Meet 88-Year-Old Japanese Granny Who’s the ‘Queen of Selfies’

November 18, 2016

At age 88, photographer Kimiko Nishimoto has got to be the oldest selfie enthusiast out there.

Earlier this year, an acquaintance who discovered her hobby posted her collection of eccentric shots online, which immediately went viral. Her poses in unlikely situations revealed her quirky personality that has endeared her to the global audience. Viewers have posted generally positive comments, expressing their admiration and love to the granny photographer.

In July, the Japanese selfie queen from Kumamoto published her first photo collection titled ‘Hitori ja naka yo’ (You’re not alone), according to the Straits Times.

“I’m happy to see people enjoying my selfies,” Nishimoto told Japanese daily The Mainichi.

A beautician in her younger years, Nishimoto said she shifted to bicycle racing at age 22 after her professional cyclist younger brother inspired her to do so.

In her stint as a pro cyclist herself, she has reportedly achieved excellent results in several races. She chose to retire from the competitive sport upon her marriage so she can work part-time while raising three kids.

Nishimoto immediately made friends with younger photographers when her son organised a photography course for her 16 years ago. She enjoyed her new hobby so much that she soon set up her own studio at home.

“I will give a try to whatever interests me,” she thought, and so she started experimenting with different selfies.

Her growing photo collection has so far grown to include shots of her in a beer costume drinking beer, as a monkey in a cage or even in a garbage bag wrapped in trash.

Strong earthquakes hit Kumamoto prefecture back in April may have resulted in some cracks in her home, but her positivity remained intact.

“The quake caused a mess, but it is important to stay positive. If there are people who are let down, I want them to laugh through my photos. I will keep taking pictures that convey the joy of life,” she said.

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