Kei Orihara (折原 恵) is a Japanese photographer and writer. Her work has appeared in publications in Japan, and in Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and the United States. Born in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, she studied at Chuo University (Tokyo). After a brief period working as a junior editor for a literary magazine, she began full-time freelance photo work, focusing on magazine interview assignments. She held her first solo exhibition “Soul South” in 1977.

Ms Orihara has lived in Tokyo, New York, Athens Georgia, and currently resides in California.