We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Abner Ooi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Abner below.

Abner, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Early in my creative journey, I felt like the odd one out—the only one in my friend groups obsessed with cameras, storytelling, and the itch to shoot for the stars and chase an ambitious life of taking photos and creating videos for a living while travelling. I started to put myself out there and posted sporadically online on Instagram, half-hoping someone would ‘get it,’ but mostly just talking to the void. Then I stumbled on my friend Ryuju’s work. His photos and videos were striking, but it was his captions and storytelling—raw, philosophical, especially for his age as a person in his late teen years —that made me pause. Here was someone who spoke in the same wavelength I thought only existed in my head.

I started leaving comments, then slid into his DMs with complimenting his work. He replied. And we started talking and becoming friends. That alone felt like a minor miracle. But the real kindness came later, when he added me to a private group chat with his inner circle—a hive of hungry, talented creatives from around the world. Suddenly, I wasn’t the outlier anymore. These were my people: obsessives, dreamers, people who were truly passionate about what they make.

Ryuju didn’t just respond to a DM; he handed me a compass. Through that group, and even beyond that groupchat, I found collaborators, friends, and a sense of belonging that’s shaped everything since. None of it would’ve happened if he’d kept the door closed. It’s a reminder that kindness isn’t always grand gestures—sometimes, it’s just passing the baton to someone running the same race.

I can’t thank him enough for the kindness he has shown. I wouldn’t have been able to know the people I know today without him. My circle. My friends. Some even I would consider to be family. I’ve never been more motivated to chase my dreams of being a full time creative, and its all thanks to them.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, I’m Abner. I’m an aspiring creative originally from Borneo, Malaysia who is currently working toward his dream of moving to Japan to work as a full-time creative—shooting photos, making videos, and building a life around content creation there, helping international or local clients with telling their stories.

I originally picked up the camera when I was in my senior year of high school, my first camera was originally my sister’s but she never really used it that much, so I decided to borrow it from her and tried photography as a hobby. I immediately fell in love with the craft, just something about freezing a moment in time by capturing a photo felt special to me. Eventually after graduating high school I decided to pursue being a photographer and videographer.

When it comes to the services I provide, I shoot a variety of different types of photos and videos- portraits, lifestyle, cityscapes, travel etc. Whether it be promoting services or products for businesses, to capturing memories for couples. I like helping clients tell their stories, whether through promotional content, branding, or social media.

What sets me apart as a creative is my ability to infuse my work with raw emotion and immersive vibes—whether it’s through bright, energetic colors, cinematic storytelling, or moments that feel alive. I take pride in crafting visuals that don’t just capture a scene, but evoke something deeper: nostalgia that lingers, energy that jumps off the screen, or that euphoric ‘feel-good’ spark. My work isn’t just about what you see—it’s about what you feel when you see it.

I want to document my journey to show my generation—and those who come after—that dreams are still worth chasing, even in a world of uncertainty.
We’re facing rapid change: AI reshaping careers, climate threats looming, and futures feeling harder to predict. But here’s what I believe: If a random guy from Malaysia with a camera can carve his own path, so can you.
This isn’t just about me ‘making it.’ It’s proof that passion and persistence can cut through the noise. The world might feel unstable, but our ambition doesn’t have to be.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Japan is at a crossroads. While major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto grapple with overtourism, regional towns face the opposite crisis: dwindling populations, fading cultural heritage, and empty streets as younger generations leave for urban opportunities. With a declining birth rate and no new residents to sustain them, these communities risk becoming ghost towns—taking centuries of history with them.

One of my goals is to help reverse this trend. By directing tourism toward these overlooked regions, we can revive local economies, preserve traditions, and create incentives for young people to stay. It’s not just about saving towns; it’s about proving that Japan’s future isn’t limited to its megacities—and that its heart still beats in the countryside.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Two things: freedom and connection.

Freedom, because I get to express myself without limits—my work is my voice when words aren’t enough. And connection, because when someone tells me, ‘I never saw it that way before,’ it means I’ve shown them a piece of how I see the world.

That’s the magic. Making the ordinary feel new, and knowing others feel it too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://abnerooi.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abner.mp4/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3M2nWac7u1nkRj2XYvwX2Q

Image Credits

@taku.solis