Noriko Yamaguchi was born in Tochigi Prefecture. She graduated from the Department of Photography at Tokyo Institute of Polytechnics Junior College. After working in the photography department of Japanese magazine publisher Bungei Shunju, she became a freelance photographer. She primarily works for women’s and travel magazines.
Her series “The Man from Istanbul” was selected for the 2nd Tokyo Biennale. Her series “Street Performers” won the 16th Japan Magazine Photographers Association Award. Her photobooks include “I Was There,” which captures Eastern Europe on black-and-white film; “Yanagigouri,” which documents artisans who make traditional wicker trunks; and “Kikori – Trees Dream Long Dreams” about woodcutters in Aomori, a project that grew out of her interest in Japanese forestry.
Yamaguchi has also photographed numerous books on cooking and lifestyle. Her interests include travel, cats, and chocolate. She is vice president of the Japan Professional Photographers Society.