photographer of the Year 2017. London, UK.

  • 3rd place Winner at the Monochrome Awards 2017. London, UK.

  • 9 Honorable Mentions at the Monochrome Awards 2017. London, UK.

  • Gold Medal of the ND Awards 2017. London, UK.

  • Bronze Medal of the ND Awards 2017. London, UK.

  • 2 Honorable Mentions at the ND Awards 2017. London, UK.

  • Nominee at the Photography Grant 2017. London, UK.

  • Honorable Mention & 4 Nominations at the Black & White Spider Awards 2017. Beverly Hills, USA.

  • 4 Honorable Mentions at the International Photography Awards 2017. Los Angeles, USA.

  • 2nd Prize of the Monovisions Photography Awards 2017. London, UK.

  • 2 Honorable Mentions at the Monovisions Photography Awards 2017. London, UK.

  • 1st Prize, Gold Medal of the Moscow International Foto Awards 2017. Moscow, Russia.

  • 2nd Prize, Silver Medal of the Moscow International Foto Awards 2017. Moscow, Russia.

  • 3rd Prize (Fine Art Landscape) of the Prix de la Photographie Paris (Px3) 2017. Los Angeles, USA.

  • 3rd Prize (book) of the Prix de la Photographie Paris (Px3) 2017. Los Angeles, USA.

  • 2nd Prize Winner of the Fine Art Photography Awards 2017. London, UK.

  • 5 Nominations at the Fine Art Photography Awards 2017. London, UK.

  • Finalist of the Siena International Photo Awards 2017. Siena, Italy.

  • Finalist of the Black & White Contest - The Center for Fine Art Photography 2017. Fort Collins, USA.

  • 3rd Prize of the Photography Festival of Strasbourg 2017. Strasbourg, France.

  • 1st Prize of the International Photographer of the Year 2016. London, UK.

  • 3rd Prize of the International Photographer of the Year 2016. London, UK.

  • 1st Prize of the ‘Photographe-Voyageur’ competition, Geneva Book Fair 2016, Switzerland.

  • Finalist of the Contemporary Talents Contest, François Schneider Foundation 2015, France.

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AWARDS (2015-2018)

PUBLICATIONS, PRESS

  • Publication on Japanese Castles for the Royal Society for Asian Affairs, London, UK: Special invitation, July 2025

  • Monochrome Masters Volume 01, Photographize Editor, North Bethesda, MD, USA: Special invitation, June 2025

  • 100 Photographize Best Selected Annual Book vol. 1, North Bethesda, MD, USA: Special invitation, December 2020

  • Musée de l'Elysée Lausanne, Switzerland: 'Nuit des images' (with Musée du Léman, Nyon), June 2019

  • Le Temps Newspaper (print edition and online), Switzerland: Le Japon dans le viseur de l'appareil photo, December 2018

  • Black & White Best Photographers of the Year (book), Spain: Dodho Magazine Awards, September 2018

  • B&W Minimalism Magazine (print edition) #11, Iran: Interview and publication, June 2018

  • Dodho Photography Magazine (website), Spain: Huang Shan by Olivier Robert, June 2018

  • Dodho Photography Magazine (website), Spain: Hokkaido, the Silence of Winter by Olivier Robert, May 2018

  • PhotoPlace Gallery USA: Exhibition catalog, May 2018

  • 12th annual Black & White Spider Awards, USA: Winners Video, April 2018

  • Photogrvphy & Grant (website): Olivier Robert, Fragments of Lakes, March 2018

  • Monovisions Black & White Photography Magazine, UK: Olivier Robert : Japan Coastlines, March 2018

  • France Télévision (France3): reportage about the exhibition 'Statuaire et sites sacrés du Japon', February 2018

  • Monochrome Awards Annual Book: 3rd Prize Winner of the 2017 competition, January 2018

  • Black & White Spider Awards, USA: The Journal Collection #9, January 2018

  • Szeroki Kadr Photography Magazine, Poland: Interview, January 2018

  • Dodho Photography Magazine, Spain: Interview, December 2017

  • Krisal Gallery, Switzerland: 25th Anniversary book, December 2017

  • Monovisions Black & White Photography Magazine, UK: Olivier Robert : from Léman to Biwa, November 2017

  • Go Out! Mag (print edition magazine), Switzerland: 'Japon intemporel par le photographe Olivier Robert', September 2017

  • Temps libre Magazine (website), Switzerland: 'Le Japon vu par Olivier Robert, Voyageurs du Monde, Genève', September 2017

  • Suisse Romande Magazine (website), Switzerland: 'Exposition photo Japon intemporel par Olivier Robert', September 2017

  • Signé Genève (web magazine), Switzerland: 'Japon intemporel par le photographe Olivier Robert', September 2017

  • Color my Geneva (web magazine), Switzerland: 'Japon intemporel par le photographe Olivier Robert', September 2017

  • Gem (agenda de la Genève multiculturelle), Switzerland: 'Japon intemporel chez Voyageurs du Monde Genève', September 2017

  • La décadanse (web magazine), Switzerland: 'Japon intemporel chez Voyageurs du Monde Genève', September 2017

  • Competence Photo Magazine (website), Switzerland: 'Japon intemporel' d'Olivier Robert, September 2017

  • Dodho Photography Magazine (print edition) #4, Spain: Japan, Waterscape and Beyond, August 2017

  • Consulate of Japan in Geneva (website), Switzerland: 'Automne de la culture japonaise', July 2017

  • B&W Minimalism (print edition) #5, Iran: Magazine cover, June 2017

  • Activ Mag (print edition magazine), France & Switzerland: 'Japon, Au-delà du réel' (by Mélanie Marullaz), June 2017

  • Korea International Photo Festival, Seoul, Korea: Catalog, May 2017

  • Dodho Photography Magazine (website), Spain: Léman by Olivier Robert, May 2017 

  • B&W Minimalism (website), Iran: article and portfolio online, April 2017

  • Nippon Camera (print edition magazine), Japan: Exhibitions, April 2017

  • Japan Design Net (web magazine), Japan, March 2017

  • Capa Camera Magazine (website), Japan, March 2017

  • B&W Minimalism (web magazine) #3, Iran, February 2017

  • Tribune de Genève (newspaper), Switzerland: ‘7 manières d’aimer l’art’, November 2016

  • My Big Geneva (website), Switzerland: ‘Art7 Carouge’, November 2016

  • Bilan Magazine (website), Switzerland. Etienne Dumont, Art critic, November 2016

  • Beaux Quartiers (print edition magazine) #28, Grenoble, France, Autumn 2016

  • B&W Minimalism (web magazine) #1, Iran, October 2016

  • L’Impartial de la Drôme (newspaper), France: ‘Découvrez l’univers d’Olivier Robert’ (by Laurent Thiot), May 2016

  • L’Alpe (print edition magazine) #72, France: ‘Nos livres vous ouvrent des horizons’, April 2016

  • L’Echo (print edition magazine) #39, Switzerland: ‘Lacs du monde, la vision exaltée d’Olivier Robert’ (by Katherine Friedli), March 2016

  • Nat’Images (print edition magazine), France. February / March 2016

  • Réponses Photo (print edition magazine), France : ‘Photos de lacs’, February 2016

  • L’Alpe (print edition magazine), France. January / March 2016

  • Profession Photographe (print edition magazine), France: ‘Livres’ (by Emilie Quittemelle), January / February 2016

  • Radio interview (Curieux.digital, Pierre-Michel Meier), Geneva, Switzerland: ‘le bonheur à l’N’vY’, January 2016

  • La Vie Nouvelle (print edition magazine), France: ‘Des clics et des lacs’ (by Jean-Louis Roux), January 8th 2016

  • Shiga TV Channel, Japan: Presentation of the book 'Miroirs d'eau, du Léman au Biwa' by Ms. Sarasa Yoshida, January 2016

  • France Net Info, (website), France, December 2015

  • Wevamag (website), France: ‘L’eau en pose B’, December 2015

  • Biba Magazine (website), France: ‘Spécial Noël, Les beaux livres’ (by Evelyne Eveno), December 2015

  • Paris Match (magazine) #3474, Switzerland: Fine art books (by Frédéric Finot), December 2015

  • Tribune de Genève (newspaper), Switzerland, December 2015

  • Tribune de Genève (website), Switzerland, December 2015

  • 24 heures (newspaper), Vaud, Switzerland: ‘Miroirs, mes beaux miroirs’ (by Philippe Dubath), December 2015

  • 24 heures (website), Vaud, Switzerland: ‘Les beaux miroirs d’Olivier Robert’ (by Philippe Dubath), December 2015

  • Le Point (print edition magazine), France: ‘Supplément Livres’, November 2015

  • 24 heures (newspaper), Vaud, Switzerland: ‘le musée du Léman offre un voyage lacustre singulier’, November 2015

  • La Côte (newspaper), Vaud, Switzerland: ‘les lacs s’exposent au Musée du Léman', November 2015

  • La Côte (website), Vaud, Switzerland: ‘les eaux dormantes’ (by Daniel Bujard), November 2015

  • Photo-Theoria (web magazine) #3, by Ms Nassim Daghighian, art historian, November 2015

  • Musée du Léman (website), Nyon, Switzerland: ‘Photographies d’Olivier Robert’, November 2015

  • Association Suisse Japon (website), Switzerland: Events, November 2015

  • Nyon Region Tourisme (website), Switzerland: Events, November 2015

  • Payot bookstore (website), Switzerland: ‘Chronique Payot’, October 2015

  • Sélection magazine (print edition), Payot, Geneva, Switzerland: ‘Clichés hors du temps’ (by Anne-Sylvie Sprenger), October 2015

  • Grand Genève (website), Switzerland: cultural events, October 2015

  • Musée du Léman, Nyon, Switzerland: ‘Programme des expositions 2015’, January 2015

  • Tout l’Immobilier (newspaper) #733, Geneva, Switzerland: ’40 photographies au fil de l’eau’, August 2014

  • Photography Served (website), New York, USA: Leman project selected and featured online, 2012

  • Prisma Presse (print edition magazine), Paris, France: Prima Maison #2, 2005

  • Genève Expositions, Switzerland: permanent and temporary exhibitions booklet, 2005

  • Synergie Editions (print edition magazine), France: Pass’Port, 2004

  • Var Matin (newspaper), France: press articles, 2004

  • Humaterra Magazine (website), France: online portfolio, 2004

  • Arrimage (website), France: online interview, 2003

COMMERCIAL WORKS

  • 35 Awards, Russia: Judge for the Photography contest 2019

  • Biwako Hotel shop, Otsu City, Japan, 2017

  • Ramsar Convention, Switzerland: Judge for the World Wetlands Day Photography contest 2017

  • Jacques Boesch (author), Switzerland: ‘Bleu filigrane’, retrospective book, 2017

  • Japan Preview (online magazine) France - Japan : permanent collaboration since 2014

  • Claire-Vision Editions, Belgium: calendar, 12 photographs, 2008

  • Claire-Vision Editions, Belgium: Claire-Vision MAG, Newsletter #8, 2008

  • Claire-Vision Editions, Belgium: ‘Les Droits de la Terre’, 6 high quality cards, 2007

  • Agence Nelly Rodi, Paris, France: illustration of ’Observatoire des Tendances du Jardins’ booklet, 2005

  • Credit Agricole Asset Managment, Paris, France: booklets illustration, 2005

  • Cartimage, Paris, France: high quality cards for companies, 2004-2005

  • Givaudan, France: professional documents, 2004

  • Elyo (Groupe Suez), France: professional documents, 2004

  • Agence Nelly Rodi Paris, France: cover and illustration of ‘Observatoire des Tendances du Jardins’ booklet, 2004

  • Chick’n’Peas, Geneva, Switzerland: exclusive series, 2004

  • Photogenie Editions, France: exclusive series for professional documents, 2003

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