This article is a translation of the original press release published by La-vie Factory on October 6, 2025.
It is shared here to help our international readers learn more about our social contribution activities.
A New CSR Initiative That Brings Photography to Life —
Challenging Educational Gaps and Inequality Through the SDGs
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of its founding, La-vie Factory has launched a new social contribution project that uses the power of photography to connect people and convey hope for the future.
From August 13 to 18, 2025, photographers joined a study tour organized by H.I.S. Co., Ltd., visiting two elementary schools in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to photograph the children at school.
The photos were later compiled into albums, which were presented to the schools as gifts.
Project Background
Founded in Kobe in 1995, La-vie Factory began as a wedding photography brand that constantly challenged convention to redefine the value of photography.
Today, the company offers photography services not only for weddings but also for family milestones and life celebrations, serving over 40,000 clients each year.
However, in many parts of the world, the culture of “preserving memories through photographs” is still not deeply rooted.
The goal of this project is to provide children who have no photographs with the experience of preserving their school memories in the form of an album.
We believe this experience will become a cherished record for the children to look back on in the future, while helping to establish a local culture of keeping photographs as part of life.
Believing in the power of photography to touch hearts, La-vie Factory launched this initiative with the mission of expanding the possibilities of visual storytelling.
By giving everyone an equal opportunity to record their lives through photography, this project directly contributes to the SDG goals “Quality Education for All” and “Reduced Inequalities.”
Activity Report
- Implementation Period: August 13–18, 2025
- Location: Two elementary schools in Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Svay Lou Elementary School (approx. 1,000 students)
• Kochan Elementary School (approx. 400 students) - Partners: H.I.S. Co., Ltd. / NPO HERO
Activity Overview：
1 , Professional photographers captured classroom scenes and everyday moments.
2 , We brought instant cameras to give children the experience of “seeing their photos right away.”
3 , The photos taken will be made into an album and later presented to the school.
4 , In collaboration with the NPO HERO, we also conducted interviews to learn about local education and its challenges.
Classroom Scenes and Everyday Moments
Experiencing the Joy of Seeing Photos Instantly
Project Leader Profile
Affiliated with the Overseas & Inbound Division of the LEC Group / La-vie Factory,
the project leader is a veteran wedding photographer with extensive experience in domestic and international photography.
As the planner and promoter of this initiative, he is committed to utilizing “the power of photography” to enrich education and cultural exchange.
Hideto Muro : Project Leader’s Comment
“To leave photographs for children who have none—
I believe this is one of the most meaningful forms of social contribution that photographers can make.
After meeting the children in person, I deeply felt that their smiles must be preserved.
I am now convinced that this is a mission that La-vie Factory should fulfill.”
Future Outlook
La-vie Factory aims to continue this initiative as an ongoing CSR program rather than a one-time volunteer effort.
In September 2025, the team once again joined the H.I.S. Cambodia tour to personally deliver the albums created from the August photo sessions to the schools.
Plans are already in place to continue this activity into 2026 and beyond.
Looking ahead, we will collaborate with companies and organizations experienced in volunteer activities,
as well as photographers who share our vision, to bring the joy of preserving memories through photographs to more children.
In the long term, the project also aims to support camera donations and photography training,
so that local communities can one day capture and preserve their own stories.
