Born in Osaka, Japan and raised in Tokyo, Teru began photographing while attending Hosei University as a science major, with late nights bartending and attending live music clubs.

He later moved to San Francisco, California where he attended art school with classes in photography and darkroom technique. He began working as a professional visual designer in 2000 with global design firm Gensler, where he developed and designed visual identities for a broad range of retail brands. He simultaneously a private studio in the city's Mission District where he experimented in different photography styles and techniques, using models he discovered in neighborhood bars and clubs.

His passion for photography continues today, except now it's in New York's Manhattan, where he continues his passion for searching the stories behind the faces of fashion models, actors, musicians, artists, children, and babies.
He currently works out of New York, with frequent trips to Tokyo.