I recently had the pleasure of photographing June Jo Lee, a food ethnographer, for Food Technology Magazine. This assignment combined two things I love about editorial assignments, connecting with interesting people and creating portraits that tell a deeper story through their environment.
One of June Jo’s tasks as a food ethnographer is that she observes consumers in their natural settings to understand why they choose certain foods. Her research helps food companies and marketers understand human behavior and needs.
What Makes Environmental Portrait Photography Different
With environmental portrait photography, the location becomes part of the narrative. I photograph people in spaces that reveal who they are and add meaning to their story. For this Food Technology Magazine shoot, we created three distinct setups in June Jo's home, each showing different facets of her professional life and personal aesthetic.
Why June Jo's Space Was Perfect for Editorial Portraits
Sometimes you walk into someone's home and immediately know the shoot will work beautifully. June Jo's space was one of those moments. Her home reflects the same curiosity and attention to detail that defines her work as a food ethnographer:
The design layers create visual depth without feeling cluttered. Her color palette was already editorial-ready. Every corner had thoughtful touches that revealed her personality.
As someone who specializes in environmental portraits, I'm always looking for these kinds of spaces where the subject's character is already expressed visually. It makes the photography feel authentic and interesting.
Creating Variety for Magazine Editorial Work
Magazine editors need options, and for this assignment, the three different environmental portrait setups gave them flexibility to match images to different article sections or page layouts, and select the visual tone that best supports the piece.
I kept the lighting and compositional approach consistent across all three setups so the images would work together cohesively, even though each setup told a slightly different part of June Jo's story.
The Energy of Collaborative Portrait Sessions
June Jo was wonderful to work with, engaged, natural, and completely comfortable in her space. That collaborative energy matters tremendously in environmental portrait photography. When someone feels at ease in their environment, you can see it in the images.
Environmental Portrait Photography for Editorial and Commercial Clients
I work with editorial publications, local Bay Area businesses, and professionals who need portraits that go beyond standard headshots. Whether you're a magazine editor looking for compelling feature photography, a professional needing personal branding images, or a company wanting to showcase your team in authentic ways, environmental portraits create depth and tell a story that simple headshots can't achieve.
My approach emphasizes storytelling through thoughtful composition, beautiful lighting, and capturing people in spaces where they feel themselves.
