So, do you want to know a story? Why “Kixkillradio”?

Three years ago, I signed up in WordPress to start a figure photography blog.
I didn’t know what to write at first besides I don’t see myself as a good writer. All I know is I have a camera and I’ve got to showcase my lovely figure collection through photos.

Why Kixkillradio?

Hmm I’m getting this question a lot lately. So here’s my story, I tried signing up as killradio (kill-radio) in toy community forums and it wouldn’t let me. Being a punk rock and music lover, I wanted a handle name that describe my character. But it just wouldn’t let me because someone else is already registered with that name. I didn’t want a –123 at the end of killradio, so I added “kix” (kicks) instead. “Kix” is part of the name I used in my IRC days. With that, they let me signed up…(finally!).  I don’t want to have different names in other hobby related websites so I always use Kixkillradio.

I know many are confused how to pronounce it, it’s 3 words actually- Kicks-Kill-Radio. But if it’s
hard for you to pronounce it, you may call me Kix or Sheng. I saw fans in Vietnam abbreviated it to KKR which is pretty cool. I sounded like SNK (Shingeki No Kyojin) or AOT-ish (Attack On Titan).

I started out figure photography using mobile camera, my friend Eric would occasionally lend me his Nikon d5k- and I got hooked, I had fun taking pictures of my figures. Later on, I saved up and bought myself a decent camera for figure photos, which I still use until now. I got good reason to learn the basics, take photos and upload it in WordPress. Though, my early works looked pretty boring.

Sometime In 2011, I came across with works of Kodomut, Happy Soda, and the guy from Figure.fm
– I don’t know his name but I call him Otaku Ojisan. Their works are truly inspiring. I tried my best to improve myself in the craft, be creative and have fun doing it. I always mention these guys whenever I’m asked who inspired me to do all these because without them I won’t be where I am right now. I might be doing something else if not for them.

With such inspiration, I tried doing something different, something people will recognize that it’s my style of work. I don’t want to just snap a picture of a figure sitting on my desk with all the mess at the background. It has to be something unique, it has to be a story with props to make it look alive. It has to be fun. creative and cute.

Whenever I had struggle with the lighting.
These questions popped in my head,
“How did he do it?”
“How did he come up with something like this?”
I continuously research some tips and then I found Happy Soda’s work, good thing these people share their knowledge about figure photography. I also stumbled upon Tentacle Armada afterwards, he gives out really helpful tips and his sets are superb.

Figure photography is fun, it lets you in the tiny world of your figures. It momentarily gets you out of the real world and gives you a feeling of delight. I always want to leave my audience that feeling whenever they view my photos. I want to make them smile even for a brief moment where ever part of the world they may be.

We don’t know what some of the people are going through, we don’t know if some kids are able to enjoy toys like we do. So I am sharing this passion to make someone smile a bit by bringing my figures to life and create a story.

Whenever I get an email from fans telling me how the pictures made their day, it brings me joy. At least, I am successful in what I want to achieve in figure photography. It’s not just for myself, it’s for everybody.

I got a nice and precious reward from all these and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. It was totally unexpected working with figure manufacturers (Kotobukiya, Good Smile Company and Revoltech Philippines). I can say that I am blessed to be supported by these good people, great fans, amazing friends and family.

For me, it is important to do what you love and when you get the chance to do it, do it right and do
your best to be good at it. Even if you’re too absorbed with the adult world and life, you have to find time to do the things you enjoy.

Right now, I still have a lot to learn and understand. You know, life doesn’t stop when one of your dreams come true. You got to keep moving, dream again and make them happen. I keep these words in mind to remind me.

In the future, I want to see myself bringing more joy to people and I’m still in the process of figuring it out. Of course, you’d still find me here, doing things I love and tempting you to buy another nendoroid or figure to add in your collection. 🙂