Kazuaki Koseki's firefly photography wins Aesthetica Editorial Award at Belfast Photo Festival

Kazuaki Koseki, a photographer from Japan, has been awarded the Aesthetica Editorial Award for the Open Submissions of the 2025 Belfast Photo Festival. His photographic series, Summer Faeries, captures the 10-day spectacle of himebotaru fireflies in the forests of Yamagata, taken on nights devoid of moonlight. Koseki highlights pressing environmental concerns, suggesting that the erratic light patterns of the fireflies symbolize the climate crisis while also conveying a sense of hope. His images evoke a fairytale aesthetic, showcasing golden spheres illuminated by blue hues. Koseki's work parallels that of environmental photographers such as Diane Tuft and Ellie Davies. He has also won accolades like Wildlife Photographer of the Year and has exhibited at the World Economic Forum. Yamagata, which has inspired figures like haiku poet Matsuo Basho, sees over 2,000 visitors each day during the Lunar New Year. The festival is scheduled from June 5 to June 30, 2025.